Thermostat Reviews » Mechanical

Going Tankless. a Hot Tip for Heating Your Water From Hub Plumbing and Mechanical

Thermo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:59:12 +0000

DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…

Looking for a different way to trim your energy bill?

New Englanders often focus on the high cost of keeping their homes heated in the winter, but an often overlooked drain on the budget is the cost of heating hot water day in and day out, 365 days a year.

John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical in South Boston, MA offers some food for thought if you’re in the market for a new water heater. Notes Wood, “Tankless water heaters may provide a more energy efficient alternative than conventional storage water heaters. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, instantaneously as it is needed. Since tankless water hot water heaters don’t have a storage tank, you can save on energy costs since you’re not constantly keeping an entire tank full of water hot.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water—around 86 gallons per day. You can achieve even greater energy savings of 27%–50% if you install a demand water heater at each hot water outlet.”

With a tankless water heater, when the hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit where it is then heated – either by a gas burner in a gas fired water heater, or by an electric element in an electric water heater. Energy savings can be maximized on gas powered units by employing a model that utilizes an intermittent ignition device rather than a pilot light.

In large households, where there may be a demand for simultaneous multiple uses of hot water, two or more demand water heaters can be installed. Separate demand water heaters can also be installed to supply appliances that use large quantities of water, such as clothes washers or dishwashers.

Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. Ongoing periodic maintenance and easily replaceable parts can also often extend the life of the unit.

If you had the foresight to buy a tankless water heater in 2007, don’t forget to file for a Residential Energy Credit with your 2007 tax return to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $300. Unfortunately, Congress has not yet enacted an energy credit for tankless water heaters purchased in 2008.

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical takes the plumbing industry to the next level, utilizing a professional, friendly, customer-centered approach. In addition to protecting your floors with red carpet, Hub Plumbing and Mechanical’s experienced plumbers also cover their work boots with stain-resistant boot covers, wear ID badges for security purposes, and arrive on time and smartly dressed in crisp, clean uniforms.

The company does not charge by the hour, but by the specific project. Hub Plumbing & Mechanical is available 24 hours a day and 7 seven days a week to provide immediate access and peace of mind. Dedicated 2nd and 3rd shift night dispatchers internally handle all calls at Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, not an answering service. The difference between the two enables Hub Plumbing & Mechanical to get real-time info on the customer 24/7 to expedite the call as efficiently as possible.

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was established in 1999 and now includes a staff of 16 full time employees. This full service plumbing company assists residential and commercial customers with code violations, sewer/drain clogs, garbage disposals, water heaters, water filtration, steam and hot water boilers, thermostats, leaky faucets, tub valves, gas pipes, appliance installation, and outside hose faucets.

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. is located at 70 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston, MA 02127. For more information about Hub Plumbing & Mechanical call 1-866-HUBPLUMBING (482-7586), email services@hubplumbing.com, or visit www.hubplumbing.com.

Keeping Cool With Hub Plumbing and Mechanical ’s New Residential Hvac Service for Boston Metro Residents

Thermo — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:12:57 +0000

DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…

As the weather turns steamy, Hub Plumbing and Mechanical of Boston has announced the addition of residential HVAC service to help area residents keep their cool this summer.

Regular maintenance of central air conditioning units is often overlooked until that sweltering summer day when the system breaks down. Many homeowners then face the quandary of who to turn to for a timely response and reliable service. After repeated requests from customers, John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, took the initiative and recently added HVAC service to accommodate the growing need of Boston Metro residents for maintenance repair and replacement of their heating, ventilation and cooling systems.

Wood notes, “Keeping a central air conditioning system in top shape is important in avoiding costly emergency repairs as the dog days of summer approach. Ongoing maintenance is also particularly important if you’re thinking of putting your home on the market anytime soon.” According to the National Association of Realtors 2007 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences, central air-conditioning once again ranked as the most important feature for buyers, with 74 percent of the respondents listing it as being “very important.”

Central air conditioning may increase the value of your home – a key factor in the current buyer’s market. In the National Association of Realtors survey, 65 percent of those who purchased a home without a particular feature indicated that they would be willing to pay extra for central air conditioning.

Hub Plumbing and Mechanical’s signature Red Carpet service features experienced teams of licensed technicians who not only protect your floors with a red carpet, but also cover their work boots with stain-resistant booties, wear ID badges for security purposes, and arrive on time and smartly dressed in crisp, clean uniforms. Imagine actually looking forward to a visit from your plumber!

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was recently featured in a new book entitled “The Celebrity Experience” where Hub Plumbing & Mechanical’s Red Carpet Service was cited as an example of how it’s possible to create faithful life long customers by showering them with treatment usually reserved for celebrities.

Hub Plumbing and Mechanical Asks for Public’s Help in Compiling List of “coolest Places in Boston.”

