If you're wondering how your heat pump can easily flip from heating your home during the winter to cooling your home during the summer, it's all thanks to the reversing valve. This small yet important piece of equipment changes the direction of the heat pump's refrigerant flow, effectively controlling the unit's heating and cooling capabilities.

There are plenty of reasons why you should have your local HVAC technician take a look at the reversing valve prior to switching your heat pump over to cooling mode this season.

A Bad Reversing Valve Can Lead to Poor or No Cooling

One of the most common problems with a reversing valve is that it can freeze in place. If it gets stuck in the heating position, there won't be enough refrigerant flow available to properly cool your home. This can definitely be a problem if you rely on your heat pump to keep your home cool throughout the spring and summer months.

Most reversing valves stick due to a bad solenoid coil that lacks enough voltage to move the reversing valve. In some cases, the actual valve could be physically stuck, preventing the solenoid coil from moving the valve. Tapping on the valve may get it unstuck temporarily, but you'll eventually have to have an experienced HVAC technician deal with the reversing valve.

A Bad Valve Can Also Signal Other Heat Pump Troubles

A bad reversing valve may be just the start of your heat pump troubles. The stress and strain placed on other components by a failed reversing valve could cause those parts to eventually break down and require replacement. When your HVAC technician checks out your reversing valve, he or she can also observe if it's also affecting other parts of your heat pump.

Keep in mind that the symptoms for a failed reversing valve often mimic those of a failing compressor. Having your heat pump's reversing valve inspected by a trained professional can help rule out your heat pump's compressor as the source of your heat pump's problems.

Prevention Is the Best Policy

Even if you're not actively experiencing problems with your reversing valve, having it checked by an experienced HVAC technician can help unearth any issues that could get in the way of your heat pump's performance later on. By taking this preventive step, you'll be able to keep your heat pump in great shape for years to come.

For more information on heat pumps, contact a company like Actionaire Inc.