Boston Standard Company Blog

How to Shut Off the Water to Your House in an Emergency

January 7, 2021/in DIY Plumbing /by Joseph Wood

You never know when disaster will strike. When it comes to your plumbing system, this can be as serious as water flooding your home at a rate of hundreds of gallons per minute. You do your best to prevent plumbing disasters, but something bad could happen when you least expect it. For example, a pipe […]

Air Conditioner Maintenance 101: How to Get the Most Out of Your HVAC Unit

December 31, 2020/in DIY Air Conditioning /by Joseph Wood

With colder weather right around the corner, homeowners need to make sure their HVAC units are in operational condition. After months of working overtime to beat the heat, these pieces of equipment have to make a complete 180 to keep your home warm during Boston’s infamously cold fall and winter seasons. While a high-quality HVAC […]

Do Heat Pumps Work in Massachusetts?

December 24, 2020/in DIY Heating /by Joseph Wood

The answer is simple: yes! You can absolutely heat (and cool) your home or office with a heat pump. This holds true even when temperatures drop below freezing. Some of the many benefits of using a heat pump include: The ability to both heat and cool your space Energy efficient (which saves you money) Consistent […]

What Is the Most Efficient Way to Use a Heat Pump?

December 17, 2020/in Energy efficiency /by Joseph Wood

As a Boston resident, you’re all too familiar with wild temperature swings. During the summer months, it’s not out of the question for temperatures to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely, once the winter season rolls around, temperatures at or below freezing are commonplace. So, that brings us to an important question: what is the most […]

What Qualifies for the Residential Energy Tax Credit?

December 10, 2020/in Energy efficiency /by Joseph Wood

When tax season rolls around, you’ll do whatever it takes – within the legal limits of the law – to find tax credits and deductions that can save you money. If you modified your home with energy efficiency in mind, you may qualify for the residential energy tax credit. As the name suggests, the residential […]

Do Heat Pumps Work in Extremely Cold Temperatures?

December 3, 2020/in DIY Heating /by Joseph Wood

Yes, heat pumps work in extremely cold temperatures. In the past, some heat pumps worked better in frigid climates than others. However, thanks to technological advancements, most heat pumps on the market today can keep you and your family warm on even the coldest of winter days in Boston.1 Why Heat Pumps Didn’t Always Work […]

Are Heat Pumps Efficient?

November 26, 2020/in DIY Heating /by Joseph Wood

Yes, heat pumps are efficient. Compared to traditional heating systems, such as furnaces and boilers, heat pumps can reduce your energy use by up to 50%.1,2 If you live in Boston, you could be saving hundreds of dollars on your utility bill by using a heat pump instead of electric- or oil-powered heating equipment.3 You […]

It’s World Toilet Day: History, Facts, and More

November 19, 2020/in News /by Joseph Wood

The history of your toilet. It’s not something you think about often (if at all) but it’s interesting if you take the time to learn more. And what better time than November 19, 2020 – World Toilet Day – to take your knowledge of toilets to the next level? Toilets have evolved over the years, […]

How Can My HVAC System Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19?

November 12, 2020/in DIY Heating /by Joseph Wood

The pandemic has raised many questions regarding the transmission of viruses and how people can best protect themselves. While social distancing and wearing masks have been shown to help decrease the spread of COVID-19, these measures are really only one piece of the puzzle. This leaves many people wondering how this virus moves within their […]

Can UV Light in HVAC Systems Combat the Spread of the Coronavirus?

November 5, 2020/in DIY Blog /by Joseph Wood

Home and business owners alike are looking for ways to secure their health and that of their loved ones and patrons against the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. For decades, UV lights have been a reliable method for improving indoor air quality in homes and places of business due to their ease of use […]