Selling Your House? Invest In Your HVAC

How can you improve the chances of selling your home? Take a good look at your heating and cooling equipment. If your home currently has an oil-fired heating plant, consider converting it to natural gas. The lower cost of operating natural gas furnaces and boilers is overwhelmingly attractive right now. But buyers are looking at more than out-of-pocket costs to operate the equipment.

Natural gas and heating oil are about equal from an operational perspective, but oil-fired heating equipment carries an inherent risk of spilling. The seemingly ever-increasing cost of heating oil, onsite storage and the cost of extra insurance for oil-spill related accidents could be a showstopper for potential buyers. If you have the cash available, convert. You’ll also get extra points for being able to say your home has a brand new furnace or boiler.

Old air conditioning or no air conditioning provide two more reasons for buyers to look past your home. New, high-efficiency air conditioners can be very economical to operate and can also be more environmentally friendly than older models. Older model air conditioners use older refrigerants, which – depending upon what you need – could be in short supply. Buyers who are looking ahead may see high replacement costs in their future.

One economical alternative for old systems or homes that have no air conditioning may be a mini-split AC system. These systems are highly cost-effective, provide zone cooling and install quickly. They can also solve other problems like those posed by ductwork – or lack of it! Some homes – especially those with hot-water or steam heat – may not have ductwork to begin with. Other homes may have ductwork that’s been compromised by asbestos or other hazards. The mini-split alternative provides excellent cooling with none of the retrofit hassle of a whole-house air conditioning system.

If you’re thinking about selling your home and you’d like an assessment of your home’s heating and cooling equipment, please give us a call at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911. We’ll be happy to evaluate your current heating and cooling equipment or consult with you on an oil-to-gas conversion.

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Heating Season Can Bring Added Hazards

CO is a colorless, odorless gas. It can be a natural by-product of combustion and it will kill you, your family or anyone else it comes in contact with. CO is usually vented out of homes through the chimney or other direct-vent system. You’ll encounter it wherever you burn natural gas or other fuels (like wood, charcoal, kerosene or oil) for heat.

In the winter, some people attempt to use their gas stoves as an alternative, supplemental or even a primary heat source, especially during power outages. They rationalize that it should be safe, since the gas that flows from the burner is “completely” consumed, doesn’t require additional venting and shouldn’t pose a hazard to humans.

Nothing is farther from the truth. Gas stoves used as heat sources can certainly cause carbon monoxide build-ups in the home and should never be used for anything other than cooking. Your kitchen should also be equipped with ventilation equipment to prevent CO buildup from cooking. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined that CO in concentrations as little as 100 parts per million is hazardous to human health. In other words, it doesn’t take much CO to put you and your family at risk.

New building codes now require CO sensors to operate in close proximity to unvented gas-burning appliances (like stoves), but these rules don’t apply to existing structures and existing gas-burning equipment.

A common misconception about CO poisoning is that it happens over a long period of time. Actually, CO poisoning can happen in a matter of minutes. Long-term exposure to CO can cause permanent heart and neurological problems. The very young and very old are also at increased risk of experiencing permanent physical damage from CO exposure.

You should recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning and make sure your home has working CO detectors at all times. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are dizziness and nausea, shortness of breath, mild headaches, light-headedness, chest pain, confusion, agitation, visual changes, hallucinations and impaired judgment.

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, or encounter someone else who is, it’s important to get that person outside immediately. If the symptoms improve with exposure to fresh air, do not return to the building. Instead, call 911 for medical assistance and have the affected person(s) medically evaluated at a hospital. Your local fire department will vent the affected space and attempt to locate the source of the CO leak.

If you have experienced a CO leak, have all of your fuel-burning appliances checked by a heating and cooling professional before returning them to service.

CO leaks in appliances can happen without warning, or they can be the result of deferred maintenance over a long period of time. The heating and cooling professionals at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating can help you maintain your heating and cooling equipment and avoid CO mishaps. Contact us at (617) 288-2911 to schedule an inspection of your heating and cooling equipment today.

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Boston Standard Plumbing Certified Nest Installer

Nest thermostats work on just about all types of residential heating and cooling equipment, so most homeowners can take advantage of the benefits the Nest thermostat has to offer. Once installed, the Nest begins to learn about your “home and away” habits. After about a week, the Nest will have learned your basic routine. You can still make temporary changes to the Nest without throwing the programming off.

Better still, the Nest can help you save money. Using a smartphone or even your home network, you can contact the Nest to make changes to your thermostat settings, either while you’re at home or away. According to the maker, the Nest can help you reduce your home heating and cooling bills by an average of $175 per year.

