A system and method are provided for activating and deactivating heating or cooling stages of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, which includes activating a heating or cooling stage of the HVAC unit based on a determined need for heating or cooling. A monitored temperature is compared with a first temperature setpoint and a monitored on-time of the heating or cooling stage is compared with a first time period setpoint. The heating or cooling stage is deactivated based on the comparison of the monitored temperature with the first temperature setpoint, when the monitored on-time is greater than the first time period setpoint. The monitored temperature is then compared with a second temperature setpoint. The heating or cooling stage is reactivated based on a comparison of the monitored temperature with the second temperature setpoint, when a monitored off-time is greater than the second time period setpoint.