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Why AC and Heat Battle During Fall in Burbank (And How to Fix It)

Your AC and heat may seem to “battle” in the fall because Burbank can have warm afternoons followed by much cooler nights. The thermostat cools the house during the day, then calls for heat hours later. Some back-and-forth is normal during shoulder season, but frequent switching can also point to thermostat settings or an HVAC problem that needs attention.

Check Your Thermostat Before Blaming the HVAC System

If your thermostat is set to automatically switch between heating and cooling, check the heating and cooling setpoints. Keeping them too close together can cause the system to change modes more often than you want as indoor temperatures rise and fall.

For example, asking for heat below 70 degrees and cooling above 72 leaves very little room between modes. A wider gap reduces unnecessary switching. You can also use heating or cooling mode manually during stretches when Burbank’s weather clearly favors one or the other.

Thermostat location matters too. Direct sunlight, nearby appliances, or other heat sources can make the thermostat read warmer than the rest of the house and call for AC when you don’t actually need it.

Don’t Chase Every Temperature Change

A few degrees of temperature drift is usually better than repeatedly changing the thermostat throughout the day. Fall weather can warm the house quickly in the afternoon, especially in rooms that get strong sun, even when outdoor temperatures aren’t particularly high.

Before turning on the AC, give ceiling fans and closed blinds a chance to manage a short period of afternoon warmth. Likewise, a slightly cool house first thing in the morning doesn’t always require a long heating cycle if the day will warm up quickly.

Know When the Switching Signals a Problem

Heating and cooling shouldn’t cycle rapidly or run at the same time. If the system changes modes every few minutes, doesn’t follow the thermostat setting, or seems to heat immediately after cooling, the thermostat, controls, or HVAC equipment may need to be checked.

A dirty filter can also make both modes perform poorly, so check it before calling for service. If basic checks don’t solve the problem, AC repair or heating repair may be needed. Homes with heat pumps can have control issues that affect both heating and cooling because one system handles both jobs.

If your HVAC system can’t settle into the right mode this fall, contact Certified Service. We can find out whether the problem is a thermostat setting or something within the system.