The programmable thermostat differs from most typical thermostats because you can get very precise control over your utility usage. While most programmable thermostats allow you to control a couple of large time blocks on weekdays and weekends, the Nest allows you to make as many changes as needed during each day of the week.

The manufacturer has not yet started releasing this product directly to residential customers, but initial demand for the Nest has been high. As a certified installer, Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating can acquire and install a Nest thermostat in your home. If you’re interested in having a Nest thermostat installed, or would like more information about the Nest or other programmable thermostat options for your home, contact us at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911 to set up an appointment.

Photo Credit: Nest

Boston Standard Plumbing Seals Up 2011 Angie's List Super Service Award!

Making Angie’s List is special because the service ratings are all customer-driven and completely unsolicited. Angie’s List is a member-driven organization whose mission is to provide unbiased rating information to homeowners and business owners nationwide. Unlike other ratings services, the reviews are not anonymous to the reader, so you can rely on the information you receive.

We work hard at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating to ensure that our customers get prompt, fast and accurate service, and that we meet their plumbing, heating and cooling needs. We’re delighted to have been selected by our customers as being one of the most value- and service-oriented plumbing, heating and cooling firms in the Boston area, and we’re motivated to deliver the superior service we’ve become known for in the Boston area in 2012!

We offer a wide range of services to help keep the plumbing, heating and cooling systems in Boston homes in good working order. We realize that many plumbing, heating and cooling jobs are unplanned, and are the result of an unexpected event. That’s why we offer true 24-hour on-call service for our customers.

In a plumbing or heating emergency, most local firms will route your call to an answering service. As licensed plumbing, heating and cooling professionals, we realize that time is often of the essence. That’s why you speak with a member of the Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating staff when you call us after hours for help. We keep our trucks stocked with a wide range of common (and uncommon) parts so we can usually respond to the problem immediately.

Offering genuine 24-hour emergency response services is just one of the many reasons our customers recommend us. Whether you need assistance with regular heating, cooling and plumbing maintenance, or you need a professional emergency response, you can rely on Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating. Call us anytime at (617) 288-2911 and let us show you why we’re one among the best in Boston.

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New Thermostat Learns Your Heating and Cooling Preferences

This “learning” thermostat can program itself based on your habits and boasts a design that will do Apple proud. Technically, the new Nest could be considered a distant cousin of the Cupertino clan, since it was designed by Apple’s former Chief Architect Tony Fadell. As such, you can be sure that it will work with your iPhone to help keep the temperature in your nest just the way you like it, even if that means moving the temperature several times each day to suit your preferences.

The new Nest claims to be able to save you something on the order of $175 per year, but you won’t see any savings until you get past the cool $249 price tag. And just like the iPhone, you’ll need to wait a bit to get your hands on a Nest – the company is sold out until at least February 2012 and perhaps longer. Nonetheless, the Nest video is worth a look because it gives you an idea of where energy-saving technologies are headed.

The maker, Nest Labs, promises that installing the thermostat is no more complicated than the installing a light fixture, so on the surface, it seems like a reasonable DIY project. Once installed, the thermostat programs itself over the course of a week by taking note of when you increase and decrease the temperature in your home. Once the thermostat is programmed, you can make spot changes that won’t affect the device’s understanding of your general climate control preferences, but it can also spot patterns. For example, if you’re always home on Sundays and Wednesdays, the Nest will turn your thermostat up on the days you’re home and down on the days you’re not without you having to program the thermostat.

You can also make spot adjustments to the temperature using a smart phone from just about anywhere. This is great if you’re coming home early or late and want to manage the temperature of your house accordingly. The Nest also tracks when your seasonal switchover from heating to cooling occurs and keeps the temperature in the house comfy year-round.

Better yet, the Nest will tell you when your thermostat settings are energy-saving or energy-hogging, so you can learn how best to maximize the comfort of your home and save money at the same time. The Nest can also help you determine when the temperature in your home is set too low to keep your plumbing protected.

I encourage you to watch the video that’s available on the Nest website, and if you’re interested in purchasing the Nest, visit the online store and leave your contact information. The company is not currently taking orders for additional products, but will notify you when they’re ready to take more orders.

If you purchase a Nest or would like selection and installation assistance with other energy-saving thermostats, contact us at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911. We’ll be happy to make recommendations regarding programmable thermostats and show you how they can save you money on energy bills year-round.

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Photo Credit: Nest Labs

Boston Standard Plumbing Is A Trane Comfort Specialist

Within the last few months, Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating has become an authorized Trane Comfort Specialist, and that means we can bring a lot of high quality heating and cooling products and services to our Boston customers. We think Trane makes sense for our customers because Trane offers some significant benefits that you won’t find with other residential heating and cooling brands.

