Heating and cooling the older houses of Central Massachusetts
Which house is yours?
Long stories for Worcester, Marlborough and the towns around them, each built on a kind of house and one decision. A magazine, not a contractor.
The cover story
Can a Triple-Decker Go Heat Pump One Floor at a Time?
Yes, a triple-decker can go heat pump floor by floor when each apartment has its own heating system and its own utility account. With one shared boiler or one meter, plan the whole building first.
12 min read
The CapeWhy the Upstairs of a Cape Is Always Wrong
Insulate first, or buy more heat?
11 min read
The ColonialKeeping the Radiators: Hot Water, Steam and Heat Pumps
Keep the radiators, replace them, or run both?
12 min read
AI-generated pictureEvery Older HouseMass Save Heat Pump Rebates, Read Slowly
Whole-home, partial-home or basic, and why the date matters
12 min read
AI-generated pictureThe CapeKeep the Oil Boiler as Backup, or Let It Go?
Partial-home with backup, or whole-home with no fuel left?
12 min read
The ColonialThe Boiler Leaves, the Water Heater Stays
Reline the chimney, or change the water heater too?
11 min read
The Triple-DeckerWho Decides About the Heat in a Triple-Decker?
Owner, tenant or condo association: whose call is it, and who pays?
11 min read