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❄️ What is a Clogged TXV Valve on My Heat Pump System?
- Cool Air M.D.
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
When your heat pump or packaged unit stops cooling properly, one hidden culprit can be the TXV valve (Thermostatic Expansion Valve). This small but critical device regulates how much refrigerant flows into the evaporator coil.
When it’s clogged, your system can’t function as designed—and the results can look dramatic.
🛠️ What the TXV Valve Does
The TXV is like the traffic cop for your refrigerant.
It meters the refrigerant going into the evaporator coil.
It ensures the coil receives the right amount of refrigerant for efficient cooling.
It helps keep pressures balanced inside the system.
Without it working correctly, your system loses efficiency—and may even shut down entirely.
❄️ What a Clogged TXV valve Looks Like
On a recent service call, we found a TXV valve partially iced over.
The bottom copper section looked normal.
But the top line was a frozen block of ice.
This ice-up happened because refrigerant could no longer pass through the clogged valve. The result? The evaporator coil started freezing up, just like it would if the system were running low on refrigerant.
🚨 Why a Clogged TXV is a Problem
A clogged TXV valve can cause:
Frozen evaporator coils
Poor cooling performance (warm air blowing inside)
High energy bills from inefficiency
Strain on the compressor (which can lead to costly failure)
Left unaddressed, a bad TXV can damage other major components in your system.
🧪 What Causes TXV Valves to Clog?
Moisture or debris in the refrigerant lines
Acid or sludge buildup from an older system
Improper installation or contamination
Age-related wear
Even high-quality systems can face TXV issues if maintenance is skipped.
✅ How Cool Air M.D. Fixes It
When we encounter a clogged TXV:
We confirm the issue with pressure readings and visual inspection.
We replace or clean the valve, depending on severity.
We check refrigerant charge and system balance.
We verify that the evaporator coil is defrosted and functioning properly.
Our goal: restore cooling quickly, safely, and without unnecessary upsells.
📞 If your AC or heat pump is freezing up or blowing warm air, call Cool Air M.D. Our experienced team will diagnose the problem and fix it right the first time.
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