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A properly functioning thermostat is essential for maintaining a comfortable home, especially in the winter. If your thermostat is set correctly but you still wonder why is my house so cold, there may be a few underlying issues present in your home that need to be addressed. Novak Heating, Cooling and Duct Cleaning explains the common reasons why you may be feeling cold while indoors this season.

Why Is My House So Cold?

Are you finding it hard to maintain your home’s temperature this winter? If you question why is my house so cold even though the thermostat is set properly, here are a few possible explanations for the chill you feel:

Poor Insulation

One of the most common causes of a cold home despite a correctly set thermostat is poor insulation. Insulation plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home, as it helps to keep warm air inside during the winter and cool air inside during the summer. If your insulation is insufficient or has become damaged, it can allow warm air to escape, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

HVAC System Issues

Another possible cause behind why your house is so is a malfunctioning HVAC system. If your furnace or heat pump is not working properly, it may be unable to heat or cool your home effectively. This can be caused by a variety of issues, such as a dirty or clogged air filter, a broken thermostat, or a malfunctioning blower motor.

Also, the coldness you feel indoors could be caused by a lack of HVAC maintenance. Regular maintenance on your HVAC system, including cleaning and tuning-up, can ensure that your system is working at its best, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

Drafts

Drafty windows and doors can also cause your home to not reach the desired temperature. If your windows and doors are not properly sealed, they can allow cold air to enter your home and heated air to escape. Air leaks can make it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature, even with a correctly set thermostat.

Duct Leaks

Another possible cause of a cold home despite a correctly set thermostat is a ductwork issue. Ductwork is responsible for distributing warm or cool air throughout your home from your heating and cooling systems. If your ductwork is damaged, leaking, or not properly insulated, it can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system and make it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

Call Novak to Help Fix Your Cold House

A cold house doesn’t have to plague you all season long! The issues causing cold temperatures in your house despite proper thermostat settings can be fixed with a little help from the pros!

At Novak Heating and Cooling, we can provide you with a comprehensive evaluation of your HVAC system and home to determine the cause of a cold home despite a correctly set thermostat. Our team of certified and experienced technicians can diagnose and repair any issues with thermostat, HVAC system, or ductwork. We can also provide regular maintenance to ensure that your HVAC system continues to work at its best. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help you maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

Are the air quality levels inside your home impacting your family’s health and comfort? Does it feel like you’re constantly having to dust, run the vacuum, and clean surfaces? If so, then it might be time to look into a UV air cleaner. But how do you decide which type is right for you – a portable unit or a whole-home UV air cleaner? Novak Heating and Cooling explains each option so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not installing a whole-home UV air cleaner is right for your home.

What Do Air Cleaners Do?

When it comes to improving the air quality in your home, there are a few options available to you. One of the most popular options is the use of a UV air cleaner. UV air cleaners use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms in the air. Many of these units are also combined with a form of filtration to remove dust, pet dander, and other particle pollutants from the indoor air supply.

The Options: Portable and Whole Home UV Air Cleaner Units

There are two main types of UV air cleaners: whole home and portable. Understanding the differences between these two types can help you make an informed decision about which one is best for your home.

• A whole home UV air cleaner is designed to be installed as part of your home’s HVAC system. It is typically installed in the ductwork and works in conjunction with your furnace or air conditioner to clean the air as it is circulated throughout your home. Because it is integrated into your HVAC system, it is able to clean the air in every room of your home, ensuring that the air you breathe is as clean and healthy as possible.
• A portable UV air cleaner, on the other hand, is a standalone unit that can be placed in any room of your home. A portable system is typically smaller and less powerful than a whole-home UV air cleaner and is designed to clean the air in a single room or area. While they can be effective at improving the air quality in the room they are placed in, they are not able to clean the air throughout your entire home.

Which Type of Air Cleaner Is Best?

There are several reasons why a whole-house system would be a better choice than a portable system. For one, a whole home UV light system is able to clean the air in every room of your home, ensuring that the air you breathe is as clean and healthy as possible. Additionally, because it is integrated into your HVAC system, it requires less maintenance and is more energy-efficient than a portable air cleaner.

