Akron homes bring a completely different set of heating, cooling, and plumbing challenges depending on the neighborhood. Around West Exchange Street, Kenmore, and Goodyear Heights, we regularly work in older homes with aging boiler lines, retrofitted duct systems, and plumbing that has been modified across decades of ownership changes. Other calls take us into split-level homes near Massillon Road where additions and finished spaces now place far more demand on the original HVAC layout than it was ever designed to handle.
Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning handles these kinds of Akron service calls every day. We help homeowners solve second-floor heat buildup, winter airflow problems, basement moisture concerns, and aging water heaters that are nearing the end of their lifespan. Because our technicians already work throughout Summit County every week, we understand the infrastructure, layouts, and comfort issues common throughout Akron homes. Call (330) 536-1276 or contact Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning online to schedule service in Akron.
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What Starts Breaking First in Akron Homes
Akron homes rarely have simple, straightforward system layouts. Across neighborhoods like North Hill, Ellet, and Firestone Park, we regularly work around older infrastructure mixed with newer upgrades, including retrofitted ductwork, aging plumbing lines, and HVAC systems trying to condition spaces that were added onto the home years later.
That is why many service calls in Akron begin with smaller comfort complaints instead of total breakdowns. One room never feels right, the upstairs gets too warm during summer, the basement starts smelling damp after storms, or utility bills slowly climb without any obvious cause. Those are the kinds of ongoing issues Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning helps homeowners solve throughout Akron.
Heating Systems in Akron Often Struggle Long Before They Fail
Older Akron neighborhoods were built during very different heating eras. Some homes near Firestone Park and Lane-Wooster still rely on older boiler configurations, while others have forced-air systems that were retrofitted into homes never originally designed for central heating. Over time, those systems begin showing strain in ways homeowners slowly adapt to without realizing how inefficient things have become.
Our Akron heating services include:
- Emergency heating repair
- Furnace repair
- Furnace installation
- Heating maintenance
- Boiler services
- Heat pump services
- Geothermal systems
- Space heating
- Snowmelt systems
- Commercial heating
- New construction HVAC
A house that takes too long to warm up, cold spots near exterior walls, rattling ductwork, or a furnace that constantly cycles on and off are all signs we hear about throughout Akron during winter. In many homes, the equipment itself is only part of the problem. Restricted airflow, aging return ducts, neglected maintenance, and older insulation levels often work together to make heating systems far less effective than homeowners realize.
Cooling Problems Hit Different in Older Akron Neighborhoods
Air conditioning problems across Akron usually show up room by room before the entire system fails. Homeowners near Wallhaven and Highland Square often tell us the downstairs feels fine while upstairs bedrooms stay warm deep into the evening. In older brick homes, retained heat can continue building inside the structure long after outdoor temperatures begin dropping.
Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning provides:
- Emergency AC services
- AC repair
- AC installation
- AC maintenance
- Ductless air conditioning
- Packaged units
- Heat pump cooling
- Commercial AC
- New construction HVAC
A large percentage of Akron cooling calls involve homes where the air conditioner still runs but the airflow no longer matches the layout of the house. Older duct systems, undersized returns, blocked airflow paths, and additions built onto the home years later can all create temperature swings that standard thermostat readings fail to reveal.
Akron Plumbing Systems Tell You Their Age Pretty Quickly
Plumbing problems in Akron tend to reflect the age of the neighborhood. Around older parts of the city, we regularly encounter galvanized piping, aging shutoff valves, and drain systems that have handled decades of use. In some homes, you can still trace several generations of plumbing repairs stacked on top of one another.
Our plumbing services throughout Akron include:
- Plumbing installation
- Plumbing repair
- Water heater repair and replacement
- Drain cleaning
- Bathroom remodel plumbing
- Faucet repair and installation
- Leak detection
- Gas line installation
- Garbage disposals
- Toilet repair and replacement
- Sink plumbing
- Sump pump services
Water heater failures are especially common in Akron homes where equipment has been pushed years beyond its expected lifespan. We also spend a lot of time helping homeowners protect finished basements from water intrusion during heavy rain, particularly in areas where grading, older drainage systems, or sump reliability become ongoing concerns during spring weather.
Indoor Air Problems Usually Build Slowly in Akron Homes
Most indoor air quality complaints do not happen overnight. Homeowners in Akron usually notice small changes over time, including more dust around vents, dry air during heating season, stale basement odors, or rooms that always feel heavier and more humid than the rest of the house.
