The boiling point of most refrigerants is 212 °F.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It varies widely
• D. It is always below room temperature

Answer: (B)

Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes vapor at a given pressure. Refrigerants are chosen so they boil inside the evaporator at temperatures well below room temperature, which lets them absorb heat efficiently. At standard atmospheric pressure, the boiling points of common refrigerants vary widely, and many are far below 100°C (212°F). In HVAC systems, evaporator temperatures are typically well below freezing, so the refrigerants boil at much lower temperatures rather than at 212°F. Because of this variability and the dependence on operating pressure, the statement that most refrigerants boil at 212°F is false.