How does a refrigerator move heat?
A refrigerator uses electrical work to move heat from its cooler interior into the warmer room through a repeating refrigerant cycle.
Absorb heat inside
Low-pressure refrigerant passes through the evaporator. It absorbs heat from the compartment and evaporates, cooling the interior.
Read the complete explanation +
Absorb heat inside
Low-pressure refrigerant passes through the evaporator. It absorbs heat from the compartment and evaporates, cooling the interior.
Add mechanical work
The compressor draws in vapor and compresses it. Electrical work increases the refrigerant’s pressure and temperature.
Release heat to the room
Hot refrigerant flows through the condenser and releases heat to the surrounding room. It condenses toward a liquid state.
Reduce pressure and repeat
The expansion device lowers pressure. The resulting cold mixture enters the evaporator and the cycle repeats.
About this visual model +
An open refrigerator cabinet reveals its cold evaporator shelf. The compressor below and condenser coil beside the cabinet show how heat leaves the food compartment. Refrigerant travels in a closed circuit.
Conceptual vapor-compression cycle. The refrigerant, pressure, temperature, and component arrangement vary by appliance.
- Evaporator: Refrigerant absorbs heat from the refrigerator interior as it evaporates.
- Compressor: Uses electrical energy to compress refrigerant vapor, raising its pressure and temperature.
- Condenser: Hot refrigerant releases heat to the room and condenses into liquid.
- Expansion device: Reduces refrigerant pressure before it returns to the evaporator.
Further reading: Heat pumps and refrigerators ↗