AC Repair: 3 Signs Your Expansion Valve Is Going Bad

Despite being an inconspicuous component, your AC's expansion valve plays the crucial role of regulating how much refrigerant flows into the evaporator coil. The slightest damage can trigger erratic AC operation, which will wear down the equipment. That's why you should schedule routine AC inspections and let your repair technician address arising cut-off valve malfunctions. Here are three signs of expansion valve malfunction your AC repair service looks for.

Frozen Coils

Residential air conditioner units work on the premise of supercooling a liquid refrigerant so it can absorb latent heat from your indoor spaces. Essentially, the refrigerant is the medium the cooling equipment uses to draw out heat from indoor spaces, allowing your home to be cozy.

The expansion valve regulates how much refrigerant flows into the evaporator coil because if the fluid is too little, it won't sufficiently absorb the latent heat from your indoor spaces. On the other hand, if too much refrigerant flows into the evaporator coils, this component will freeze. And since the expansion valve functions as a cut-off, if it malfunctions, the latter will transpire.

Frozen coils significantly compromise your AC's functionality because this component is the cooling equipment's workhorse. AC repair services will address the underlying issue and restore your equipment to proper function.

Long Cycles

Another indication of expansion valve malfunction is long AC cycles. It's quite natural for your cooling unit to run longer than is usual when the summer heat escalates. However, if the equipment seems to be running on end, it's an indication that its operation is compromised.

Since there could be a lot of things causing your cooling equipment to run continuously, your AC technician will conduct an in-depth inspection to determine the root of the problem. If the culprit is a malfunctioned cut-off valve, the technician will restore it to proper function, allowing your equipment to automatically stop running when your indoor spaces are sufficiently cooled automatically.

Odd Noises

Yet another telltale sign of a malfunctioning cut-off valve that's hard to miss is odd noises. Of course, all cooling units hum when they're running, but the sound is usually understated, and you'll hardly notice it. So if there's an audible noise emanating from the cooling equipment, your repair technician will treat this as an emergency. And since odd noises can be indications of several AC repair issues, the technician will thoroughly inspect the equipment to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. In case they find out that the expansion valve is bad, they'll recommend a repair or replacement depending on the severity of the damage.

Now that you know the crucial role the expansion valve plays, don't hesitate to contact your AC repair technician for routine unit inspection as this is the surefire way to keep the cut-off valve in excellent condition.


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