Valves regulate refrigerant flow and pressure throughout an HVAC or refrigeration system, and the right valve selection directly impacts efficiency, capacity, and system longevity. Cedars HVAC Supply stocks a broad range of HVAC valves — from thermostatic expansion valves to reversing valves — for service and installation applications.
Types of HVAC Valves
- TXV (Thermostatic Expansion Valve) — Controls refrigerant flow into the evaporator by sensing suction line temperature via a sensing bulb, maintaining optimal superheat. TXVs are the standard metering device in most commercial and higher-efficiency residential systems. Danfoss TXVs are among the most widely used in the field.
- EEV (Electronic Expansion Valve) — A motor-driven valve controlled by the system’s microprocessor, offering more precise refrigerant metering than a TXV. Common in inverter-driven mini split systems and high-efficiency commercial equipment.
- Reversing valves — Found exclusively in heat pump systems, the reversing valve shifts refrigerant flow direction to switch between heating and cooling modes. A failed reversing valve can cause a heat pump to blow only warm or only cool air regardless of thermostat setting.
- Solenoid valves — Electrically actuated valves used to open or close refrigerant circuits on command. Common in multi-circuit refrigeration systems, liquid line applications, and hot gas bypass configurations.
- Service valves & Schrader valves — Used for system access during service, charging, and recovery operations.
TXV vs. EEV: Which Is Right?
TXVs are the field-serviceable standard — they can be sized and replaced without specialized electronic tools. EEVs offer superior efficiency and responsiveness but require system-specific controller compatibility and calibration. When replacing a metering device, always match the valve type, refrigerant designation, and capacity rating (tonnage or BTU) to the original specification.
Reversing Valves in Heat Pumps
A reversing valve failure is often misdiagnosed as a refrigerant issue. Before condemning a reversing valve, verify the solenoid coil is receiving power and the valve slides freely. Coil replacements are frequently possible without replacing the full valve body.
Shop HVAC valves at Cedars HVAC Supply — free shipping on orders over $99. Questions? Call (305) 850-6693 or visit our contractor pricing page.
