Which refrigeration device functions similarly to the circulator in a hydronic heating system?

The compressor serves a role in a refrigeration system that is analogous to the function of the circulator in a hydronic heating system. In both systems, the primary task is to move the working fluid—water in hydronics and refrigerant in refrigeration—from one location to another, ensuring effective heat transfer throughout the system.

In the hydronic heating system, the circulator pump moves hot water from the boiler to the radiators or heating units and brings cooler water back to the boiler for reheating. Similarly, in refrigeration, the compressor pumps the refrigerant throughout the system. It compresses the low-pressure refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature, and circulates it through the evaporator and condenser. By doing this, the compressor ensures that the refrigerant reaches the necessary pressure levels for heat absorption and rejection, allowing the system to maintain its cooling cycle effectively.

Understanding the role of the compressor in this context illuminates the essential function of circulation in both heating and cooling systems and underscores the importance of maintaining fluid movement for system efficiency.