In HVAC terminology, what is "superheat"?

Superheat refers to the temperature of a gas that is above its boiling point at a specific pressure. In the context of HVAC and refrigeration systems, superheat is crucial for ensuring that the refrigerant vapor is completely gaseous and does not contain any liquid refrigerant that could damage the compressor.

When refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator coil, it absorbs heat and becomes a vapor. If the temperature of this vapor rises above the saturation temperature (the boiling point) for that pressure, it is referred to as superheat. This condition improves the efficiency of the system by ensuring appropriate compression and preventing potential compressor damage due to liquid refrigerant entering it.

The other options relate to different aspects of refrigerant behavior but do not accurately define superheat as it is specifically focused on the condition of a gas that exceeds its boiling point under given pressures. Recognizing superheat is essential for proper system performance and troubleshooting in HVAC and refrigeration applications.