For example, Trane offers a product exchange policy that provides maximum customer protection. If you have a defective Trane unit installed, in most cases, Trane replaces the entire unit – not just the defective part. That’s a big bonus for customers because it means that you get a Trane unit that is “100%-right” right out of the gate.

Customers also get a parts and labor warranty that covers Trane products for up to 10 years. That kind of product and service guarantee is virtually unheard of in today’s residential heating and cooling trade.
Trane air conditioners are among the best in the business, largely because of Trane’s compressors. In air conditioning, the compressor is one of the primary components in the system. Most companies buy their compressors from a third party. Trane designs and builds its own compressors. What difference does that make to you, the customer? Since the performance of the unit relies on the compressor, Trane chooses to maintain strict control over its compressor design and manufacture. It’s probably no coincidence then, that Trane’s compressors are known to be the most durable in the industry.

Trane air conditioners are also distinguished by their coil designs. Most air conditioner coils are made from copper and have aluminum fins. If you know anything about chemistry, you know that dissimilar metals in certain circumstances undergo an electrochemical reaction that is irreparably destructive to the metals.

Trane uses a one-piece coil system that helps its products avoid electrolytic destruction. That design approach helps to reduce the number of mechanical connections in each Trane coil and also reduces the incidence of coolant leaks in Trane air conditioners. The single metal coil construction also withstands corrosion caused by the salty ocean air in the Boston area.

Trane takes the same care in design and engineering with its heating equipment, so with Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating and Trane, you know that you’re getting outstanding design, manufacture, installation and service.

If you would like more information about Trane products available through Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating, please give us a call at (617) 288-2911 anytime. Also, don’t forget to friend Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook!

Basement Flooding Can Cause Big Boiler Problems

If floodwaters make contact with your boiler, furnace or water heater, you’ll want to have these appliances replaced. Even if the unit isn’t completely submerged, replacement is warranted because water, dirt and condensation associated with flooding can accumulate in valves, gauges and controls for these devices. In addition, exposure to water can promote or accelerate the accumulation of rust and compromise the integrity of the equipment.

Do not attempt to restart a boiler or furnace that has been flooded or even partially submerged. Instead, contact a licensed HVAC contractor for an inspection. The contractor can identify the components that must be replaced, or will advise you on a complete system replacement.

Here’s something else to think about: a “manmade flood” – such as what might happen when a pipe bursts or a hot water tank gives out – can also cause significant damage. Generally, a home water heater holds 40-50 gallons of water, and tanks are often situated near furnaces or boilers. That volume of water is not enough to completely flood the basement, but it may cause significant damage to a nearby furnace or boiler.

To avoid this kind of problem, have your water tank inspected periodically for signs of rust or aging. Maintain the sacrificial anode on your hot water tank by changing it out according to manufacturer recommendations and inspect the check valve on the tank regularly. If your hot water tank sits in close proximity to your furnace, consider having it moved to a location that offers better protection to your furnace or boiler.

As a final step, verify that your homeowners’ insurance covers both “dirty” and “clean” flooding. Dirty floods are those created by natural events like rainstorms and snowmelts, where water seeps or pours into the foundation from outside. Broken or open pipes and damaged hot water tanks cause most clean flooding. You may require special additional homeowners insurance to cover both hazards, and to ensure that your HVAC equipment is completely protected against this kind of loss.

As always, if you have any issues with flooding, or with your boiler, furnace or water heater, please give Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating a call at (617) 288-2911. We offer around-the-clock service and complete furnace and boiler service in Boston. Don’t forget to friend Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook!

Photo Credit: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, via Flickr

Finding A Reputable Plumber

1. Do your homework. Look for plumbers, heating and cooling contractors, and general handyman services before you need them. You can use referral services like Angie’s List to find recommended Boston plumbers. Check references, verify the business’ standing with the Better Business Bureau and verify that any prospective contractors are licensed and insured. When the pressure is off, call for information about pricing, after-hours services, and regular maintenance services that you might be interested in.

2. Figure out what you’re most likely to need. You may have immediate needs for maintenance, replacement or repair on your major systems, or you may not know exactly what services you may need from plumbing, heating or cooling professionals. Once you’ve found a contractor you might want to work with, invite the contractor to your home for a system inspection. The contractor can give you a better idea of the age and condition of your plumbing, heating and cooling systems.

3. Shop around and ask questions about the contractor’s on-call services, hourly rates, dispatch times, staff credentials and more. When you call the contractor after hours, do you speak with the contractor or do you get routed to an answering service? Does the contractor offer any package services or service plans that can help reduce your costs, especially in an emergency?

