As a homeowner in Cedar Hill, TX, your air conditioner plays a significant role in the level of comfort you enjoy during the summer months. Temperatures hover around 100 degrees during this time.
However, you probably don’t know how the various components in your air conditioner work. This is why it’s easy to miss potential faults when they develop. One component that plays a crucial role in the cooling process that you’ve most likely never heard of is the AC expansion valve.
What is it, and what does it do? Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating, the leading AC repair company in Cedar Hill, TX, covers the details in this post.
Explaining How the AC Expansion Valve Works in the Air Conditioner Serving Your Home in Cedar Hill, TX
The expansion valve is a component that controls the flow of refrigerant between the condenser and evaporator coils.
The refrigerant is a key aspect of the heat absorption process. When you turn on the air conditioner, the refrigerant will flow from the condenser as a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. However, it must cool down before it gets to the evaporator coil. That’s where the AC expansion valve comes into play.
The expansion valve lowers the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant as it passes through it, converting it into a cool, low-pressure liquid. In that state, the compound can effectively absorb heat from your indoor space when it gets to the evaporator coils.
That’s essentially the bulk of the expansion valve’s job. However, it also determines how much refrigerant will go into the evaporator coil. It has to get the balance right because if it doesn’t deliver enough refrigerant, your air conditioner will no longer produce enough cool air, if at all.
On the other hand, releasing too much refrigerant will flood the unit and potentially damage it.
Top Signs of AC Expansion Valve Problems
Air conditioners have many parts working together to deliver the level of comfort you desire. Therefore, it can be hard to know the source of problems when they arise. Roughly 90% of homeowners use air conditioners, but few can tell what is wrong with their air conditioners.
You should have a technician check out your AC expansion valve if you notice any of the following problems.
Warm Air Coming From the Vents
Is your air conditioner blowing warm air? It’s possible that you have a faulty AC expansion valve. The valve may not be delivering enough refrigerant to the evaporator coil. In most cases, this occurs when there’s a refrigerant leak somewhere in the line. Other times, it could be an issue with the valve itself.
The best way to know for certain is to have an experienced technician complete a thorough check.
Unreasonably Long Cooling Cycles
In an air conditioner in excellent shape, the AC expansion valve will shut off the refrigerant supply when your home has reached a desired temperature. This will allow the compressor to shut down and end the cooling cycle.
If the expansion valve fails to regulate the flow of refrigerant and keeps delivering it to the evaporator coil, the compressor will keep running for long periods.
If your air conditioner runs longer cycles every time, your energy bills will skyrocket. Your home might also start to feel too cold. After running longer cycles for a few months, the AC’s compressor will also likely give up, saddling you with an expensive repair job to do.
Whistling Noise
Can you hear a whistling noise while your air conditioner is working? It’s a clear sign that the refrigerant is flowing from the AC expansion valve with excessive force. This occurs when the valve can’t maintain the correct pressure. This issue will make your air conditioner less efficient.
Frozen Coils
If your expansion valve has poor refrigerant control and allows too much of the compound into the evaporator coil, the coil might freeze over if it gets too cold.
You may be wondering how an evaporator coil will freeze over in your home during the summer here in Cedar Hill, TX, but it can happen. If you see ice accumulating around the air conditioner, shut it down to prevent further damage.
Get Further Guidance From Your Local HVAC Experts in Cedar Hill, TX
Do you want to learn more about how your AC expansion valve works? Is your AC fan not spinning? Whatever your AC needs, you can count on our crew for professional guidance and custom solutions.
Call Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating in Cedar Hill, TX, today at 972-291-0740 to schedule a consultation. Learn more now.