Another advantage of whole house air cleaners is that they can help to improve the overall efficiency of your HVAC system. Removing harmful microorganisms from the air can help to reduce the need for frequent air filter changes and can also help to extend the life of your HVAC system.

In addition, a whole home air filtration and purification system can help to reduce the risk of health problems associated with poor indoor air quality. This can include respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma. Cleaning the air throughout your entire home can help prevent the spread of illness.

Improve the Indoor Air Quality in Your Entire House – Talk to Novak Today

Homeowners should consider a whole home UV air cleaner for their HVAC system instead of a portable system. A UV light air purifier can help destroy bacteria, viruses, and mold spores in the circulating air, and some models can even remove other pollutants. As a result, every time the furnace or heat pump kicks on, clean, fresh air circulates throughout the home. Contact Novak Heating, Air and Duct Cleaning to install a high-quality whole home UV air purifier in your HVAC system so you can enjoy clean indoor air all year long

Are you struggling to keep your home comfortable and warm during the chilly winter months? Do you have a heat pump, but find that it’s not working as efficiently as it should be? One particularly frustrating issue with heat pump systems is when the fan runs even after the desired temperature has been achieved. Don’t let this nuisance get in the way of enjoying a cozy space for you and your family. The experienced HVAC technicians at Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning discuss why your heat pump fan might be running in winter and how to fix it. We also will share some best practices that can help save energy so that keeping warm this winter doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! 

Problems Causing a Heat Pump Fan Running Constantly

There are several reasons why a heat pump fan might run constantly in the winter. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Dirty or clogged air filters: Heat pump fans rely on a steady flow of air to operate properly. If the air filters are dirty or clogged, it can restrict the flow of air through the system and cause the heat pump fan to run constantly. To fix this issue, simply replace the air filter.
• Frozen outdoor unit: In cold weather, the outdoor unit of a heat pump can become frozen. This can prevent the heat pump from functioning properly and can cause heat pump struggles which is why the fan will run continuously. To fix this issue, you will need to defrost the outdoor unit by running the defrost cycle and allowing it to thaw. Resolve any issues that could increase the outdoor unit’s risk of freezing, such as leaking overhead gutters.
• Incorrect thermostat settings: When the thermostat’s fan setting is set to AUTO, you’ll notice the heat pump fan only runs during heating cycles.  If the fan is set to ON, you’ll notice the heat pump fan running constantly, even when the heat pump is not actively heating. If the thermostat is not set properly, it can cause the heat pump fan to run constantly. To fix this issue, make sure the fan is set to AUTO.
• Faulty blower relay switch: If the blower relay switch is faulty, your thermostat setting may not be properly communicated to the heat pump system and it can leave the heat pump fan running constantly. To fix this issue, you will need to have the relay switch replaced by a qualified technician.

Best Practices for Winter Heat Pump Use

Here are some best practices for running your heat pump during the winter that will improve heating efficiency and protect your HVAC equipment:

• Keep the air filter clean: To ensure that your heat pump is running efficiently and effectively, it is important to keep the air filter clean. Clean or replace the air filter on a regular basis to prevent them from becoming clogged.
• Keep the outdoor unit clear: The outdoor unit of a heat pump should be kept clear of snow, ice, and other debris. This will ensure that the heat pump is able to receive the airflow it needs to function properly and prevent the blower fan from running constantly.
• Install a programmable or smart thermostat: A programmable or smart thermostat can help you save energy and money by setting the temperature in your home to match your schedule. The heat pump won’t have to work as much, which saves energy and reduces wear and tear on the equipment.
• Have the heat pump serviced regularly: To ensure that your heat pump is running at its best, it is important to have a maintenance tune-up performed by a qualified technician at least twice per year. This will help to prevent costly repairs and ensure that your heat pump is providing maximum comfort and efficiency.

