What is the primary function of the condenser in an air conditioning system?

The primary function of the condenser in an air conditioning system is to cool down and condense refrigerant from a vapor to a liquid. This process occurs after the refrigerant gas, which has absorbed heat from the indoor environment, enters the condenser. The condenser is located outside the building and is designed to release the heat absorbed from the indoor air to the outside environment.

As the refrigerant gas passes through the condenser coils, it comes into contact with cooler outdoor air. The cooler air facilitates the removal of heat from the refrigerant, causing the vapor to cool and transition into a liquid state. This phase change is essential for the refrigeration cycle to continue, as it allows the refrigerant to return to the evaporator to absorb more heat and maintain the cooling process.

In contrast, the other options describe functions that are not performed by the condenser. Expanding the refrigerant is the role of the expansion valve, filtering contaminants is the function of air filters, and regulating temperature in the evaporator pertains to maintaining the proper operation of the evaporator coil rather than the condenser itself. Therefore, the correct understanding of the role of the condenser is vital for comprehending the overall function of an air conditioning system.