--- title: "Heating and cooling modes" description: "Switch between heating, cooling, and off modes. Configure automatic seasonal switching with Smart Rules and virtual devices in TapHome." url: "https://taphome.com/en/docs/functional-areas/heating-cooling/heating-cooling-mode/" language: en lastmod: 2026-10-08 generator: hugo ai: topics: ["heating-cooling-mode","hvac-mode-switching","temperature-control","smart-rules-automation","zone-control","seasonal-switching"] questions: ["How do I switch between heating and cooling modes in TapHome?","What is the \"Off\" mode used for in heating and cooling?","Can I use cooling mode even without a cooling unit installed?","How to automatically switch modes based on outside temperature?","What temperature thresholds trigger automatic heating and cooling switching?","Where do I find the Heating \u0026 Cooling virtual device settings?","How does the heating/cooling mode affect zone valves and temperature controllers?"] --- # Heating and cooling modes Switching between heating and cooling modes in the TapHome installation Last updated: 2026-10-08 TapHome provides global switching of heating and cooling modes that affects the behavior of the entire installation. This mode is represented by the virtual device "Heating & Cooling (default)", which is automatically predefined in every new installation. If you need to create a new virtual device for switching modes, you can find it at: **Settings** → **Virtual Devices** → **Add device** → **Multi-Value Switch** ## Mode configuration 1. Open the device **Heating & Cooling** (default) 2. Go to **Service settings** 3. Select the modes you want to be supported in the installation 4. Save changes ## Supported modes The system supports four basic operating modes. In the device service settings you can choose which modes will be available in your installation. **Not Heating or Cooling** ![Off](https://taphome.com/documentation/heating-cooling-modes/off.svg) Usage: Transitional periods The **Off** mode is used during transitional periods (spring, autumn) when there is no need to heat or cool. In this mode all heating and cooling systems are inactive. > Practical example > > In April, when the outside temperature fluctuates between 10–20°C, there is no need for active heating or cooling. Switching to the **Off** mode ensures that heating or cooling does not turn on. **Heating** ![Heating](https://taphome.com/documentation/heating-cooling-modes/heating.svg) Usage: Winter months The **Heating** mode is used during the winter months when it is necessary to maintain the desired temperature by heating spaces. > In heating mode all devices configured for heating — boilers, underfloor heating, radiators, heat pumps in heating mode, etc. — are activated. **Cooling** ![Cooling](https://taphome.com/documentation/heating-cooling-modes/cooling.svg) Usage: Summer months The **Cooling** mode is used during the summer to maintain a pleasant indoor temperature. > Usage without a cooling unit > > Cooling mode also makes sense if there is no active cooling unit installed. It can serve, for example, as an auxiliary mode for blinds so that they behave differently in summer than in winter: > > - In summer: Automatic shading during the day to protect against direct sun > - In winter: Maximum use of solar radiation for passive heating **Heating & Cooling** ![Heating & Cooling](https://taphome.com/documentation/heating-cooling-modes/heating-cooling.svg) Usage: Automatic mode A special mode that allows simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones of the building. > Less common mode > > In our climate this mode is quite unusual. It is used mainly in: > > - Large buildings with a central air handling system > - Buildings with different zone usage (e.g., server rooms need cooling, offices heating) > - Hotels and commercial spaces where one zone may require heating while another actively cools > > In this mode it is possible to heat in one zone while another zone is simultaneously cooling — usually via ventilation. ## Use in Smart Rules This mode switch is used in several smart rules: - **Temperature hysteresis controller** - **Temperature PID controller** - **Blinds adjustment according to sun** ### Behavior of temperature controllers The controllers **Temperature hysteresis controller** and **Temperature PID controller** are driven by the current mode as follows: **Outputs supporting only heating** If the outputs support only heating (for example a zone valve for underfloor heating into which only hot water can flow), then: - In off mode the outputs remain off regardless of temperatures - In cooling mode the outputs remain off regardless of temperatures - Only in heating mode can the outputs be active **Outputs supporting only cooling** If the outputs support only cooling (for example a valve that lets through cool water), then: - In off mode the outputs remain off - In heating mode the outputs remain off - Only in cooling mode can the outputs be active **Outputs supporting heating and cooling** If the output device supports heating and cooling, the system assumes that the medium flowing through it (water) has the temperature corresponding to the current mode: - In heating mode → hot water flows - In cooling mode → cold water flows ## Switching modes You can switch the current mode: 1. Manually - directly on the device in the app 2. Automatically - via Smart Rules according to outside temperature or date ### Example of automatic switching between heating and cooling This example shows how to automatically switch between heating and cooling modes based on outside temperature using a 24-hour moving average. #### 1. Enable statistics on the outside temperature sensor In the app: **Statistics** → **Add new statistic** Set: - Type: **Average** - **Period type**: **Current period** - **Duration**: **1 day** #### 2. Create Smart Rule "Switch to Heating" Create **Equation** named "Switch to Heating": **Variables**: - Add outside temperature → **Statistics**: Temperature (**Average** per day) - Name it "Temperature" **Equation**: ```taphome Temperature < 16 ``` **Actions** (**True**): Device **Heating & Cooling** set to **Heating** **Actions** (**False**): No action #### 3. Create Smart Rule "Switch to Cooling" Create **Equation** named "Switch to Cooling": **Variables**: - Add outside temperature → **Statistics**: Temperature (**Average** per day) - Name it "Temperature" **Equation**: ```taphome Temperature > 22 ``` **Actions** (**True**): Device **Heating & Cooling** set to **Cooling** **Actions** (**False**): No action #### 4. Set manual control On the virtual Heating & Cooling device set **Manual override** to the value **Keep manual mode until next automatic change**, so that the user can manually switch the transitional period to **Off**. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Can I have more devices for switching modes?** Yes, you can create multiple devices for different zones or floors. Each zone can then have its own mode. **What happens if I have a device in manual mode?** Manual control always takes precedence over automatic mode switching. How long the device stays in manual mode depends on its **Manual override** setting (for example until the next change, or until you switch it back to automatic mode). **See also** — [Heating and Cooling](https://taphome.com/en/docs/functional-areas/heating-cooling/), [Equithermic regulation](https://taphome.com/en/docs/functional-areas/heating-cooling/equithermic-regulation/).