Heat Pump Repair Services from Novak

If you notice your heat pump fan running constantly, there are a few reasons this could be happening. If none of the fixes above solve the problem, then it’s time to call Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning for heat pump repair services. Our team of experts will quickly diagnose and fix the problem so you can stay comfortable all winter long.

When it comes to heating your home, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is what type of heating system to buy. High-efficiency furnaces are designed to provide maximum comfort and energy savings, but they come with a higher price tag than traditional furnaces. So, are high-efficiency furnaces worth it? The experienced furnace professionals at Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning are here to answer your questions about furnace efficiency. 

How Are High-Efficiency Furnaces Different?

High-efficiency furnaces use advanced technology to heat your home more efficiently and reliably than traditional furnaces. Some of the technology that high-efficiency furnaces have that traditional models do not include:

• Variable-speed motors: High-efficiency furnaces use variable-speed blower motors to control the flow of air through the furnace. This allows the furnace to adjust its heating output to match the needs of your home, resulting in more efficient heating and greater comfort.
• Two-stage heating: Two-stage heating means that the furnace has two different heating settings. This allows the furnace to operate at a lower, more efficient setting for most of the time, and then switch to a higher setting when more heat is needed.
• Condensing technology: High-efficiency furnaces use condensing technology and a secondary heat exchanger to extract heat from exhaust gases and use it to heat your home. This results in more efficient heating and cheaper energy bills.
• High-quality materials: High-efficiency furnaces are built with high-quality materials, such as stainless-steel heat exchangers and durable blower motors. This results in a longer lifespan and less frequent repairs.

Pros & Cons of High-Efficiency Furnaces

One of the biggest benefits of high-efficiency furnaces is their energy savings. In general, all new furnaces are much more energy efficient than older models, but high-efficiency models offer higher AFUE ratings than standard efficiency models. Because they are designed to be more efficient than traditional furnaces, high-efficiency furnaces use less natural gas or electricity to heat your home. This means that you can save money on your monthly energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. 

High-efficiency furnaces are also very reliable. Because they are built with high-quality materials, they are less likely to break down and require costly repairs. This means that you can trust your furnace to keep your home warm and comfortable, even during the coldest days of the year.

Another benefit of high-efficiency furnaces is that they are very quiet. The same technological advancements that offer greater energy efficiency and equipment durability also make them quieter than traditional furnaces. This means that you can enjoy a warm and comfortable home without the constant noise of a loud furnace.

Despite their many benefits, high-efficiency furnaces do have some drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks is their cost. In general, high-efficiency furnaces cost more the better their  efficiency ratings. High-efficiency furnaces tend to have a higher price tag than standard efficiency models. This can be a significant investment for homeowners, and it may not be feasible for everyone.

Furnace Installation for Your Home

High-efficiency furnaces are worth it for homeowners who are looking for a reliable and energy-efficient way to heat their homes. They may require a higher upfront investment, but they can save you money on your monthly energy bills and provide maximum comfort and reliability. Contact Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning today to learn more about high-efficiency furnaces and receive a quote for new furnace installation.

Congratulations on your new heat pump! You’ve chosen to take a step in the right direction towards preserving the environment and saving on energy consumption. Adopting this new heating and cooling system is exciting, but it comes with a bit of a learning curve. Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning shares some heat pump best practices so you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your energy-efficient heating and cooling system.

1 – Don’t Adjust the Temperature For a Short Period of Time

With a furnace or air conditioning system, you might be used to setting your system lower during the day to save energy, and then raising the temperature when your home is occupied for maximum energy savings. While this is a great idea for a furnace and central air conditioning, you should not do this for heat pumps.

Once you’ve found a temperature setting that is comfortable, set it and leave it. Turning a heat pump down when you’re away or sleeping may actually use more energy than leaving it at a constant temperature. This is because it will have to work harder to come back to the desired temperature than it does to maintain it. Adjusting the temperature for short periods of time will not save you money with a heat pump.

