Boston Standard Company Blog

AC Outdoor Unit Freezing Up? There are Many Culprits

May 14, 2021/in DIY Air Conditioning /by Joseph Wood

During the hot summer months, the last thing you need is for your air conditioner to stop working. Should this happen, you may be surprised to find that the reason for your problem is a frozen outdoor unit. Yes, even when temperatures are approaching triple digits, your condenser can still freeze into a block of […]

When Should You Turn on Your AC This Spring?

May 7, 2021/in DIY Air Conditioning /by Joseph Wood

With the warmer weather that spring can bring to Boston, it won’t be long before you’re thinking about firing up your air conditioner (if you’ve yet to already do so). However, before you take this step, there are a few things to keep in mind. Most importantly, you don’t want to turn on your AC […]

How Often Should Your HVAC System Get Serviced?

April 30, 2021/in DIY Air Conditioning /by Joseph Wood

Whether it’s blistering hot or bitterly cold outside – or anywhere in between – Boston homeowners can rest assured that their homes will remain comfortable – all thanks to their reliable HVAC systems. Although these units are designed to keep your home temperature-controlled without much energy on your part, they do require a small bit […]

How to Make Your Water Heater More Energy Efficient

April 23, 2021/in Water Heaters /by Joseph Wood

There are many reasons why you should want to make your water heater more energy efficient, including: To save money on energy costs To prolong the lifespan of your water heater To live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle While all of that sounds great, here’s the million-dollar question: what steps can you take to make your […]

How Long Does a Furnace Last?

April 15, 2021/in Furnaces /by Joseph Wood

Maybe you’re in the market for a new furnace. Maybe you recently installed a new unit in your home. Perhaps you have an older furnace and you’re wondering if it’s on its last legs. Regardless of your circumstances, it’s common to ask yourself this question: how long does a furnace last? While there’s no one […]

Sump Pump Maintenance: 6 Things You Should Be Doing on a Routine Basis

April 9, 2021/in Sump Pumps /by Joseph Wood

Do you have a sump pump in your home? Are you unsure of when you last completed routine maintenance? Are you concerned that this will catch up with you sooner rather than later? As a homeowner, sump pump maintenance probably isn’t your idea of fun. However, if you neglect this, it could eventually cost you […]

How to Lower Your Electric Bill with a Heat Pump

April 2, 2021/in Energy efficiency /by Joseph Wood

Anything you can do to lower your electric bill is something worth considering. Even if you only save a few dollars every month, it’ll add up over the course of a year. If you’re tired of your standard gas furnace running up your utility bills every winter, it’s time for a change. And that change […]

Does Putting a Timer on Your Hot Water Heater Save Money?

March 19, 2021/in Water Heaters /by Joseph Wood

Your water heater is one of those appliances that you don’t think about often. Instead, you assume that hot water will make its way to you in a fast and efficient manner. As long as your water heater is functioning as designed, there’s nothing to worry about in regards to performance. However, you may still […]

How to Clean Your Air Conditioner

March 11, 2021/in DIY Air Conditioning /by Joseph Wood

It’s easy to take your air conditioner for granted when it’s providing efficient and effective service. However, if you don’t focus the proper amount of time on maintenance, you’re putting your entire system at risk. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean your air conditioner a minimum of two times per year: Before […]

How to Replace Your Outdoor Faucet

March 4, 2021/in DIY Plumbing /by Joseph Wood

Like most homes in the Boston area, you probably have at least one outdoor faucet. You use it for everything from watering your lawn and flowers to washing your dog. Should you come to find that your outdoor faucet is no longer working as intended, it’s time to consider your options. While repairing a faucet […]