We install and service:
- Air cleaners
- Air scrubbers
- Air purifiers
- Humidifiers
- Dehumidifiers
- Thermostats
- Carbon monoxide detection
- Air ducts and ductwork
Akron’s mix of older basements, long winters, tree-heavy neighborhoods, and aging duct systems creates a perfect environment for airflow and humidity problems to slowly develop over several seasons. In many homes, improving filtration and balancing airflow properly changes how the entire house feels without requiring major equipment replacement.
Akron Homeowners Usually Call Us After Getting Frustrated Somewhere Else
Many Akron homeowners call us after feeling frustrated with unclear answers or being told they need full replacement before anyone fully diagnoses the problem. Older homes around North Hill, West Akron, and Firestone Park can be difficult to work in because systems have usually been repaired, expanded, or modified multiple times over the years.
Homeowners throughout Akron rely on Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning for emergency repairs, furnace and AC troubleshooting, honest evaluations, and technicians who understand older homes. Our goal is simple. Explain the problem clearly, fix it correctly, and help homeowners make informed decisions without unnecessary pressure.
What Akron Homeowners Had To Say After The Job Was Finished
I’m so thankful for Jake and Ranko at Lakes for helping me with a repair to keep my old furnace going. They were both so patient with my questions and concerns as I prayerfully navigated the decision whether to repair or replace.
Jake did excellent work. He was familiar with this heater and knew what to look for in a 20+ year old unit. He drove an hour to get the new blower and capacitor and still finished before lunchtime.
The repair representative Nick Deuri was very knowledgeable and professional. A good example of the perfect employee for Lakes Heating and Cooling.
Talk With A Team That Understands Akron Homes
Akron homes come with their own set of challenges, especially when systems have been modified, repaired, or expanded over decades of ownership. That is why experience inside older homes matters just as much as the equipment itself.
Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning works throughout Akron every week helping homeowners solve heating, cooling, plumbing, and airflow problems that generic one-size-fits-all solutions often miss. Whether you live near Highland Square, Ellet, Firestone Park, or closer to Merriman Valley, our team is ready to help. Call (330) 536-1276 or contact us online today to schedule service in Akron, OH.
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Lakes Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing INC has completed 20 jobs in Akron, OH in October 2026. The most recent job was on October 14, 2026. Lakes Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing INC has completed 759 jobs in Akron, OH in the last 12 months.Recent Jobs and Reviews in Akron, OH
Akron, OH at a glance
Job Locations and Reviews
Replaced the existing furnace with a new 70K BTU, 96% AFUE, upflow/horizontal gas furnace (ML196UH070XE48B). Fabricated and installed supply and return plenum transitions, connected gas piping with a new gas valve and flexible gas connector, and installed PVC venting and condensate drain components. Installed a new filter, CO/smoke combination detector, and magnetic filter cover, then cleaned up the work area and tested the system for proper operation.
Performed scheduled commercial heating maintenance on an Armstrong Air upright gas furnace, inspecting the cabinet, flue and condensate piping, gas line with shutoff valve, and connected supply ductwork. Noted heavy condensation on the galvanized duct surface with a measured surface temperature of 55.8°F, along with peeling foil tape at a duct seam, indicating a need for insulation and seam sealing to prevent moisture accumulation and potential damage. Recommend re-sealing the duct seams and insulating the affected ductwork.
Performed annual heating maintenance on a 10-year-old basement furnace, including inspection of the combustion system and a flue gas analysis with a Bacharach combustion analyzer. Readings on natural gas showed O2 at 7.5%, CO at 92 ppm, CO2 at 7.6%, and combustion efficiency of 79.6%, which were documented for the equipment record.
Performed fall heating maintenance on a natural gas furnace, including a combustion analysis using a Bacharach analyzer. Readings were within normal operating range at O2 6.5%, CO2 8.1%, CO 12 ppm, and steady-state efficiency of 82.3%, confirming proper combustion and safe operation of the appliance.
Responded to a no-heat complaint on the main floor of a hydronic heating system, with only the upper level receiving heat. Inspected the boiler, circulator, motorized zone valves, and associated control wiring and piping in the mechanical closet, noting surface corrosion and dust accumulation on the boiler cabinet. Evaluated zone valve and control operation to isolate the cause of the lost main-floor heat call, and documented system conditions with photos for further recommendations.
Performed a complete furnace tune-up, including cleaning and inspecting the inducer blower assembly, pressure switches, gas valve, flue connections, and associated wiring, with no visible damage, rust, or abnormalities noted. Conducted a combustion analysis on the flue gases, recording 8.9% O2, 2 ppm CO, and 3 ppm CO-AF with 65.8% excess air, confirming safe and proper operation. Furnace is operating within normal parameters, and the customer was enrolled in the maintenance agreement with a copy provided.