2 – Rely on Your Heat Pump Before Your Furnace or Boiler

Many Cedar Rapids homes don’t rely solely on a heat pump for heat throughout the winter. They may have a backup heating system like a furnace or boiler. To maximize your energy savings, always rely on the heat pump for heat first. Set your furnace or boiler to a lower setting. When your home gets chilly during an especially cold night, your backup heating system will kick on to keep your home comfortable.

3 – Avoid “Auto” Mode

Auto mode maintains a constant temperature in your home by alternating between cooling and heating modes. If your system is on “auto” and you have your backup heating system running, you don’t want your heat pump to start cooling your home to compensate for the warmer temperatures indoors. Keep your system set to “heat” throughout the season, and only change it to “cool” once temperatures start to warm up.

4 – Keep Your Filters Clean

Like other HVAC systems, you’ll want to inspect and replace your system’s air filters on a regular basis. Check your filters every month to see how fast they’re filling up. A good rule of thumb is to change out your air filter every 90 days. You can buy replacement filters at your local hardware store. If you have ductless mini splits, be sure to clean the dust filters on a regular basis too, or when you notice the indicator light comes on.

5 – Stay on Top of Regular Maintenance

Heat pump maintenance should be performed twice a year since heat pumps both heat and cool your home. Schedule heat pump maintenance once in the spring before the cooling season, and again in the fall before winter hits. Routine heat pump maintenance will prevent breakdowns, keep your system performing efficiently, and can help extend the expected lifespan of your unit. A well-maintained heat pump should perform reliably for 15-20 years.

6 – Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clear

Heat pumps have an indoor coil and an outdoor unit. Your outdoor unit can easily get clogged up with grass clippings, leaves, and other outdoor debris. It’s important to inspect your outdoor unit regularly and keep it clear to maximize airflow and performance.

7 – Use a Higher Fan Speed

You’ll be surprised by the area your air handler can cover. Make sure that your air handler is unobstructed and is directed towards an open space. Then play with the fan settings to see which speed to see how fast the room will heat up when your system runs. The higher the fan speed the louder the ambient noise, so adjust it to the highest speed you’re comfortable with to make the most of the air movement in a room.

8 – Use the Right Mode To Match Your Comfort Needs

Most heat pumps have three different modes for summer. “Cool” is best for hot days, while “dry” can help fight humidity better. When it’s a comfortable temperature out, but you’d just like a little relief from the heat, opt for “fan” mode. This mode won’t cool the air, but it will help circulate it around the room.

Talk To Novak for Heat Pump Service in the Cedar Rapids, IA Area

Heat pumps are a great HVAC system for home comfort. If you’re interested in learning more about heat pumps or are having issues with yours, talk to your trained and experienced local HVAC professional at Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning. We’re happy to answer all of your heat pump questions and provide services to keep your system working properly. Contact us today to learn more about heat pumps.

As your furnace ages, it will experience issues that can disrupt the comfort of your home. Age is a big factor in how long you can expect your furnace to continue working reliably, but a well-maintained, older furnace can still work well. Every furnace problem doesn’t indicate that your furnace needs to be replaced immediately, but knowing the symptoms that your furnace is going out can help prepare you for the inevitable.

Novak Heating, Cooling, and Duct Cleaning share what you should look out for if you’ll need a new heating system soon.

How Long Do Furnaces Last?

The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years. Maintaining your furnace with a regular tune up service is a great way to make sure that your furnace lasts as long as possible. When your furnace starts experiencing issues, the biggest factor in whether you need a new furnace or not is its age. If you notice any of the following signs and your furnace is over 15 years old, then you’ll want to start considering replacing it.

A professional HVAC technician will be able to tell you your furnace’s age if you’re unsure. When you need furnace repairs, ask the technician if it would make more sense to make the repair or to replace the heating system. Most of the time, if the furnace is less than 15 years old, repairs are an affordable way to restore comfort to your home.

Warning Signs That You May Need A Furnace Replacement

1 – Frequent Repairs

It’s not abnormal to need furnace repairs once a season. However, if it seems like you’re on a first-name basis with your local HVAC contractor because you’ve had them over for repairs so frequently, it might make more sense to replace your furnace.

