In the Northland of Kansas City, where winter temperatures can fall below zero, summer heat can climb into the triple digits, and dramatic shifts can happen within a single day, homeowners need an HVAC system that can respond quickly and maintain consistent comfort throughout the year. For Jake Bollinger and his family, that need became increasingly important when the aging system in their 4,700-square-foot home began showing clear signs that it was nearing the end of its service life.
The first major warning came when the blower motor began making a loud squealing noise that was so pronounced, Bollinger’s son initially mistook it for a tornado siren. After looking more closely at the equipment, Bollinger discovered that a condensate line had been draining over the back of the unit, causing significant rust damage inside the system and confirming that a full replacement was the most practical next step.
Rather than simply replacing the old equipment with a similar system, he wanted to make a long-term investment in newer technology that could provide greater comfort, reliable performance, efficient operation, and greater peace of mind for his family. After speaking with a friend familiar with Navien’s hydronic furnace technology, he decided to move forward with a complete Navien HVAC solution designed to serve the home’s multiple levels and respond to Kansas City’s wide range of seasonal conditions.
The new system includes two Navien NAZ heat pumps, with a 5-ton unit serving the main level and finished basement and a 3-ton unit serving the upper floor, along with two NPF Hydro-furnaces rated at 100,000 and 60,000 BTU/h.
The NAZ Series uses an inverter-driven compressor and capacity matching technology to automatically adjust output based on the home’s heating or cooling demand rather than simply operating at full capacity every time the system turns on. The heat pumps are designed to operate across outdoor temperatures ranging from -4°F in heating mode to 124°F in cooling mode, making the technology particularly well suited to a climate like Kansas City’s.
The NPF Hydro-furnaces add another layer of comfort. Unlike a conventional gas furnace that places the combustion heat exchanger directly in the conditioned airstream, the NPF burns gas inside a sealed stainless steel heat exchanger that is isolated from the air moving through the home. Heated water then transfers that energy to the airstream through a hydronic coil. This allows the system to deliver gentle, even heat.
The NPF also operates from approximately 15% to 100% of its heating capacity, allowing it to provide a smaller amount of heat during milder weather and increase output as outdoor temperatures fall. Combined with 97% AFUE efficiency, this variable-capacity approach is designed to maintain more consistent indoor temperatures without relying solely on repeated full-output heating cycles.
For a project of this size, Bollinger was especially pleased with how smoothly the replacement process went. “The team was professional, clean and in and out within two days,” said Bollinger. “I was impressed with both the workmanship and the technology.” Once the new system was running, the difference was immediately noticeable, particularly in how quickly the home could reach the desired temperature. “The number one benefit would be the response time,” said Bollinger. “With our old system, it would take significantly longer for our house to cool down.”
That experience aligns with the way the NAZ system is designed to operate. Instead of relying on a traditional fixed-output compressor, its inverter technology continuously adjusts capacity to better match the home’s current demand, helping the system maintain comfort more precisely as conditions change.
Bollinger also noted that the family’s utility bills have remained relatively steady despite higher electricity rates, giving him added confidence in the efficiency of the new system. The NAZ heat pumps are designed for high-efficiency operation, while the NPF hydro-furnaces convert up to 97% of the fuel they use into heat for the home, helping reduce wasted energy.
“The quieter operation has made a big difference for us, especially in the basement where we have our home theater. With the old system, you could really hear it running, but now it’s much less noticeable”. The NPF is designed to reduce operating sound through isolated combustion, variable-capacity operation and intelligent blower ramping, while the NAZ incorporates sound-reducing features including a compressor blanket and swept-wing fan design.
The system has also required very little attention from the homeowner, which has been an important advantage for a busy family. Nearly six months after installation, Bollinger reported that he had not needed to make any significant adjustments, giving him confidence that the system can continue to provide reliable comfort without becoming another ongoing maintenance concern.
“The system is very responsive, and once we set the thermostats where we want them, it keeps the home comfortable.”
For the Bollinger family, replacing an aging and unreliable HVAC system with a complete Navien solution has delivered faster response times, quieter operation and more consistent comfort across every season. The combination of variable-capacity heating, inverter-driven heat pump technology and high-efficiency operation gives the home a system designed to adapt as Kansas City weather changes.
Just as importantly, it has given the family peace of mind to spend less time thinking about their HVAC equipment and more time enjoying their home together.
