Which of the following is NOT a function of the compressor?

The correct answer indicates that cooling the refrigerant is not a function of the compressor. The primary role of the compressor in a refrigeration or air conditioning system is to compress the refrigerant, effectively increasing its pressure and temperature to facilitate heat transfer. The compressor takes low-pressure refrigerant vapor and compresses it into high-pressure vapor, thereby moving it through the system.

While the compressor does contribute indirectly to the system's ability to cool through its operation—by enabling the refrigerant to release heat and condense in the condenser—it does not directly cool the refrigerant. That function is primarily performed by the evaporator, where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor space, and in the condenser, where it dissipates heat to the outside environment.

The function of circulating the refrigerant is also a task that the compressor performs. It creates the necessary pressure differential that drives the refrigerant through the system, ensuring that it moves from the evaporator to the condenser and back again. This circulation is critical for maintaining the refrigeration cycle.

In summary, while the compressor is central to the refrigeration cycle, compressing the refrigerant and increasing its pressure are its primary functions, while actual cooling of the refrigerant is managed by other components in the system.