FURNACE FAQ
AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, shows how effectively a furnace converts fuel into usable heat. A higher number means more of your fuel becomes heat and less is wasted. A 95% AFUE furnace, for example, turns 95 cents of every fuel dollar into heat for your Ohio home.
A conventional furnace operates like a light switch—it’s either 100% on or completely off. A two-stage furnace offers two levels of heat output: low stage for mild winter days and high stage for extreme cold.
Because the system operates on the lower, more efficient stage about 80% of the time, it uses significantly less fuel, runs quieter, and maintains a consistent temperature throughout your home. If you're looking to upgrade your comfort and lower monthly utility bills, contact Novak Heating & Cooling to explore two-stage heating options.
While a two-stage furnace controls fuel consumption, a variable-speed motor controls the airflow moving through your home. Unlike standard motors that only blow air at full blast, a variable-speed blower automatically adjusts its speed to match your system's output.
It runs mostly at lower, energy-efficient speeds to circulate air continuously and evenly. This eliminates drafty cold spots, reduces operating noise, improves indoor air quality, and prevents the harsh temperature swings typical of older systems.
Common causes include:
- The thermostat is set to “fan only”
- The furnace hasn’t fully warmed up yet
- A dirty air filter is restricting airflow
- A problem with the ignition system
If you’ve checked the thermostat and filter and the air is still cold, call Novak Heating & Cooling. A professional heating inspection can quickly pinpoint the issue and get your home warm again.
HEAT PUMP FAQ
A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling system that uses electricity to transfer heat rather than burn fuel to create it. In the summer, it extracts heat from inside your home and dumps it outdoors to keep you cool. In the winter, it reverses the process, pulling heat from the outdoor air and bringing it inside.
Yes. A heat pump replaces both your central air conditioner and your furnace with a single unit. In Midwest climates with extreme winter cold snaps, homeowners often pair a heat pump with a backup gas furnace to create a dual-fuel system—using the heat pump during mild weather and switching to gas heat when temperatures plunge.
HSPF2 stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2. It measures how efficiently a heat pump heats your home over an entire heating season—just as SEER2 measures cooling efficiency. A higher HSPF2 rating means lower monthly electricity costs. HSPF2 reflects updated industry testing standards designed to mimic real-world operating conditions more accurately.
The main difference is how they create comfort:
- Heat pumps run on electricity to move existing heat into or out of your home. They handle both heating and cooling, providing consistent, highly efficient comfort in moderate temperatures.
- Gas furnaces burn natural gas or propane to generate new heat. They remain popular in Northeast Ohio because they deliver high-temperature air quickly during deep winter cold snaps.
Not sure which system fits your home and energy budget? Contact Novak Heating & Cooling to evaluate your heating needs or explore a hybrid dual-fuel installation.
DUCTLESS FAQ
A ductless mini split is an efficient heating and cooling system that operates without ductwork. It consists of an outdoor compressor connected to one or more indoor air handlers via small refrigerant lines. The system transfers heat into or out of your home to provide precise, zoned temperature control for individual rooms.
Absolutely. Mini-splits are ideal for older homes built without ductwork in Akron, Canton, Richfield, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities. They deliver efficient, year-round heating and cooling without requiring invasive renovations or sacrificing closet and living space for ductwork.
Yes. While single-zone systems cover individual rooms, a multi-zone ductless system can handle an entire home. Up to eight indoor air-handling units can connect to a single outdoor compressor, allowing each room or floor to have its own independent thermostat and temperature control.
Ductless systems offer several key benefits:
- Flexible installation: Perfect for home additions, converted garages, sunrooms, basements, or rooms that stay too hot or cold.
- High energy efficiency: Eliminates duct losses, which can account for up to 30% of energy consumption in traditional forced-air systems.
- Improved air quality: Filters air in each room directly without ductwork collecting dust, pollen, and allergens.
- Zoned comfort: Enables personalized temperature control for individual rooms, reducing energy wasted heating or cooling unused spaces.
Yes. Homeowners should clean or wash the reusable indoor air filters monthly to maintain proper airflow. Additionally, scheduling professional service once a year ensures proper refrigerant levels, clean coils, and reliable electrical connections. Contact Novak Heating & Cooling to schedule your annual mini split tune-up or discuss a new ductless installation.
AIR DUCTS FAQ
Common warning signs of leaky ductwork include:
- Unexplained bill spikes: Higher utility costs as your HVAC system works harder to compensate for lost air.
- Uneven temperatures: Rooms that are notoriously difficult to heat or cool, or hot and cold spots throughout the house.
- Excessive dust: Dust accumulating quickly on surfaces despite regular cleaning
- Visible damage: Kinked, disconnected, or tangled flexible ducts in your basement, attic, or crawl space.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that leaky ducts can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent. Unsealed leaks can also pull dust, unconditioned air, and moisture into your air supply, worsening indoor air quality and impacting household members with allergies or asthma.
