Is Switching Back and Forth Between Heat and Air Bad for my HVAC System?

Tori Klein • October 28, 2021

This time of year you may find it difficult to regulate the temperature level in your home.

Picture of a woman looking confused adjusting her thermostat.
During the day you may need to activate your AC, yet find it's not good for sleeping. Many property owners switch over back and forth in between the heating & cooling system when loss or spring brings cozy days and also great nights.

But will this cause air conditioner damage? Generally, switching to and from your heating and cooling settings will not cause any issues. Nonetheless, often changing back and forth can cause your system to shut off. If you short-cycle the ac unit, it can trigger the fuse or breaker to turn off the exterior condensing device.

This is a common mistake lots of people make. When the system remains in the cooling setting and the thermostat is asking for air conditioning, the exterior device is on. If you adjust your temperature level higher to turn it off and then right away dial the temperature level down it would certainly ask for cooling down once more and cause the compressor to lock up.

The reverse is also common. When the cooling unit ends up a cycle to power on or turn off too close together, the unit will attempt to turn back on but the compressor will probably lock up due to the fact that the pressure has actually not adjusted in the system.

When a compressor secures through high-pressure start-up problems, it will certainly draw a really high amp rate. This can trigger a breaker or fuse to impact. Some units have integrated "Anti Short-Cycle" timers. Some electronic thermostats have built-in dead time to stop this from taking place.

If your system shuts off, the first step you should do is check the fuses or breakers. You may also want to examine the exterior disconnect for your unit. Some have a different breaker.

You need to enter the habit of allowing your thermostat to sit in the OFF placement for at least 5 minutes after it closes down, prior to starting one more cycle. This enables the refrigerant pressure in the system to adjust.

If your system closes down and you have also checked the breakers and you know that isn't the problem, you need to go ahead and call a technician. The trouble may be much more complex.

We suggest regular tune-ups to prolong the life of your devices. Our Spring AC tune-up or our Fall Furnace tune-up can protect against small issues from coming to be significant ones. Should you need a new ac unit or heater, Best Owner Direct is right here to aid you in choosing which system will certainly function best for you and your spending plan.
 
Our technicians are skilled specialists you can rely on. They are given continuing education to ensure they have the knowledge and training to supply our customers with the most effective solution readily available. Call us today or click to schedule your appointment.

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