The best approach is to make decisions about contractors when you have no immediate or urgent need for services. That way, you can take the time to review a contractor’s credentials, reviews from other customers, and ask friends and neighbors for their input. You can also take time to think about what you need (or might need) and make your choices accordingly.

Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating is a proud member of Angie’s List, and was voted the Best of Boston 2010 for heating and cooling services. We offer a wide range of plumbing, heating and cooling services in Boston. Call us at (617) 288-2911 for a consultation on all of your heating, cooling and plumbing needs. Friend Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook and learn why we’re one of the best in Boston!

Photo Credit: Chris Violette, via Flickr

Copper in Boston Plumbing Still A Target Of Thieves

Last month, two men were arrested in New Hampshire in connection with the theft of copper from National Grid in North Andover in two separate incidents. Police estimate that the National Grid copper was worth more than $30,000. Later in the month, National Grid also reported the theft of about $6,000 worth of copper from a power plant in Whitman.

Copper theft isn’t limited to commercial properties, though. Last month, a New Hampshire man was arrested after attempting to steal copper plumbing from a home for sale in Manchester. In that theft, the combined damage total from the copper theft and leaking water was estimated at $3,000.

Scrap copper is worth about $2.50-$3.00 per pound, and the cost of copper is rising slightly. That puts homeowners with copper plumbing at an increased risk of copper theft. Exposed copper connections on central air conditioning units are also becoming a favorite target of thieves.
What can you do to protect yourself? We recommend that you sheathe any exposed (outdoor) copper pipe with flexible conduit to shield the copper from view. That’s not going to stop a determined thief, but out-of-sight, out-of-mind sometimes works.

Empty residential buildings are at the greatest risk of theft. Removing copper does take a bit of time, so thieves will be looking for opportunities to work undisturbed. Motion alarms, burglar alarms and observant neighbors may deter some thieves, but few things will dissuade a determined thief from getting in.

One approach to consider when a home is empty is turning off the water at the main and draining the plumbing system. That won’t prevent copper theft, but it can prevent resulting water damage to your unoccupied home. Maintain your insurance coverage on the structure, and your loss will be limited to the value of your deductible.

Draining the plumbing in an empty home isn’t a bad strategy, even if copper theft isn’t on your mind. When your pipes are empty and the water is turned off, you avoid pipe damage that might occur during an extended power loss. If you know you’ll be gone for an extended period of time and you would like help draining your plumbing or your boiler, contact Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911. We’ll be happy to drain your pipes and winterize your boiler. Upon your return, we’ll repressurize the systems, and bleed residual air from radiators and plumbing lines.

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PVC Outgassing: What's The Fuss?

Billions of pounds of PVC are made each year and home construction, repair and remodeling materials often contain PVC. A debate has arisen over the safety of PVC in homes, and that’s causing some people to rethink their use of PVC-containing materials.

A phenomenon known as “outgassing” is at the center of the concern over the use of PVC-containing materials. Outgassing refers to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from products that contain PVC. VOCs can be released from the PVC into the air or water and have been implicated in “sick building syndrome,” and other indoor air quality issues. Further, VOCs can be found in water that’s been carried through PVC pipe.

When heating is involved, the use of PVC requires some special considerations. High efficiency furnaces are designed to vent directly to the outdoors. They also take in fresh air from outside the home, rather than recirculating semi-heated air already inside. PVC is used in heating applications mainly because it’s inexpensive. It’s also able to stand up to the stress of repeated heating-cooling cycles.

The furnace exhaust, which contains the noxious by-products of combustion, is hot. (After all, it’s just come out of the furnace, right?) Heat tends to accelerate the release of VOCs, so when PVC is used as part of the furnace exhaust system, the amount of VOCs released into the outside air (and the inside air around the exhaust pipe) tend to increase.

Some homeowners who are concerned about PVC outgassing and its long-term health effects have begun looking for alternatives to PVC for their furnace exhaust ports. When a substitute for PVC is sought, we generally recommend stainless steel. Stainless steel is certainly more expensive than PVC but it’s inert so it won’t interact with the environment around it. It also tolerates the repeated heating-cooling cycles and moisture from the outside air (and dampness in basements) very well. Since stainless steel is durable, it will also generally last the lifetime of the furnace.

If you have a high-efficiency furnace and are concerned about PVC outgassing, or would like to look at alternatives to PVC for other applications (like plumbing), please give us a call at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911 for a consultation. We’ll be happy to suggest alternative plumbing, heating and cooling materials.

Photo Credit: Matteo Bagnoli, via Flickr