Which HVAC component is responsible for absorbing heat from inside a building?

The evaporator coil is the component that absorbs heat from inside a building. This coil is a critical part of air conditioning systems and refrigeration units. When the refrigerant flows through the evaporator coil, it absorbs heat from the indoor air that is blown across the coil by the air handler. As the refrigerant absorbs this heat, it transitions from a liquid state to a gaseous state, which effectively removes heat from the indoor environment, cooling down the space.

The evaporator coil's operation is essential to the overall cooling process, as it lowers the temperature of the air circulating through the system. This cooling effect is vital for maintaining comfortable indoor conditions.

Other components such as the air handler, which moves air through the system, do not directly absorb heat but rather facilitate air movement. The heat exchanger has a different role primarily related to transferring heat between two fluids and is not specifically meant for the absorption of heat from the inside environment. The cooling tower is generally used in outdoor applications to dissipate heat from chilled water systems and does not play a role in cooling indoor air directly. Thus, the evaporator coil is the primary component responsible for the heat absorption process in HVAC systems, making it the correct choice.