What component is housed within a condensing unit?

The condensing unit is a critical component of a refrigeration or air conditioning system, and it primarily houses both the compressor and the condenser.

The compressor is essential for the refrigeration cycle as it compresses the refrigerant, increasing its pressure and temperature before sending it to the condenser. The condenser then cools this high-pressure refrigerant, typically by rejecting heat to the outside environment. This process transforms the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid, allowing it to flow back into the evaporator for the next phase of the cycle.

This distinction is important because the other components listed are part of different sections of an HVAC system. The evaporator and expansion valve are typically found in the indoor unit, the filter and accumulator are often related to liquid line configurations and also do not reside in the condensing unit, and the air handler and blower are located in the indoor portion of the system. Thus, the presence of the compressor and condenser in the condensing unit is what makes this answer the most accurate.