Replacing a Faulty Outdoor Heat Pump in Pisgah Forest, NC

No cooling? Maybe it’s a missed connection.

A homeowner from Pisgah Forest, NC reached out to Blue Ridge Heating and Air for their rental property that couldn’t cool down.

Our technician went to the house and identified a red flag: the reversing valve wasn’t receiving electricity. Without the low-voltage signal, the technician had to go on the hunt for the culprit.

The technician soon diagnosed the real issue and called the owner.

Problem:

A stuck reversing valve that was only giving hot air during the summer.

After tracing the issue back to the indoor unit, we discovered a broken wire had separated from its terminal. The technician reconnected it, but even with power flowing, the system still wasn’t cooling.

He let the homeowner know that the reversing valve was physically stuck in place. He also explained how a reversing valve works similar to a sliding gate. It moves front to back and side to side to redirect refrigerant flow allowing the unit to change from heat to cool. When this internal slide got stuck, the unit became trapped in heating mode.

Solution:

It was time for a new outdoor condenser unit (heat pump).

📆 Install Date: June 1st, 2023
🕒 Time to Complete: 1 Day
💰 Total Investment: $5,509.00

Want to learn what goes into an HVAC quotes and itemized bill?

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Repair vs. Replacement: Why We Recommended a New Unit

Technically, the reversing valve could be replaced, but here’s why we advised against it:

  • The part alone would only save around $600 compared to replacing the full outdoor unit.
  • Repairing a reversing valve has often resulted in reliability issues in the past.
  • Replacing just this component doesn’t always solve the long-term issue.

We won’t recommend a repair or replacement we don’t have good faith in.

Instead, we recommended a full outdoor heat pump replacement, which would restore both heating and cooling functionality with a reliable, modern unit.

When to Consider System Replacement

Reversing valve failure is a common aging issue in heat pumps. If your system:

  • Won’t switch between heat and cool
  • The temperature doesn’t change no matter how long you run it
  • You’ve already had to repair it multiple times

…it may be time to think about replacing the unit. As systems age (especially after 10–12 years), components begin to fail more frequently, and investing in a modern, high-efficiency system often makes better long-term financial sense.

Thanks to the replacement, the homeowner now has a dependable cooling system in place and their tenant is comfortable and avoiding future mid-season breakdowns.

Think you might need to replace your unit soon? Check out our Homeowner’s Guide on HVAC replacements!

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Keeping the System Running Strong

Preventative HVAC maintenance can add 5+ years to your system’s life and up to 30% in energy savings. This is why new installations at Blue Ridge Heating and Air come with a complimentary Blue Ridge Comfort Plan for one year (a $239 value). This plan includes seasonal tune-ups and priority scheduling, ensuring the system stays clean, efficient, and problem-free.

Unsure whether a repair or replacement is best for you?

Contact us to see your options!

📍 North Carolina: (828) 276-1385
📍 South Carolina: (864) 977-8562
🔗 blueridgeheatingair.com