Braving Ocala’s heat is easier when you’ve got a properly running AC unit at home. Sadly, these comforts can quickly be interrupted when your unit’s expansion valve develops an issue.
True, as far as components go, the expansion valve is quite small. However, it plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient cooling. This is why it’s important to keep an eye out for some of the common bad AC expansion valve symptoms so you can know when to schedule professional AC repair in Ocala, FL.
What Does an Expansion Valve Do?
Understanding what your expansion valve does and how it works is the best way to spot any issues you might encounter with this essential component.
Contrary to what you might think, your air conditioner doesn’t actually produce cool air. Instead, it uses a refrigerant to absorb the heat from the air in your Ocala home. This refrigerant is passed back and forth between your unit’s condenser and evaporator coils.
When leaving the condenser coil, the refrigerant is under high pressure. Therefore, it must pass through the expansion valve for the pressure to drop and for it to expand and cool before entering the evaporator coil.
This goes a long way in ensuring it absorbs the heat properly, directly impacting how well your AC unit performs.
Does the AC Unit in Your Ocala Home Have a Bad Expansion Valve?
Here are a few bad AC expansion valve symptoms that should help you determine whether your expansion valve needs fixing.
Inconsistent Cooling
A bad expansion valve will make it hard for your AC unit to maintain a comfortable, consistent temperature. You could start noticing uneven cooling throughout different rooms or warm air blowing from vents.
Unusual AC Noises
Are you hearing gurgling or hissing sounds coming from your air conditioner? This often means that the refrigerant is having a difficult time passing through the expansion valve.
If this is the case, your unit could start experiencing pressure fluctuations, leading to further complications if left unaddressed. In extreme cases, these fluctuations might damage other internal components, resulting in a complete system breakdown.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
The expansion valve’s main role is to regulate and depressurize the refrigerant. If the valve has a problem, this process will be disrupted. As a result, the refrigerant will get too cold and eventually freeze the evaporator coil.
AC Unit Is Constantly Running
A malfunctioning expansion valve often fails to shut off properly. When this happens, your unit won’t stop running and will continue to feed refrigerant into the compressor.
This might not sound that severe. However, a constantly running AC unit will only strain the compressor. This will cause it to degrade faster and need replacing a lot sooner. There’s also the issue of the high energy bills you’ll have to deal with as a result.
What To Do About a Bad Expansion Valve
That last thing you want in Ocala’s heat is a poorly performing AC unit. So, what can you do when you start noticing bad AC expansion valve symptoms?
Conduct a Visual Inspection
Visual inspections are a great way of confirming your suspicions. You should mainly look for any sign that shows the refrigerant isn’t flowing through your unit correctly. Some of these signs include AC refrigerant leaks as well as frost buildup around the expansion valve.
Does the valve’s exterior show symptoms of physical damage or corrosion? Chances are, its interior is also compromised.
Call a Professional
Once you’ve known for certain that you are dealing with a bad expansion valve, your next step should be to consult a professional.
Fixing the problem won’t be as simple as repairing or replacing the valve. Since your unit’s internal components are all linked, the issue will have likely affected something else. For example, on top of a faulty valve, the compressor could need fixing as well.
With all this in mind, it’s always best to leave the repairs to a certified technician. They’ll give your unit a full assessment before performing all the necessary repairs.
Ocala’s Trusted AC Repair Pros
Are you experiencing inconsistent cooling, unusual AC noises, or poor AC performance? These are all tell-tale bad AC expansion valve symptoms.
Thankfully, we’ve got seasoned pros who are experts at dealing with such issues. What’s more, they’re ready to offer you the guidance you need, recommending proper solutions and helping you know the best time to replace an AC. Call Fast Air Heating & Cooling today!