What do evaporators typically absorb heat from?

Evaporators are crucial components in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They function primarily by absorbing heat from the surrounding environment to facilitate the cooling process. In a typical scenario, evaporators absorb heat from the building air. As warm air passes over the evaporator coils, the refrigerant inside those coils evaporates at low pressure and absorbs heat, thereby cooling the air that is circulated back into the building.

This process is essential for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. The effectiveness of an evaporator is determined by its ability to absorb heat from the air in the space being cooled, which is why building air is the correct answer. In contrast, other options like water, ground, and refrigerant do not represent the primary source of heat that an evaporator is designed to absorb in standard air conditioning and refrigeration systems.