2 – Cold Air

If you put your hand to your home’s heating registers and feel cold air blowing out instead of warm air, this is one of the signs your furnace is going out. Oftentimes, cold air coming from vents means that your furnace’s blower fan isn’t functioning correctly. The blower motor and fan are incredibly important parts of your home’s HVAC system, and it might be in your best interest to replace the whole HVAC system rather than have it repaired.

3 – Strange Noises and Odors

Another common sign of a failing furnace is strange noises and odors when your system is running. When you turn on your furnace for the first time, it’s not uncommon to notice an odor, but it will quickly dissipate. Persistent odors like stinky socks, burning, or dusty smells are issues that should be addressed quickly. Noises like screeching, banging, and buzzing are also worrisome. Oftentimes, noises are key indicators of malfunctioning parts, and ignoring these issues for too long can cause problems to snowball and create bigger problems.

4 – Yellow Pilot Light

A gas furnace uses natural gas to warm the air. Your furnace’s pilot light should always be blue. If you notice that it is yellow, it indicates that the gas is not burning off completely and carbon monoxide could be leaking into your home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. It’s smart to have carbon monoxide detectors located near your furnace and throughout your home to make you aware of a dangerous leak. If your furnace isn’t vented properly, your burner is dirty, or you have a cracked heat exchanger, you may experience a carbon monoxide leak. If your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide, it is not safe and you will need to replace it immediately.

5- Increased Dust

Increased dust around your home’s registers is one of the common signs your furnace is failing. Try changing your air filter to see if that helps, or look into air duct cleaning services as these can be common causes of increased dust as well. However, if you’ve tried both of these solutions and you’re still finding lots of dust around your home, it’s most likely the furnace.

6 – Increased Heating Bills

A sudden increase in heating bills is a big warning sign that should never be ignored. Sometimes it’s easy to find the cause, like suddenly frigid days, but other times it’s because of broken mechanical elements and your furnace’s age. A new furnace will help greatly reduce heating costs and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

7 – Poor Temperature Control

When you keep turning up the thermostat, but you still feel cold spots around your home, or your home just doesn’t seem warm enough, it could be your furnace just can’t keep up anymore. A new heating system will be able to heat every corner of your home consistently.

Call Novak For Furnace Replacement Services

If you’re ready to start the furnace buying process, talk to Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning today. We can give you an estimate and help you find the right-sized furnace for your home. Contact us today to get started.

When you’re looking for a reliable company to take care of your commercial HVAC system, don’t trust just anyone. Although your business’ HVAC system serves the same purpose as your heating and cooling system at home, there are some key commercial and residential HVAC differences that you should be aware of. While it may be easy to call a number you see on an HVAC company’s truck, doing your research first makes sure they will service commercial HVAC systems as well as residential ones.

The team at Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning explains the differences between residential and commercial HVAC systems and why it’s important to only trust qualified pros on your business’ heating and cooling systems.

6 Differences Between Commercial and Residential HVAC Systems

HVAC is not a one-size-fits-all kind of industry. Systems are often built custom with a team of mechanical engineers to create the optimal comfort experience. Your home may have a different HVAC system than your neighbor’s house, just like one business might have different HVAC needs than another business down the street. If you are looking for a commercial HVAC systems company, make sure they are experienced in dealing with these types of systems because there are many differences between residential and commercial systems.

1 – Location

When you have a business, you want to make as much use of the floor space as possible, and using a room to house a furnace can be a costly expense. Most commercial HVAC systems are mounted on rooftops. This is also because larger commercial HVAC systems are noisier than residential models. By placing these systems on the roof, you eliminate noise pollution and save floor space.

2 – Size

The size of your home’s HVAC system is based proportionally to the home’s size. However, commercial HVAC systems are so large, they require more space. It’s not just the units themselves that are larger. Commercial HVAC systems have much larger components that demand more space. If you wanted to make a large hardware store comfortable, it would take dozens of small residential HVAC systems to match the power of one commercial unit.

