What position is a heat pump reversing valve in when it is not energized?

The position of a heat pump reversing valve when it is not energized is in heating mode. This is due to the design of the reversing valve, which changes the direction of refrigerant flow depending on the mode of operation required.

When the system is off or the reversing valve is not energized, it defaults to the heating mode. In this state, the heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it indoors to provide heating. Conversely, when energized, the valve shifts to cooling mode, where it reverses the refrigerant flow to absorb heat from the indoor space and expel it outside.

Understanding this function is crucial for properly diagnosing and troubleshooting heat pumps. Recognizing that the reversing valve defaults to heating mode ensures that technicians can effectively manage both the heating and cooling processes of the heat pump system.