As we shift from summer to fall, the temperatures can go from hot to cold in a day. As a result, you may follow these patterns with your indoor HVAC system, turning on your heat, then the air conditioning, and then the heat again. But is all this fluctuation harming the HVAC system? Here’s what you need to know. 

How Do Heating & Cooling Systems Differ?

Your heating and cooling systems both work hard to change the temperature throughout your home, but they use different mechanisms to create warm and cool air. The cooling system relies on an indoor unit (the evaporator coil) and an outdoor unit (the condenser coil and compressor). During the warmer months, hot air in your home transfers heat energy to the indoor evaporator coil, which contains refrigerant. The hot refrigerant moves to the outdoor unit, where it is cooled down, and a fan blows air across the cold coil into your house. 

The heating system doesn’t use the compressor—only the furnace in your garage or basement. Once hot gases are created inside the unit, they move to the heat exchanger, and the air is blown into your home.

Can Switching Between Hot & Cool Air Damage Your HVAC System?

Because they operate so differently, switching back and forth too often between the heating and air conditioning could lead to mechanical problems. For example, when the cooling mode is on, your outdoor unit powers on. When you switch to heating, it shuts off. If you switch it back to cooling shortly after, the compressor might be overwhelmed by such short cycles and stop working. This is often the case when you don’t leave enough time between cycles for pressure to equalize, leading to a blown breaker or fuse.

If you’re hoping to enjoy a comfortable home this fall, schedule a Mitsubishi Electric® HVAC system installation appointment with the Diamond Contractors™ at Air Expo Heating and Air Conditioning. They are currently offering up to $500 off on units via an instant rebate, from now until November 15, 2019. With over 20 years of experience serving clients in Morris County, NY, you can trust their team to install and maintain these state-of-the-art systems with ease. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website. Call (973) 283-0300 to schedule an installation.

Here’s what one customer had to say about working with them:

"This company is excellent. Michael (owner), Josh (technical guy and installer) and Sandy (support), are all very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. We are very happy with their work. They are listed as a Diamond company. I would add Golden." - Luis G., Google