Is an outdoor air-temperature sensor a component of heat pumps that differs from central air-conditioning systems?

An outdoor air-temperature sensor is indeed a component of heat pumps that sets them apart from traditional central air-conditioning systems. This sensor plays a crucial role in how heat pumps operate, particularly in their ability to both heat and cool a space by adjusting their operation based on the outdoor temperature.

In heating mode, the outdoor air-temperature sensor allows the heat pump to extract heat from the outside air, even in colder conditions, and bring it indoors. This capability is essential for heat pumps, which must efficiently manage the transfer of heat from outside to inside. The sensor provides critical data to the system's controls, ensuring the heat pump operates effectively across varying temperature conditions.

In contrast, central air-conditioning systems primarily function by removing heat from inside the building and expelling it outdoors. They typically do not require the same temperature sensing capabilities to run effectively, since they are designed mainly for cooling rather than for dynamic heating and cooling responses that heat pumps utilize.

Thus, the presence of the outdoor air-temperature sensor is integral to a heat pump's functionality and distinguishes it from conventional central air-conditioning systems, making the statement true.