Duratech DURAPRO-12 R32 Expansion Valve

This genuine Duratech expansion valve is a replacement component for DURAPRO-12 heat pump units running R32 refrigerant. The expansion valve is a critical part of the refrigeration cycle, controlling the flow of refrigerant through the system.

What Does the Expansion Valve Do?

The expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator coil. As high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through the valve, it rapidly expands and drops in both pressure and temperature. This cold, low-pressure refrigerant then flows through the evaporator, absorbing heat from the ambient air. Precise control of this process is essential for efficient heat pump operation—too much refrigerant and the system floods, too little and it starves, both scenarios reducing performance and potentially causing damage.

Signs of Expansion Valve Problems

A failing expansion valve can cause a range of symptoms: the heat pump struggling to reach or maintain temperature, frost or ice forming on the evaporator coil, the compressor short-cycling or running constantly, unusual hissing sounds near the valve, or refrigerant pressure readings outside normal parameters. Because these symptoms can overlap with other faults, proper diagnosis by a qualified engineer is important.

Professional Installation Required

Working with expansion valves involves handling refrigerant under pressure, which requires F-Gas certification and specialist equipment. The system must be safely recovered, the valve replaced, and the refrigerant recharged and tested. This is not a DIY repair—always have a qualified refrigeration engineer carry out the work.

Specifications