Removed the existing garage furnace and installed a new replacement unit, with associated ductwork modifications to tie the supply and return into the existing distribution system. Cut access openings in the garage wall drywall and disturbed the R-19 fiberglass batt insulation to route and secure the duct and furnace connections. Left the wall cavities open for insulation repair and drywall patching by the finishing trades.
Completed A/C and coil retrofit installation on a residential split system charged with R-454B refrigerant. Verified system performance with a digital manifold gauge set, recording 116.7 psig suction pressure, 283.3 psig discharge pressure, 20.3°F superheat, and 6.5°F subcooling, with saturation temperatures of 43.9°F vapor and 95.0°F liquid. Confirmed charge and operating readings are within acceptable range for system operation.
Performed fall heating maintenance, including a combustion analysis on the natural gas furnace using a calibrated flue gas analyzer. Readings showed O2 at 7.08%, CO2 at 7.75%, and CO at 11 ppm, confirming clean combustion and safe operation within acceptable limits.
Performed seasonal heating maintenance on an 11-year-old natural gas furnace, removing the upper access panel to inspect the burner compartment, gas valve assembly, wiring harness, and blower motor. Conducted flue gas combustion analysis, recording 6.2% O2, 26 ppm CO, and 37 ppm CO air-free at 37.5% excess air, confirming combustion within acceptable parameters. Noted dust accumulation and light corrosion on the cabinet floor of the interior compartment, which should be monitored at future visits.
Completed furnace retrofit installation in mechanical room. Removed existing heating unit and installed new gray metal furnace with proper ductwork connections to existing HVAC system. Ensured all supply and return air ducts were properly sealed and secured to new unit. Verified clearances around equipment meet manufacturer specifications and local code requirements. Tested system operation and confirmed proper airflow throughout distribution system.
Completed fall heating maintenance on Rinnai unit. Performed combustion analysis using Testo 310 analyzer, recording oxygen levels at 9.0-9.3% and carbon monoxide readings at 1-28 ppm. Documented model and serial numbers of existing equipment and identified two additional units requiring future service integration.
# Furnace Maintenance Completed
Performed comprehensive preventive maintenance on a 30-year-old gas furnace system. Accessed internal components by removing front service panel to inspect blower motor assembly, inducer motor, and electrical connections. Verified proper operation of all mechanical components including blower wheel and motor mountings. Inspected wiring throughout unit, noting red, white, and black conductor connections to control board and safety devices.
Examined air filtration system, noting significant dust accumulation on mesh filter screen. Cleaned or replaced filter media as needed to restore proper airflow. Checked filter retention mechanism and housing integrity. Inspected copper refrigerant or gas lines at unit base, including connections and shut-off valve. Verified flexible conduit connections remained secure.
Tested all electrical connections and control circuits for proper voltage and continuity. Confirmed blower motor operation and assessed overall syst
Completed fall maintenance on heating system. Performed combustion analysis using gas analyzer, recording oxygen levels at 9.62%, carbon monoxide at 11 ppm, and carbon dioxide at 6.34%, all within acceptable operating parameters. System tested and confirmed operating safely and efficiently.
Completed installation of a Trane 17.5-ton rooftop unit on a commercial building with proper mounting, electrical disconnect, and weatherproofing. The RTU was secured to the roof structure with support pads and mounting brackets, with all penetrations sealed appropriately. Unit was positioned, leveled, and verified operational with all safety labels and specifications clearly visible on the equipment.
Completed annual heating maintenance on 17-year-old furnace located in basement. Performed combustion analysis using Testo 327-1 analyzer, confirming proper operation with natural gas readings of 7.3% CO2 and 9 ppm CO, indicating efficient and safe combustion within manufacturer specifications.
Completed fall maintenance on heating system. Performed combustion analysis using digital gas detector, verifying proper operation with readings showing oxygen at 88%, carbon monoxide at 18 ppm, and carbon dioxide at 6.8%. All safety checks and seasonal maintenance procedures completed per manufacturer specifications.
Completed furnace retrofit installation in basement mechanical room. Installed new furnace unit with PVC intake and exhaust venting system, connected to existing ductwork infrastructure, and integrated air filtration component to ensure proper system operation and code compliance.
Completed full HVAC system replacement including new air handler unit and outdoor condensing unit. Installed new refrigerant lines, suction line accumulator, and all necessary copper piping with proper insulation and brass fittings. System was mounted, connected, tested, and verified operational with all components functioning to manufacturer specifications.
Completed full HVAC system installation featuring an 80% efficiency downflow furnace with new refrigerant lineset. Installed dual outdoor condensing units on concrete pads with proper electrical disconnects and positioned new indoor air handling equipment in utility area with appropriate drainage and ventilation connections.