Thermo — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:56:57 +0000

Coolest places in Boston.

Hub Plumbing and Mechanical asks for publicâs help in compiling list of places to stay cool.

DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…

The dog days of summer are here and itâs only July. Keeping cool is on everyoneâs mind. With millions of people in the Boston metro area, there are bound to be millions of suggestions on where to go to stay cool.

John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical in South Boston, is reaching out to area residents for their help in compiling a list of some of the coolest places in Boston, where people can go to cool down and keep their cool.

Area residents are asked to list their favorite âcoolest places in Bostonâ and email them to info@hubplumbing.com during the month of July. Hub Plumbing and Mechanical will then post the list on their website, www.hubplumbing.com, as a community resource.

To get the list started Wood, a native of Dorchester, has offered some suggestions of his own. âGrowing up in Dorchester, local beaches were one of best places to keep cool, including Malibu and Savin Hill beaches. Tenean beach has also been renovated and updated and is now one of the best kept secrets of Bostonâs Harborwalk, with terrific views of Boston. Now that Hub Plumbing and Mechanical has relocated to South Boston from Dorchester, Southieâs beaches, including Castle Island, L Street Beach, and Carson Beach also make the list as cool places to beat the heat.â

Free indoor spots to keep cool also include local libraries, Logan Airport, malls, bookstores, and the frozen food section of grocery stores (which are VERY cool). Department of Conservation pools, wading pools, and sprinklers also offer a wide variety of places to cool down.

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was recently featured in a new book entitled âThe Celebrity Experienceâ where Hub Plumbing & Mechanicalâs Red Carpet Service was cited as an example of how itâs possible to create faithful life long customers by showering them with treatment usually reserved for celebrities.

What’s Your Afue? Hub Plumbing and Mechanical of Boston Explains How it Effects Heating Fuel Costs

Thermo — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:59:32 +0000

DATELINE: DORCHESTER, MA…

Donât be alarmed if you donât know what your AFUE is â most people donât know the answer or even what the acronym means. However, the AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) of your furnace or boiler provides the key to how much fuel youâll burn this winter according to John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical of Boston.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy âSpecifically, AFUE is the ratio of heat output of the furnace or boiler compared to the total energy consumed by a furnace or boiler. An AFUE of 90% means that 90% of the energy in the fuel becomes heat for the home and the other 10% escapes up the chimney and elsewhere.â

To make comparisons easy for consumers, new models of furnaces and boilers are required to display their AFUE, but itâs also possible to identify and compare a system’s efficiency by its equipment features as well. For instance, an old, low-efficiency heating system that utilizes a natural draft for combustion and features a continuous pilot light may have an AFUE of only 68%-72% according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates. âCompared to a high efficiency heating system with an AFUE of 90%-97%, itâs a cold hard fact that replacing an older, less efficient heating system can shave 30% or more off of fuel bills,â notes Wood.

As of mid September, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs estimated the average statewide cost of heating oil at $3.82 a gallon. âAlthough most people know itâs going to take a small fortune to heat their home this winter at those prices, they often donât really think about the efficiency of their boiler or furnace as long as the unit continues to fire up every heating season,â notes Wood. âEven though a high efficiency boiler or furnace can be expensive to purchase upfront, think about the alternative – literally watching a third or more of your annual heating fuel cost going up in smoke.â

U.S. Department of Energy estimates indicate that replacing an existing heating system with an AFUE of 60% with a high efficiency system with an AFUE of 90% could save $33.33 for every $100 of fuel costs. In addition, high efficiency heating systems not only offer a way to save on fuel costs, but also help save the planet. The U.S. Department of Energy points out that, âUpgrading your furnace or boiler from 56% to 90% efficiency in an average cold-climate house will save 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year if you heat with gas, or 2.5 tons if you heat with oil.â

ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, provides more food for thought by offering an online savings calculator that helps consumers look at their potential savings when heating with a high efficiency heating system versus a conventional heating system. The free interactive calculator can be found at www.energystar.gov.

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was recently highlighted in a new book entitled âThe Celebrity Experienceâ where Hub Plumbing & Mechanicalâs Red Carpet Service was cited as an example of how itâs possible to create faithful life long customers by showering them with treatment usually reserved for celebrities.

Hub Plumbing and Mechanicalâs signature Red Carpet service features experienced teams of licensed technicians who not only protect your floors with a red carpet, but also cover their work boots with stain-resistant booties, wear ID badges for security purposes, and arrive on time and smartly dressed in crisp, clean uniforms.

Plumbing Projects That Pack a Punch. Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Looks at Which Projects Offer the Highest Return on Investment

Thermo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:56:31 +0000

DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…
For many homeowners, remodeling or upgrading their existing home remains an appealing option in an uncertain real estate market. The question is, which projects offer the best return on investment in the long run?

