What does the term "latent heat" refer to in refrigeration?

Latent heat refers to the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance when it undergoes a phase change without a change in temperature. In the context of refrigeration, this is crucial during processes like the transition of refrigerant from liquid to gas in the evaporator or from gas back to liquid in the condenser.

When a refrigerant absorbs latent heat in the evaporator, it changes from a liquid to a gas, allowing for effective cooling by drawing heat from the surrounding environment. Conversely, when it condenses back into a liquid in the condenser, it releases that latent heat.

Understanding latent heat is fundamental in refrigeration because it highlights the efficiency of the refrigerant in transferring heat through phase changes, which is essential for maintaining temperature control in light commercial refrigeration systems. Therefore, the focus on heat absorbed during a phase change accurately captures the essence of what latent heat signifies within this context.