Heating and hot water
Older homes may combine steam radiators, hot water zones, multiple thermostats, humidifiers and gas fireplaces. We inspect and test before deciding what needs service, and we check the heating system before the cold. Our technicians have experience with Lochinvar boilers and water heaters.
On an agreement, boiler service, humidifier settings, fireplace changeovers, chimney checks and boiler filings follow the house checklist. NYC Brownstone General Contracting diagnoses failures and handles repairs, controls, water heaters and related system work.
What we do
Carried out by NYC Brownstone General Contracting, our separately insured affiliate. Everything else is NYC Brownstone.
- Boiler service
- Annual service checks the burner, controls, safety devices, pressure and every heating zone.
- Boiler repair: NYC Brownstone General Contracting
- Our affiliate diagnoses and repairs no heat, short-cycling, leaks and noisy boilers.
- Steam heat and radiators: NYC Brownstone General Contracting
- Our affiliate handles cold radiators, banging pipes, failed air vents and uneven heat.
- Hot water heating: NYC Brownstone General Contracting
- Our affiliate handles circulator pumps, expansion tanks, zone valves and system balancing.
- Water heaters: NYC Brownstone General Contracting
- Our affiliate services, repairs and replaces tank and tankless water heaters.
- Thermostats and zone controls: NYC Brownstone General Contracting
- Thermostats and zone controls are repaired when heat no longer matches the house.
- Humidifiers
- Humidifiers are serviced each fall, set to 35% relative humidity and shut down for summer.
- Gas fireplaces
- Gas fireplaces are turned on for the season in October and off again in May.
- Chimney inspection
- The chimney is inspected each November, before fireplace use.
- Boiler inspections
- Boiler inspections and filings are kept current.
Questions
Do you work on pre-war systems and steam heat?
Yes. Older New York City homes, including their piping, controls and restricted equipment spaces, are familiar ground. We inspect the existing system before deciding what should be maintained or recommending a repair or improvement.
Why is my boiler short-cycling?
Short-cycling means the boiler turns on and off more often than it should. Possible causes include thermostat or control problems, restricted airflow, pressure problems, dirty components or equipment that is not operating correctly. The system needs to be diagnosed before a repair or replacement is recommended.
Why is one floor colder than the others?
Uneven temperatures can come from airflow or balancing problems, thermostats or controls, insulation, water pressure, radiators, piping or ductwork. We inspect and test the system before recommending the next step.
How do you decide whether to repair or replace equipment?
The recommendation is based on what is most cost-effective for the owner. We consider the equipment's age and condition, how long a repair is likely to last, parts availability, efficiency and the risk of another failure. We explain the options before you decide.
How do I schedule heating service before winter?
Call the office early to schedule a heating inspection and service before cold weather. Agreement clients have this seasonal work scheduled through their property manager as part of the house's maintenance plan.
Request a walkthrough of your house
We walk through the house with you and look at its condition and its systems. The office then writes the checklist and the agreement, priced from what the walkthrough found.
- A checklist written for your house
- No long-term contract