Ductless Air Conditioning in Kenner – What Is an Expansion Valve?

An expansion valve is a piece of equipment that reduces pressure in a system. The most common form of these valves is a thermal expansion valve (TMV), which is used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The two main types of air conditioner expansion valves are thermostatic expansion valves and capillary tubes.

Mitsubishi Ductless Air Conditioning Systems in Kenner – Expansion Valve.

A thermostatic expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant and can function at various temperatures or pressures. The capillary tube is responsible for transmitting the pressure levels in the system to the sensing tube attached to the TMV and basically acts as a throttle. An air conditioning unit has three main parts: the compressor, condenser, and evaporator. This valve is part of the evaporator.

Ductless AC Systems in Kenner – The Capillary Tube.

The capillary tube contains a filter on one end made of a fine mesh, which prevents debris from getting inside the tube. It works in much the same way as a thermostatic expansion valve, but it cannot withstand significant changes in temperature or pressure. The capillary tube is designed for constant temperature and pressure, and operates as a throttle between the condenser and evaporator.

Ductless Air Conditioner in Kenner – Cooling Process.

The tube is typically long and narrow to allow for some Freon® evaporation to occur as it travels through the tube. This is required in order to make the Freon® entering the evaporator similar in temperature to that already in the evaporator. Similar temperatures make the system run more efficiently and speed up the cooling process.