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How Your AC’s Expansion Valve Affects Cooling

Home improvement

Have you ever wondered how your air conditioner keeps your home cool? One small but essential part plays a major role in the cooling process: the expansion valve. If this component isn’t working correctly, you may experience warm air blowing from your vents, skyrocketing energy bills, or even a frozen AC unit. Let’s take a closer look at how your AC’s expansion valve affects cooling and what to do if it malfunctions.

What Does an AC Expansion Valve Do?

Your AC system relies on refrigerant to absorb and release heat, keeping your home cool. However, before the refrigerant can work its magic inside your home, it needs to go through the expansion valve. This valve has two main jobs:

  1. Regulating Refrigerant Flow – The expansion valve controls how much refrigerant enters the evaporator coil, ensuring it turns into a gas and effectively absorbs heat.
  2. Lowering Pressure – For the refrigerant to cool properly, it must be at a lower pressure. The valve allows just the right amount of refrigerant through, keeping the cooling process efficient.

Without a functioning expansion valve, your AC can’t properly regulate temperature, leading to various cooling problems.

Signs of a Faulty Expansion Valve

Over time, your AC’s expansion valve can wear out or become clogged. Here are some common signs that it may need attention:

  • Warm Air from Vents – If your AC is blowing warm or inconsistent air, the expansion valve may not be delivering the right amount of refrigerant to the evaporator coil.
  • Constantly Running AC – When the valve malfunctions, it might allow too much refrigerant through, causing your system to work overtime and increasing energy costs.
  • Whistling Noises – A whistling or hissing sound from your AC unit can indicate an issue with the valve regulating refrigerant flow.
  • Frozen Evaporator Coils – If too much refrigerant enters the coil, it can cause ice buildup, which reduces efficiency and can damage your system.
  • Fluctuating Temperatures – A faulty expansion valve may struggle to control refrigerant levels, leading to sudden temperature shifts in your home.

What to Do If Your Expansion Valve Fails

If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s best to call a professional HVAC technician to inspect your system. Replacing an expansion valve is not a DIY job since it involves handling refrigerant, which requires special tools and expertise.

A technician will –

  • Turn off the AC and safely remove the faulty expansion valve.
  • Inspect refrigerant levels and ensure there are no leaks.
  • Install a new valve and restore system pressure.
  • Test the AC to ensure proper cooling performance.

If your AC isn’t cooling as it should, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Call HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Drains today for expert AC repairs and maintenance!