What happens to the metering device if it is exposed to temperature fluctuations?

A metering device in an HVAC system is designed to precisely control the flow of refrigerant in response to varying demands from the system. When exposed to temperature fluctuations, the materials and components within the metering device can experience stress and affect its ability to function correctly.

For instance, if the temperatures exceed design specifications, components like thermal expansion valves or capillary tubes can become less responsive or inaccurate in their measurements, which can lead to improper refrigerant flow. This impacts the system's overall performance, potentially causing inefficient cooling or heating, increased energy consumption, or even premature wear on the compressor.

The context is important here: while some devices may tolerate minor fluctuations without immediate failure, consistent or extreme temperature changes can lead to degraded performance over time. Thus, the correct understanding is that the performance of the metering device may be impaired due to exposure to temperature fluctuations.