Setback thermostats, also known as programmable thermostats, are worth their weight in gold. According to the Department of Energy, homeowners spend an average of $2,200 annually on energy bills, including heating and cooling. Aside from the mortgage and taxes, heating and cooling costs are likely to be the largest expenses associated with the home. [...]

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November 19th is World Toilet Day, and your chance to squat for those less fortunate. Help out and do your part at: http://worldtoiletday.com/squat/

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Making a few changes to the way you use and care for the major systems in your Boston home can save a bundle on utility bills. While some of these tips apply only to the summer cooling season or winter heating season, you can save money year-round by assessing your utility usage carefully.
Air Conditioning
Size your [...]

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Steam heat systems are notorious for being hard to control, making rooms either too hot or too cold. Unfortunately, steam heat systems may distribute heat unevenly, making it impossible to adjust the system overall. Are there simple steps you can take to adjust the heat output in each room of your Boston steam-heated [...]

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It’s inevitable- your water heater will someday leak. We receive the call every day from frustrated homeowners in the Boston area that woke up to no hot water and a mess in the basement. What can be done? Look for these 3 signs that your water heater may be on the fritz!
1) [...]

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No one likes plumbing problems. They always come up when you least expect them, and often homeowners aren’t prepared to handle them. Here are a few tips to help you deal with plumbing emergencies that may arise in your Boston home.
1. Don’t Panic. Few, if any, emergency situations are improved by panicking. [...]

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There are few things that cause a homeowner’s heart to race faster than a bona fide plumbing emergency. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to prepare for a plumbing emergency before you have one on hand.
Your home’s plumbing system may seem like a complicated maze of pipes and drains [...]

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If you have a dishwasher in your Boston-area home, you may notice at some point that the dishwasher is not draining completely after you’ve run the appliance. Standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher may be causing unpleasant odors, or residual soap accumulation on the dishes or the inside of the dishwasher.
What could [...]

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Q: Why is my washing machine shaking my plumbing?
A: A washing machine usually offers years of trouble-free service. Now and then, however problems can arise. In most cases, the trouble with a washing machine is mechanical and isn’t related to the plumbing at all. However, the washing machine does tie into your home’s plumbing, and [...]

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For most homeowners, a hot water heater is a forgettable device – that is, until it stops working or starts making noises! Most homeowners don’t do regular hot water heater maintenance, and as a result, they shorten the lifespan of the tank by half or more!
Conventional wisdom says that when the hot water tank [...]

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