Yes. Our technicians can evaluate your air ducts to measure air loss and static pressure. Depending on the condition of your ductwork, we can seal, patch, and insulate existing lines or design and install a full replacement if the damage or airflow restriction is excessive. We provide upfront estimates for all ductwork services, with financing available for qualified buyers.
Yes. We custom-design and install high-quality, properly insulated ductwork for new construction projects, home additions, and finished basements. We collaborate directly with general contractors and builders to ensure your new duct system integrates seamlessly into your floor plan for optimal, balanced airflow.
WATER HEATERS FAQ
Yes. Our licensed team installs, replaces, repairs, and maintains tank and tankless water heaters from all major brands. Before any replacement, we take a detailed inventory of your home’s water system and run the calculations to make sure the new unit is the right size for your household.
A traditional storage tank heater holds 20 to 80 gallons of water and keeps it hot around the clock, even when no one is using it. It’s the most affordable and popular option, typically lasts 10 to 15 years, and is relatively easy to install.
A tankless water heater heats water only when you turn on a faucet, so there’s no tank to store, maintain, or leak. Tankless units are much more compact, can be mounted on a wall, and can last 20 years or longer with proper maintenance.
In many cases, yes. A tank holds a fixed amount of hot water, so a busy household that runs back-to-back showers, laundry, and dishes can drain it, leaving it waiting to recover. A tankless system heats water on demand, so there’s no tank to run out, and you only pay to heat the water you actually use.
Proper sizing is critical. Tankless units have a limited flow rate, so a larger household needs a properly sized unit, or a second point-of-use unit for a high-demand area like the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom. We’ll calculate your household’s demand and recommend the right setup.
A point-of-use water heater is a small, on-demand unit installed near a single fixture or area in your home, such as a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, rather than heating water for the whole house.
Because it sits right where the hot water is needed, you get hot water faster and waste less water waiting for it to arrive. It can also work alongside a main tank or tankless system, taking pressure off your primary water heater so a busy household doesn’t overwhelm it.
A point-of-use unit is a great fit when:
- A fixture or bathroom sits far from your central water heater, resulting in long wait times.
- You’ve built an addition, finished a basement, or added an outdoor kitchen without expanding your main plumbing line.
- You want dedicated, instant hot water at a specific high-use fixture, like a primary suite or kitchen sink.
Not sure whether it’s right for your home? We’ll look at your layout and hot water habits and recommend the best solution.
RADIANT FLOORING FAQ
Radiant floor heating warms your home from the ground up using pipes or electric panels installed beneath the floor. The heat radiates upward and warms the objects and people in the room, so the warmth is even, and your floors feel comfortable instead of icy.
All the components are hidden beneath the floor, so there are no radiators or vents taking up living space. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that hydronic radiant heating can be more efficient than forced-air systems, which can lose energy through leaky ducts.
Radiant systems also don’t stir up dust the way forced air does, which is a plus for indoor air quality.
- Electric radiant heat: Uses heat-producing cables under the floor. It warms up quickly and works best as supplemental heating for bathrooms and small additions.
- Hydronic radiant heat: Circulates water from a boiler or water heater through flexible PEX piping. It is the most cost-effective solution for whole-home heating.
No. Radiant heat works with hardwood, vinyl, and other floor coverings, not just tile.
Yes. If you experience a cold spot or system failure, we use infrared thermal imaging to pinpoint the exact location of the break or blockage without unnecessarily tearing up your flooring. We’ll diagnose the issue, explain the repair plan, and provide upfront pricing before any work begins.
IAQ FAQ
Indoor air quality describes the cleanliness and health of the air inside your home. Good IAQ matters for your comfort, respiratory health, and overall well-being, especially if anyone in your household has allergies, asthma, or sensitivity to airborne pollutants.
Everything from humidity levels to your home's ventilation rate affects air purity. Common sources of indoor pollutants include:
- Dust, pet dander, pollen, and dust mites
- Mold spores and mildew from excess moisture
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, paints, and air fresheners
- Tobacco smoke and cooking fumes
- Combustion gases from unvented or aging appliances
- Dirty air ducts or clogged HVAC filters
Often, yes. During colder months, homes are sealed tightly to conserve heat. While this keeps utility bills down, it prevents fresh air exchange and traps stale air, humidity, dust, and chemical fumes inside your living spaces.
Standard air filters protect your HVAC system, but whole-home IAQ solutions protect your health. Depending on your home's needs, effective options include:
- Whole-home air purifiers: Installed directly in your ductwork to capture fine micro-particles, bacteria, and viruses.
- UV air sanitizers: Neutralize mold spores and airborne pathogens before they circulate through your supply vents.
- Whole-home dehumidifiers or humidifiers: Maintain optimal indoor humidity (30% to 50%) to discourage mold growth and reduce seasonal dryness.
Not sure where to start? Contact Novak Heating & Cooling to schedule an indoor air quality assessment and find the right solution for your home.
