An expansion valve assists in an air conditioner’s cooling process. If you’re asking, “What does an expansion valve do in an AC system?” you might wonder if you need to schedule a repair or replacement for it. It’s not a good idea to delay this because, without this valve, your home won’t feel cool during the Littleton summer.
As a professional HVAC team offering expert AC repair services in Littleton, Southwest Heating & Air Conditioning Repair put together the following information to explain why.
Refrigerant Expansion
Understanding what an expansion valve does requires knowing how an air conditioner actually cools your home.
To circulate cool air, the air conditioner removes hot air. During this cooling process, your system’s refrigerant starts as a liquid before expanding to gas and then turning into liquid again. Refrigerant absorbs the heat in the hot air, which intensifies the pressure.
The pressure must be lower for the refrigerant to enter the evaporator coil as a liquid, the place it converts into a gas. That’s where the thermal expansion valve comes in, which is the proper name for an expansion valve.
The Role of an Expansion Valve in Your Air Conditioner in Littleton, Colorado
What does an expansion valve do in an AC system? The expansion valve manages the hot refrigerant flow to the evaporator. It does this by reducing the liquid pressure built up in the flow. After this, the refrigerant can become a gas, and the cooling continues.
Some call this reaction a “temperature drop,” but it’s not. It happens because the expansion valve lowers the refrigerant pressure so much that it feels like temperature control.
A large part of being able to relax in a cool home during the summer comes from the work of the expansion valve, especially the pressure drop it creates. If the pressure never drops, your home never cools.
Three Signs That the Expansion Valve Doesn't Work
The following symptoms appear when the expansion valve loses refrigerant control.
#1 The Air Conditioner Experiences Electrical Problems
When the expansion valve malfunctions, it overwhelms the system with the same intensity as the sun glaring through a window. The overheating interferes with all the electrical elements of the system. The air conditioning unit melts down, unable to handle the cooling process.
#2 The Unit Makes Noises
Your air conditioner will whistle when the refrigerant flow is out of control. This happens when the valve pressure dissipates. The refrigerant creates this sound as it struggles through the unit.
#3 The Air Conditioner Runs With No End in Sight
When the valve works correctly, it closes after the cooling stage completes. When it doesn’t, your air conditioner will continue to run longer than it should. An air conditioner that continuously runs will increase your electric bill, another common sign of a malfunctioning expansion valve.
Repair or Replace Your Expansion Valve Quickly
When the expansion valve gives you trouble, call your local HVAC professionals right away. The expansion valve lasts up to a decade as long as you keep up with regular maintenance and no outside forces damage the air conditioner. However, when this part goes bad, it quickly degrades the rest of the system, damaging every part of the structure without a quick intervention.
Now that you can answer the question, “What does an expansion valve do in an AC system?” you are better equipped to notice when it’s not working right and when to call in the professionals.
Contact Southwest Heating & Air Conditioning Repair for All of Your Cooling Services in Littleton, CO
If your AC can’t keep up, Southwest Heating & Air Conditioning Repair can fix it. We can even replace the expansion valve so it optimizes the refrigerant flow. This will make your house feel fresh again.
You can read our reviews to find out what our loyal customers say about our excellent customer care and professional HVAC services. We’ve earned a five-star reputation for dependable solutions that keep our customers comfortable during the Littleton summer.
Don’t settle for sitting in your house sweating in the summer heat. If something goes wrong with the expansion valve or any other part of your air conditioner, we’re ready to help.
What does an expansion valve do in an AC system? When does it need a repair? Let us answer all your air conditioner-related questions and provide top-tier service that you can always rely on. Contact our team at Southwest Heating & Air Conditioning Repair at 303-791-2679 to schedule your service in Littleton, Colorado.