In most parts of the country, December means steady heating and heavy sweaters. But in the Phoenix Valley, including Scottsdale and Glendale, it’s a different story. Here, it’s not unusual to use the heat during chilly desert nights and mornings and flip on the AC by mid-afternoon when the sun warms things back up.
If you find yourself constantly switching between heat and AC, you might be wondering: is this back and forth routine harming your HVAC system? The answer is… it depends. Just like Santa’s list, your system can land on the “naughty” side if it’s not being treated with a little care.
What Happens When You Keep Switching Between Heat and AC?
Modern HVAC systems are designed to both heat and cool your home, but they’re not necessarily meant to bounce back and forth several times a day. When you’re switching between heat and AC, a few things happen behind the scenes:
- Extra Wear and Tear: Each time you switch modes, you’re essentially asking your system to change gears. This can increase the wear on components like compressors, blower motors, and reversing valves (in heat pumps), especially if the switch happens too quickly or too often.
- Short Cycling Risk: If you’re toggling between modes too fast, say, turning off the heat and switching to cooling within a few minutes, you could cause your system to short cycle. That means it turns on and off too frequently, which is inefficient and can eventually lead to breakdowns.
- Inconsistent Comfort: Constantly switching between heat and AC can confuse your thermostat and make it harder to maintain a stable temperature. One room may feel chilly while another is too warm, leading to discomfort and wasted energy.
How to Keep Your HVAC Off the Naughty List
Switching between heating and cooling in the same day isn’t automatically bad, but it does require a little extra care. Here’s how to make sure your system stays on the “nice” list this holiday season:
- Wait Between Mode Changes: Give your system a break between switching from heat to cool or vice versa. Waiting just 5 to 10 minutes can help avoid short cycling and let the internal pressures normalize.
- Use a Smart Thermostat: Smart thermostats can better handle Arizona’s up and down winter temperatures. They learn your routine and adjust gradually, helping your system run more efficiently without overreacting to daily temperature swings.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance: If you’re switching between heat and AC often, regular HVAC tune-ups are even more important. A professional HVAC technician can check your system’s components, clean filters and coils, and make sure everything is running smoothly under the added strain.
- Seal Air Leaks and Improve Insulation: Keeping your home well-insulated helps reduce the need for switching modes in the first place. With fewer drafts and temperature swings, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to maintain comfort.
Give Your HVAC System the Gift of Care This Holiday Season
While switching between heat and AC is common in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and across the Valley, it doesn’t have to mean trouble for your system. With proper maintenance and a few smart habits, you can keep your home or business comfortable, without landing your HVAC on the naughty list.
Need a holiday season checkup? Arizona Comfort Specialists is here to help with trusted HVAC service throughout the Valley. Whether it’s a tune-up, repair, or thermostat upgrade, we’ve got your back.
Contact us today to schedule service and keep your comfort consistent all season long.
