Abstract: A system and method for controlling the stage of a compressor motor and/or fan motor of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system. Preferably, said system and method are used with a reversible, two stage compressor motor. The method includes, for example, switching at least one contactor connected to a source of line power to remove the source of line power to a set of relays and to a compressor motor containing a run winding, a start winding, and a common lead; waiting a predetermined period of time; and controlling the set of relays by switching the set of relays to provide the source of line power to permit switching the source of line power to either the run winding or the start winding, wherein prior to the step of controlling, the at least one contactor removes the source of line power from the set of relays.