Final answer:
Moisture in a refrigeration system can cause refrigerant line blockages, form acids that corrode components, and lead to ice formation on evaporator coils, reducing efficiency and causing increased energy consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
If moisture is left in an operating refrigeration system, it can lead to several issues. Moisture in the system can freeze and obstruct the refrigerant lines, causing a blockage that impedes the flow of the refrigerant. This blockage reduces the system's efficiency in transferring heat from the inside of the refrigerator to the outside environment. During the refrigeration cycle, moisture can also react with the refrigerant and oil, resulting in the formation of acids that can corrode the internal components of the refrigerator.
Additionally, moisture can cause ice to form on the evaporator coils, leading to an insulating effect which reduces the coils' ability to absorb heat from the refrigerator's interior. This ultimately can lead to a failure to maintain the desired temperature and increased energy consumption as the system works harder to compensate for the loss in cooling capacity.