John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical of Boston offers some suggestions on upgrade and remodeling projects that involve his area of expertise – anything that involves plumbing or HVAC considerations, including, of course, bathrooms and kitchens.

First of all, it’s important to decide what your goal is – maintenance and repair or a lifestyle improvement? Do you want to simply upgrade tired fixtures or do you want to invest in a lavish gourmet kitchen, or a spa-like retreat to replace an existing bath?

Notes Wood, “Plumbing is tricky; it’s not just a matter of running a few pipes to accommodate new fixtures or appliances. Depending on the age and condition of your home, you may be facing a hodge-podge of materials and plumbing “fixes” that have been incorporated over the years. You need to realistically determine what you can afford, establish a budget, and stick to it.”

That said, which projects not only provide comfort and style, but also offer a good long-term return on your investment? Using Remodeling Magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value Report for the New England region as a basis, a minor kitchen remodel, which would include a mid grade replacement of existing plumbing fixtures, would recoup an 86% return on investment (ROI.) A major mid range kitchen remodel, with features such as a double stainless-steel sink and a center island, would deliver a 77.7% ROI. An upscale kitchen remodel, utilizing elements such as designer fixtures, and a built-in water filtration system, would have an ROI of 76.7%

A mid-range bathroom remodel that would include the replacement of all plumbing fixtures, would deliver a 74.8% return on investment, while a midrange bathroom addition would yield an ROI of 65.8%. An upscale bathroom remodel, which would expand the bathroom within the existing footprint of the house, relocating all fixtures to accommodate a whirlpool and separate shower, would result in a 64.3% ROI, while an upscale bathroom addition, increasing the footprint of the house, would have an ROI of 64.1%

Once you decide what improvements you would like to pursue, don’t forget the basics when planning an upgrade or remodeling project. Research contractors by license number to make sure that they ARE licensed, and to see if any complaints have been filed against them. References should also be readily available and should be checked for verification. Also, don’t forget to ask for a copy of the contractor’s insurance binder.

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was established in 1999 and now includes a staff of 16 full time employees. This full service plumbing company assists residential and commercial customers with code violations, sewer/drain clogs, garbage disposals, water heaters, water filtration, steam and hot water boilers, thermostats, leaky faucets, tub valves, gas pipes, appliance installation, outside hose faucets, and residential HVAC service.

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was recently highlighted in a new book entitled “The Celebrity Experience” where Hub Plumbing & Mechanical’s Red Carpet Service was cited as an example of how it’s possible to create faithful life long customers by showering them with treatment usually reserved for celebrities.

What’s “on Tap” at Your House? Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Offers Clean and Green Alternatives

Thermo — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:58:38 +0000

DATELINE:Â SOUTH BOSTON, MA…
Do you gag at the thought of drinking water straight from your tap? Have you and your family become bottled water addicts as a result?Â Or, do you hold your nose while you shower because of the smell of your water? Canât rinse off that scummy soap film either?

If so, John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical of Boston outlines some alternative methods that can be used to clean up your water.

First of all, many consumers buy bottled water because they assume itâs safer or cleaner than what comes out of the tap from their municipal water source or well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), âThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water used for drinking. While most consumers assume that bottled water is at least as safe as tap water, there are still potential risks. Although required to meet the same safety standards as public water supplies, bottled water does not undergo the same testing and reporting as water from a treatment facility. Water that is bottled and sold in the same state may not be subject to any federal standards at all.â

Wood urges consumers to take matters into their own hands by employing an in-home water filtration system. âIf clean drinking water is your primary concern, a number of alternatives to buying bottled water are available. All offer greener alternatives to bottled water, reducing the huge volume of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills. Point-of-use (POU) systems treat water at a single tap. Point-of-use systems include pour-through products, faucet mount filters, counter-top manual fill systems, counter-top systems connected to sink faucet, or plumbed-in systems that are installed under the sink with a permanent connection to an existing water pipe.â

If your water woes are more widespread and include problems with rust or sediment, scale or odors, you might want to consider a point-of-entry filtration system explains Wood. âPoint-of-entry (POE) systems treat water as it enters the house, providing filtered water for use throughout the house for drinking, bathing, cooking, laundry and dishwashers.â

Continues Wood, âPOE systems can stop dirt, sediment, rust and scale. Both rust and sediment, left unchecked, can ruin appliances while scale creates unsightly build up on water fixtures, coats water heating elements thereby reducing their efficiency, wastes soap by reducing its lathering ability, and leaves an unpleasant residue on your skin, hair, and clothes when they are washed. Also, one of the most common chemical disinfectants found in municipal city water supplies is chlorine, which tastes and smells bad and can be removed with a carbon filter.â

Both POU and POE devices are based on various contaminant removal technologies including carbon filtration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and distillation. In addition, flow rate, filter size, filter life and port size are also important components in point-of-entry systems, which require professional installation. Whichever system is used, it should meet NSF/ANSI standard 53 and be certified to remove the contaminants of concern in your water.

