What is a key characteristic of a closed-loop system in HVAC?

A closed-loop system in HVAC primarily recirculates refrigerant within the system, meaning that it is designed to keep the refrigerant contained and prevent leaks. This characteristic ensures that the refrigerant is reused repeatedly in the cooling or heating cycle, which contributes to greater energy efficiency and minimizes environmental impact by preventing harmful substances from escaping into the atmosphere.

The integrity of the closed-loop design helps maintain system efficiency while adhering to regulatory requirements regarding refrigerant management. This is particularly significant in contexts where refrigerant leaks could lead to significant environmental damage or regulatory violations.

Additionally, a closed-loop system does not allow refrigerant to escape, nor does it rely on open spray nozzles or require intricate manual controls for its basic operation, as those attributes are more indicative of open systems or different types of controls used in other configurations.