3 – Complexity

Although they might be the same size, a factory might have different climate control needs than a big box store. A commercial building that manufactures materials will have different needs than a warehouse storing perishable foods. That is, businesses need to run at a cooler or hotter temperature inside to preserve the materials or to make a room colder to prevent the factory equipment from overheating. Many commercial properties require different temperature zones. There are many complex factors that go into designing commercial HVAC systems.

4 – Drainage

A residential HVAC system contains one drainage pan to eliminate condensation. Commercial HVAC systems contain multiple pipes and pans to create a drainage system to ensure complete evaporation and eliminate the possibility of overflowing. These large and complex drainage systems require planning and careful installation.

5 – Manufacturing

Residential units are usually a split system, with one inside and the other outside. You cannot expand or add to your home’s heating and cooling systems, you can only replace them. A commercial HVAC unit is designed to be modular. Both systems are often housed in one unit and can be easily added upon. Commercial properties often adapt and conform to the business operating within them. One year a building might be a grocery store and the next year it might be a gym. The HVAC system requirements for these different kinds of businesses affect how the building should be heated and cooled, so the HVAC system needs to be easily changed.

6 – Maintenance Requirements

Because a commercial system is much larger and much more intricate, it’s more likely parts will break and things will need to be repaired. You may find that you need maintenance and repairs more frequently on a commercial system than on a residential system and that these repairs can cost much more. It’s important to hire certified technicians that are familiar with the complex nature of your commercial HVAC system. Experienced commercial technicians use state of the art equipment to troubleshoot the problems. Highly trained professional technicians make sure your system is running as efficiently as possible and can make repairs quickly.

Trust Novak With Your Cedar Rapids Commercial HVAC Systems

Both businesses and residential properties can trust their commercial properties in Cedar Rapids to Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning. We have experienced technicians and the right certifications to handle both kinds of systems. We provide quality installation, maintenance, and repairs to make sure that your commercial HVAC system runs smoothly and keeps your employees and customers comfortable. Contact us today to learn more about our commercial HVAC system services.

You may have heard about smart thermostat systems and are wondering if they’re really worth the hype. The team at Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning lists some of our favorite benefits of switching to a smart thermostat. You won’t just see reductions in your energy bills, these devices also add convenience, control, and energy efficiency to your home.

How Do Smart Thermostats Compare to Older Models?

Programmable thermostats have been considered a helpful tool for energy conservation in American homes for many years. An estimated 25 million U.S. households have a programmable thermostat installed. However, just having a programmable thermostat in your home isn’t enough. In order to reap the financial benefits, you need to learn how to create schedules and program your thermostat to work for you.

According to the Energy Information Administration’s most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey in 2015, approximately 76.8 million U.S. households use central air conditioning systems, but only 48.4 million of those homes have programmable thermostats. Furthermore, only 14.1 million of these households program their thermostat. Of these households, studies indicate varying use of thermostat settings and energy-saving strategies. Frankly, most homeowners don’t know how to effectively program their thermostats.

For this reason, recent technological developments have improved upon programmable thermostats to provide additional benefits. Wi-Fi thermostats allow for remote temperature adjustments so users can change temperatures without physically being at their thermostats, if the settings aren’t effective, savings do not result. Smart thermostats make adjusting the temperature settings much easier and more innovative so you don’t need to find your thermostat manual to figure out how to set a schedule.

Smart Thermostat Benefits

Besides being easy to control, smart thermostats come with a variety of other benefits that make sense. When you make the switch, you’ll notice a number of smart thermostat benefits, such as:

1 – Increased Energy Savings

Smart thermostats are much easier to program than other thermostats. Most smart thermostats come with an easy-to-use app that allows you to set schedules throughout the day from your phone or tablet. If you’re at work, your home’s temperature doesn’t need to be as warm, otherwise, you’re paying to heat an empty house. If you love coming home to a nice warm house, you can set up a schedule for the heating system to start raising the temperature during your commute. By lowering your temperature while you are away you’ll notice the energy savings right away on your utility bill.

