About Conduit Heat + Cool

Conduit was founded on a single conviction: historic HVAC systems—radiator heat, steam distribution, vintage air-conditioning—deserve meticulous, evidence-based maintenance rather than reflexive replacement.

Our Philosophy

We believe that a boiler installed in the 1950s is not a liability. It is an engineered system, designed for a specific climate and building, with predictable failure modes and proven longevity. When maintained with seasonal care—sediment removal, pressure balancing, combustion analysis—radiator systems operate with quiet stability for decades longer than their replacement would require in capital outlay, disruption, and waste.

Most HVAC practices today operate on a replacement model: diagnose a minor inefficiency, recommend a whole-system overhaul, and move on. This model suits new construction and fast-turnover commercial space. It does not suit owner-occupied historic homes.

Conduit inverts this logic. We diagnose, document, and treat each system as a discrete engineering problem. We maintain. We repair. We retrofit only when the data justifies it. And when retrofit is necessary, we plan it with respect for the building's age, materials, and character.

Grounding in Evidence

Our maintenance protocols are anchored in published engineering standards. We reference:

• ASPE (American Society of Plumbing Engineers) best practices for boiler maintenance and hydro-air systems
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards for steam and hot-water heating equipment
• ASHRAE thermal-comfort standards and system efficiency measurement
• Library of Congress Historic New England collections for period-specific system documentation
• National Park Service Treatment of Historic Properties for preservation-aligned approaches

We maintain detailed service logs on every client account. Each seasonal visit produces a written report with temperature readings, pressure curves, combustion analysis, and specific recommendations. Our data informs future planning.

New Bedford Roots

We are based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a city shaped by 19th-century whaling and 20th-century textile manufacturing. Our neighborhood—the downtown historic district—houses hundreds of buildings constructed between 1880 and 1960, most with original or first-generation heating systems.

We know this architecture. We understand the thermal characteristics of buildings built with solid brick, plaster, and cast iron. We are familiar with the specific challenges of masonry walls, the patterns of heat loss in older fenestration, and the pressure dynamics of radiator distribution in multi-story rowhouses.

Our presence in this community means we are accountable to our neighbors. We take that seriously.

The Team

Learn more about our lead technician and project manager on the team page.