I've got a heat pump that is about 18 years old and recently it started cutting out on low pressure. The service tech told me that the reversing valve is sticking and needed to be replaced. The only problem is they can't get parts for this unit anymore and I was advised by the company doing the work to buy a new heat pump.
I asked if we could remove the reversing valve and pipe the unit in to heat only. I figure this will get me through the winter and it would also verify that this is the problem. They told me that it was a good thought but they couldn't do that.
My question is: Can this be done and if not why not? I sent them an email asking this question and they are slow to respond. Are they just trying to sell me a new unit?