What happens when the expansion valve is malfunctioning?

When the expansion valve is malfunctioning, it can disrupt the proper flow of refrigerant within the system. The expansion valve is responsible for controlling the amount of refrigerant that enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the environment to produce cooling. If the valve is stuck open or closed, or if it is not functioning as intended, it can lead to an improper refrigerant flow. This can manifest as either too much refrigerant entering the evaporator, leading to flooding and decreased efficiency, or too little refrigerant, resulting in inadequate cooling and increased pressures within the system.

An improperly functioning expansion valve means the critical balance necessary for efficient heat exchange and cooling is lost, which can compromise the entire system's performance. Adjusting the flow characteristics of the refrigerant is essential for maintaining effective heat absorption and cooling capabilities, which is why the state of the expansion valve is so crucial in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.