What HVAC component is primarily responsible for removing heat from indoor air?

The air conditioner is specifically designed to remove heat from indoor air, utilizing a refrigeration cycle that involves evaporating and condensing refrigerant. Through this process, heat is absorbed from the indoor environment and expelled outside, resulting in a cooling effect within the space.

While a heat pump can also remove heat from indoor air, it operates similarly to an air conditioner but can also function in reverse during colder months to provide heating. A furnace, on the other hand, generates heat and distributes it through the space, rather than removing heat. A dehumidifier focuses on reducing moisture levels in the air, which may help in making spaces feel cooler but does not directly remove heat in the same manner as an air conditioner. Thus, the primary role of the air conditioner in this context is to cool indoor air by effectively removing heat.