Abstract: A refrigeration system which comprises a compressor, an evaporator to which liquid refrigerant compressed by the compressor is supplied through a flow restrictor, and return means which direct refrigerant expanded in the evaporator back to the compressor. The return means include an accumulator in which liquid refrigerant leaving said evaporator may collect, and heating means either integral with or attached to the accumulator. The heating means are adapted to supply heat energy to the liquid refrigerant collected by said accumulator in order to promote its evaporation, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration system. The heating means may be controlled by a microprocessor.