2 – Easy To Monitor Energy Usage

Smart thermostats record data regarding household energy consumption. This information can be viewed by logging into the corresponding mobile app or online portal. The data provided by switching to smart thermostat models can help you visualize the positive impacts of energy conservation and help you identify areas where improvements can be made.

3 – Geofencing

Instead of programming a schedule yourself, many smart thermostats offer geofencing technology to ensure your home is always at the perfect temperature when you arrive. Using your mobile phone’s location and making observations of your schedule, the thermostat can identify when you are headed home and make temperature adjustments just before arrival to return your rooms to a comfortable temperature when you walk in.

4 – Maintenance Reminders

Switching to a smart thermostat model helps you stay on top of maintenance and repairs. Your smart thermostat constantly monitors HVAC system energy use and can detect changes in consumption. Through the thermostat face or mobile app, it can alert you to the need for maintenance such as filter changes, or notify you when energy consumption has increased, which can indicate a malfunction that requires HVAC repair.

5 – Remote Access

Do you have teenagers that stay home alone and adjust the thermostat without permission? With remote access, you can get mobile alerts to see when your thermostat’s temperature settings have been changed. Then, from your phone, you can change them back. If you go on vacation and forget to adjust the thermostat before you leave, with your phone, you can lower the temperature on your smart thermostat to help you save energy while you’re away.

Smart Thermostats from Novak Heating & Cooling

If you’re thinking of installing a smart thermostat in your Hiawatha area home to save money by reducing energy costs, give Novak Heating & Cooling a call! We offer a great selection of new smart thermostats to ensure compatibility with your home’s HVAC system and provide the comfort control and convenience you desire. Contact us today to learn more about how a smart thermostat can help lower your home’s energy usage.

A lot of people don’t know what is the difference between air ducts and air vents, and it’s an understandable mistake. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a big difference between the two. Novak Heating and Cooling explain the key differences between air ducts and air vents so you can better understand how they work and how to care for them.

What Are Air Ducts?

The ductwork of a forced air HVAC system is responsible for delivering the conditioned air throughout the building. The ducts are typically made of sheet metal or similar material that is sturdy enough to withstand the pressures of the airflow. The size of the ducts can vary depending on the layout of your home. Ducts are often insulated to help reduce noise and prevent heat loss. In some cases, the ductwork may also include a system of baffles or dampers that help to regulate the flow of air.

When your furnace or air conditioning is running, there is a fan inside the HVAC unit that blows the air through a network of distribution ducts, where it is then distributed evenly throughout the house.

Return ducts play an important role in your home’s HVAC system, too. They are the air ducts that carry air from your home back to the furnace or air conditioner.

What Are Air Vents?

The air vents of an HVAC system are the openings through which air is delivered into the room. The size, shape, and location of the air vents are determined by the design of the HVAC system. The most common type of air vent is the floor vent, which is designed to deliver air into the room at a low level. Other types of air vents include ceiling vents, wall vents, and register vents.

The air vents in your home are an important part of your HVAC system. They help to circulate air throughout the house and keep the temperature regulated. The return vents allow stale indoor air to enter the return ducts and cycle back to the HVAC unit. The air is then warmed or cooled by the HVAC system and pushed back out through the distribution ducts and vents. Supply vents blow conditioned air out of them. Supply vents are often high on walls or near the ceiling. This process helps to ensure that the air in your home is clean and comfortable.

How to Clean Air Ducts and Air Vents

Many people don’t realize how important it is to keep their air ducts clean. Over time, dirt, dust, and other allergens can build up in the ductwork, and when the furnace or air conditioning kicks on, these contaminants are circulated through the home. The build up can cause low air flow to particular rooms and create hot and cold spots throughout your house, not to mention indoor air quality issues like respiratory issues, headaches, and fatigue.

Professional air duct cleaning can help to remove these contaminants and improve indoor air quality. The process is simple: a specially trained technician will insert a powerful vacuum into the ductwork and remove all the buildup. In most cases, the entire system can be cleaned in just a few hours. And best of all, regular duct cleaning can help to extend the life of your HVAC system. This service should be performed every 3 to 5 years or more often if needed.

