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The Important Role Your Heat Pump Reversing Valve Plays

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Heat pump systems have become increasingly popular in recent years for their energy efficiency and for their ability to both heat and cool buildings. However, most homeowners are unaware of how a heat pump actually works.

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While you of course do not need to know how it works in order to use it, it’s a good idea to understand how the components of a heat pump work when it comes to needing repairs later down the line. Below, we’ve discusses what a heat pump reversing valve is, and problems that may occur with it.

What a Reversing Valve Is

Your heat pump’s reversing valve is the component that allows it to act as either a heater or as an air conditioner. The part is a 4-way valve that rests in the refrigerant line of the system. A slide is moved between two positions inside the valve by an electromagnet called the solenoid.

Depending on what position this slide is in, refrigerant will move one way or the other through your heat pump system. This is what determines which coil evaporates refrigerant and which condenses it, thus determining whether the heat pump heats or cools a home.

What Problems Can Occur?

What typically happens when the reversing pump malfunctions is that the heat pump gets stuck in either the cooling mode or the heating mode. There are a couple reasons this might happen. The slide may get stuck in the valve due to an obstruction of some kind, which prevents it from moving to change the flow of refrigerant.

Another reason this problem may occur is due to the solenoid losing its charge, making it unable to move the slide. Whatever the problem is, it’s important to have a professional HVAC technician with experience with heat pumps come take a look so they can tell you for certain.

For heat pump repairs in Lutz, FL, contact IERNA’s Heating & Cooling today.

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