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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Durant, OK
    Posts
    117

    Default Does this harm the unit?

    It is 100+ degrees in Oklahoma right now and, of course, every home has the A/C running. During the HVAC inspection, is there risk to switch from Cooling to Heat to check the unit? I know you can't check the A/C if it is 65 degrees or cooler outside, but is there such a limitation on the heating unit? What steps do some of you take to switch between the two?

    Sorry, I just noticed I posted in the Plumbing Forum and not the HVAC.... oops!

    Similar Threads:
    Last edited by Dub Smith; 08-01-2011 at 08:39 AM. Reason: Posted in wrong forum.
    Crawl Space Creeper
    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
    Jubilee Home Inspections

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Mississippi
    Posts
    101

    Default Re: Does this harm the unit?

    Dub,

    To the best of my knowledge there is no harm in switching from A/C to heat other than, the discomfort felt in the house during the operation of the heating unit. when it's 100+ deg. outside, I can't imagine the current homeowner being too thrilled about the idea of having to pay to re-cool the house after the heater has been heating up the walls & such. This is not my specific area of expertise, however it has never caused a problem for me down in the gulf south.

    George Hallaron: Owner primary inspector
    Bienvenue Home Inspections LLC
    www.bienvenuehomeinspections.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    112

    Default Re: Does this harm the unit?

    No matter where you are geographically located, there is no harm is cycling a thermostat from cooling, to heating, whether testing or otherwise. During a test, the heating function would be operating for less than a minute, so there is not going to be a detectable energy loss. Even if there was a detectable energy loss to recool, the testing process is required to confirm operational function.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    2,809

    Default Re: Does this harm the unit?

    My best knowledge is that switching from heating to cooling will have no negative effect on system. Similar to a temporary loss of power. If the AC unit was switched on and off in quick succession the compressor may shut down for 1 to 2 min then it would restart.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Does this harm the unit?

    What type of heating system are you talking about?. Up here in PA, I don't run a heat pump in heat mode if it is 60 degrees or hotter but I will test the emergency backup mode. If it's a gas or oil-fired heating system, I'll run it regardless of temperature.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Durant, OK
    Posts
    117

    Default Re: Does this harm the unit?

    Thanks everyone for your replies. I was at an inspection this morning and I had a realtor call me down and said that her Heating and Air guy has always told her to have the A/C turned off at least an hour before turning on the heat. I had never heard this and was wondering if I was screwing up. So Nick, what are you saying, run the emergency heat mode only? How is this different from the Heat mode itself? Thanks for your help!

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
    Jubilee Home Inspections

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