To keep your system running smoothly and prevent the spread of contaminants in your home’s air, it’s important to clean your HVAC air vent covers on a regular basis. The frequency with which you need to clean them will depend on the type of system you have and the characteristics of your home, but in general, it’s a good idea to do so at least once a month. Here’s how:

• First, start by vacuuming the area around the vent cover to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated there.
• Next, remove the vent cover and use a mild soap and water solution to clean the vent cover itself.
• Be sure to rinse it thoroughly afterward.
• Once the cover is dry, you can put it back in place.

Professional Duct Services in Cedar Rapids, IA from Novak

The bottom line is that air ducts and vents are not the same things, and it’s important to understand the difference in order to maintain a healthy home environment. If you have any questions about your ventilation system or would like to schedule a duct cleaning, please contact Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning today.

Winter is definitely coming, which means it’s time to start thinking about buying a new furnace. If you’re like most homeowners, you have a lot of questions about how can I just buy a furnace and what the process entails. Novak Heating and Cooling explains the steps for buying a new furnace, so you can be prepared for what’s to come.

The Furnace Buying Process

If you’re not familiar with the process, you may be surprised that buying a new heating appliance for your home is much different than buying any other kind of appliance. You can purchase a new furnace by yourself from a retailer, but it’s always best to buy a new furnace from a licensed HVAC contractor. Not only will they be able to recommend the best model for your needs, but they’ll also be able to install it correctly and ensure that it meets all the necessary safety standards. In the long run, buying a new furnace from a licensed and reputable HVAC company will save you money, hassle, and peace of mind.

Size of the Furnace

When looking for a furnace replacement, it is important to keep in mind that the process will vary somewhat depending on the specific company you work with. First, the contractor will need to size the furnace according to the square footage of your home and the number of BTUs (British thermal units) required to heat the space. This information will allow you to choose the proper size furnace. A furnace that is too small will have to work harder to heat your home, while a furnace that is too large will be less efficient as well.

Fuel Source

When purchasing a new furnace, you might also want to consider the fuel sources available. Many homes have a natural gas furnace, but if you are looking to move away from burning fossil fuels, you might want to consider an electric furnace. It’s important to consider the heating bills you can expect as well as the furnace cost. Gas furnaces are typically cheaper to operate than electric furnaces, but you will need to have a gas line installed if you don’t already have one.

Efficiency Ratings

Heating your home can be a big expense, so it’s important to choose a furnace that is both energy efficient and economical to operate. With so many factors to consider, it’s important to do your research before purchasing a new furnace. Newer furnaces are much more efficient than older models, so it’s worth considering an upgrade if your furnace is more than a few years old. A high-efficiency furnace might be a tempting option to lower your energy bills in the long run, but the higher the energy efficiency of a new furnace, often the higher the furnace costs. Talk with your HVAC system technician about a reasonable budget that you can expect to spend on a new heating system.

Consider a New Air Conditioner, Too

When shopping for a new furnace, it’s important to think about cooling equipment, too. Installing a new furnace and air conditioner at the same time has a number of benefits for homeowners. When both units are new, they will be matched to work together more efficiently than when one is new and one is old. There will be less guesswork on when you’ll need to replace your HVAC systems down the line because they will both be the same age.

Second, buying both units at the same time can save you money on labor costs and return trips for a second installation date. Finally, installing both units at the same time can save you time and hassle as everything is done all at once. By replacing both units at the same time, you can avoid inconvenience.

Professional Furnace Installation from Novak

When you work with an HVAC professional, you can rest assured that your new furnace will be installed properly. Following complete installation, your HVAC installer will perform a combustion efficiency test to ensure that the furnace is operating safely and efficiently. Finally, they will walk you through how to operate the furnace and answer any questions you may have.

Start Your Search for a New Furnace For Your Cedar Rapids, IA Home

The best way to learn about your options and find the perfect furnace for your home is to contact Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning to schedule a consultation. We can provide you with a quote for installation and answer any questions you may have about furnaces and even air conditioners.