What is the term for the heat that increases the temperature of a refrigerant?

The term that refers to the heat which increases the temperature of a refrigerant is known as sensible heat. This type of heat is associated with a change in temperature without a change in state. When energy is added to a refrigerant in the form of sensible heat, its temperature rises, allowing it to move through different stages of a refrigeration cycle effectively.

In contrast, latent heat is the heat energy required for a phase change (such as from liquid to gas) without a change in temperature. Superheat refers specifically to the heat added to a refrigerant after it has completely evaporated, raising its temperature further. Subcooling describes the process of cooling a liquid refrigerant below its saturation temperature, again without a change in state. Each of these terms describes different thermal processes, but sensible heat is unique in that it directly correlates to a rise in temperature for the refrigerant without changing its phase.