What is the term used for adding heat to a saturated refrigerant gas?

The term used for adding heat to a saturated refrigerant gas is referred to as superheating, or superheat (SH). When refrigerant vapor is in a saturated state, it exists at a specific temperature and pressure, where it is on the verge of condensing into a liquid. By adding heat to this saturated vapor, its temperature increases while remaining in a gaseous state. This process enhances the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle, ensuring that the refrigerant can absorb more heat in the evaporator before it condenses in the condenser.

Understanding superheat is crucial for the proper functioning of HVAC systems, as it helps prevent liquid refrigerant from returning to the compressor, which can cause significant damage. This is particularly important in system diagnostics, where measuring superheat can indicate proper refrigerant charge and overall system performance.