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Names Jason Waters as Their Lead Hvac Technician

Thermo — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:12:34 +0000

DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…

In conjunction with the introduction of their new residential HVAC service, Hub Plumbing & Mechanical of South Boston, MA has named Jason Waters as their Lead HVAC Technician.

John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, welcomed Waters to the firm, noting “Jason Waters’ extensive hands on experience in designing, installing, and servicing heating, ventilation, and cooling systems is a real plus for Hub Plumbing & Mechanical as we continue to grow and expand the range of services we are able to offer our customers.”

At Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, Waters’ responsibilities will include the design of residential HVAC systems, ranging from the proper sizing of system components and equipment to the design of ductwork and installation coordination. He will also serve as the Lead Technician for Hub Plumbing & Mechanical’s HVAC servicing and repairs. Waters, who is currently pursuing his Master Plumbers license, is EPA certified and TracPipe certified.

Waters is a native of Townsend, MA where he continues to reside.

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Offers Steps to Curb Ac Costs Now and Lower Winter Heating Bills Too!

Thermo — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:12:55 +0000

DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…

Boston area residents know that summer isn’t over yet but many are singing the mid-summer blues as they face ever-increasing energy costs, including the cost of keeping cool.

John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, offers some cost-effective ways to reduce the load on your air conditioner. Notes Wood, “Some of the steps that you can take now will not only help curb your current electric bill but will also help control your heating costs this winter.”

Don’t make your air conditioner work harder than it has to – warm air entering through cracks around window and door frames, electrical outlets, and attic doors all keep your air conditioner’s compressor running longer, costing you more.

Taking the following steps now will help reduce both air conditioning and heating costs:

· Check for air leaks around doors and windows

· Use caulk, insulation, or weather stripping to seal air leaks to reduce drafts

· Add attic insulation

· Insulate duct work

Year round energy savings can be achieved with the use of a programmable thermostats for cooling and heating. An empty house or apartment doesn’t need to be kept cool all day. Even many newer window air conditioners have timers that can be set to cool things down in time for your arrival home from work.

Ceiling fans should also be used year round. During warm weather the ceiling fan should be set to turn in a counter-clockwise direction. The breeze created by this airflow creates a wind-chill effect that makes you feel cooler.

When it’s hot outside, don’t create more heat inside:

· Minimize the use of heat producing appliances during the hottest part of the day, such as a clothes dryer or dish washer

· When cooking use an outdoor grill, a microwave, or a toaster oven to avoid heating up the kitchen by turning on a full sized oven

· Minimize the use of heat producing light bulbs –replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents that produce less heat

· Close shades, blinds, or drapes on windows that in are in full sunlight

Both central air conditioning systems and individual room air conditioners need to be kept in good running condition for maximum efficiency:

· Change or clean filters at least once a month

· Keep coils clean and dust free

· Make sure you have a proper sized unit – a unit that is too big lowers the temperature without running long enough to reduce the humidity to a comfortable level resulting in a cold clammy feeling

Consider investing in a central air conditioning system if a number of your individual air conditioning units need replacing. A central air conditioning system is more expensive to purchase up front but it can result in lower energy costs over time.

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical

Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Offers Steps to Curb Ac Costs Now and Lower Winter Heating Bills Too!

Thermo — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:05:24 +0000

DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…

Boston area residents know that summer isn’t over yet but many are singing the mid-summer blues as they face ever-increasing energy costs, including the cost of keeping cool.

Taking the following steps now will help reduce both air conditioning and heating costs:

· Check for air leaks around doors and windows

· Use caulk, insulation, or weather stripping to seal air leaks to reduce drafts

· Add attic insulation

· Insulate duct work

When it’s hot outside, don’t create more heat inside:

· Minimize the use of heat producing appliances during the hottest part of the day, such as a clothes dryer or dish washer

· When cooking use an outdoor grill, a microwave, or a toaster oven to avoid heating up the kitchen by turning on a full sized oven

· Minimize the use of heat producing light bulbs –replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents that produce less heat

· Close shades, blinds, or drapes on windows that in are in full sunlight

Both central air conditioning systems and individual room air conditioners need to be kept in good running condition for maximum efficiency:

· Change or clean filters at least once a month

· Keep coils clean and dust free

About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical

How Does A Thermostat On A Fridge Work. What Are The Mechanical Parts Of The System? Can Lay Person Repair It?

Thermo — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:04:35 +0000

A friend gave me an old fridge. Its an old fridge. It freeezes everything if if I turn it to minimum. It isn’t frost free. I’d like to fix it myself because I don’t have much money, but I also am not that mechanically minded. I need to understand what parts might not be working. Thanks for reading this.