Embodiments of a refrigerant distributor for a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) are described. The refrigerant distributor may be configured to have orifices and/or a flow valve that are inside a header of the MCHEX. The MCHEX can be used as an evaporator in a cooling cycle, where refrigerant is distributed into the header(s) through the orifices and the flow valve may be generally in a closed state that generally prevents a refrigerant flow through the flow valve. In a heating cycle, the flow valve of the refrigerant distributor may be configured to be in an open state that allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distributor and to be directed out of the MCHEX through the refrigerant distributor. In some embodiments, the refrigerant distributor may be configured to receive liquid refrigerant, so as to eliminate the need of an expansion valve in a HVAC system.