Your air conditioning system relies on more than just a pair of coils to lower the temperature of your home. While coils are essential to its cooling process, it also uses a compressor and expansion valve. The compressor and expansion valve are refrigerant-regulating devices. They regulate the refrigerant’s pressure as it flows through your air conditioning system. What’s the difference between the compressor and expansion valve exactly?
Overview of the Compressor
The compressor lives up to its namesake by compressing the refrigerant. It’s located between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. While inside of the evaporator coil, the refrigerant will absorb heat. It will then travel through the compressor before entering the condenser coil. The compressor’s job is to pack the refrigerant molecules tightly together by compressing it.
Why the Compressor Is Important
Without a functional compressor, your air conditioning system won’t work. It’s designed to compress the refrigerant so that the maximum amount of heat will be released from the refrigerant. If the compressor fails, the refrigerant may remain warm or hot as it travels through your air conditioning system. At the same time, the compressor essentially pumps refrigerant through your air conditioning system. Therefore, compressor failure can lead to stagnant refrigerant that doesn’t move between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil.
Overview of the Expansion Valve
The expansion valve, on the other hand, removes pressure from the refrigerant. Before entering the evaporator coil, the refrigerant must travel through the expansion valve. There are different types of expansion valves, some of which include thermal, fixed orifice and capillary tube. Regardless, they are all designed to remove pressure from the refrigerant. When the refrigerant leaves the condenser coil, it will pass through the expansion valve where some of the pressure is removed.
Why the Expansion Valve Is Important
Like the compressor, the expansion valve is an important part of your air conditioning system. It works like the compressor but in reverse. While the compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant, the expansion valve decreases the refrigerant’s pressure. This reduction in pressure causes the refrigerant to expand, which is why this component is known as an “expansion valve.” The expansion valve will release some of the excess pressure so that the refrigerant expands.
If you believe your air conditioning system’s compressor or expansion valve isn’t working, don’t wait to get it fixed. Contact a professional heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician today.
