Herkimer, Herkimer County, NY
Boiler repair in Herkimer, NY
Boiler repair in Herkimer, NY, for steam and hot water systems. Call and you will be connected with an independent heating company that serves Herkimer and the Utica area.
This is a referral line. When you call, you are connected with an independent local heating company.
Boilers and homes in Herkimer
Herkimer is the county seat of Herkimer County, east of Utica where West Canada Creek meets the Mohawk River. The village has a dense, older core of houses close to Main Street and the canal.
About 53% of homes in the village were built before 1940.[source] Older homes like these often still have steam or hot water boilers feeding cast iron radiators.
Natural gas heats about 84% of occupied homes in the village and electricity about 13%.[source] Across all of Herkimer County, fuel oil is far more common, at about 22% of homes[source], so rural callers should mention if they burn oil.
Village services are listed on the Village of Herkimer (opens in a new tab) website, and county services on the Herkimer County (opens in a new tab) site.
Herkimer at a glance
| Place | Occupied homes | Utility gas | Fuel oil or kerosene | Electric | Built before 1940 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herkimer | 3,326 | 84% | 1% | 13% | 53% |
| Utica | 25,606 | 75% | 2% | 19% | 50% |
| Herkimer County | 25,741 | 45% | 22% | 14% | 39% |
Main heating fuel is for occupied homes. Census figures are estimates with margins of error.
What boiler calls from Herkimer usually involve
With so many homes in Herkimer built before 1940, steam heat is common. A steam boiler has a sight glass showing the water level and usually one-pipe or two-pipe radiators. See steam boiler repair for what is different about these systems.
Since most Herkimer homes on a boiler burn natural gas, many calls involve ignition, flame sensors, gas valves and venting. See gas boiler repair.
Boiler services for Herkimer homes
- No heat in Utica
- Emergency boiler repair
- Boiler service and tune-ups
- Boiler replacement
- Steam boiler repair
Costs vary by problem and system. See the repair cost guide.
Nearby towns
Boiler repair in Mohawk, Boiler repair in Ilion, Boiler repair in Frankfort. Or see all service areas.
Herkimer, county seat on the Mohawk
Herkimer village is the seat of Herkimer County, about 12.6 miles east of downtown Utica in a straight line.[source] Most people get there on NY 5 along the north side of the Mohawk River or on the Thruway, which has an exit at Herkimer. West Canada Creek joins the Mohawk at the edge of the village, and Herkimer College sits on the hill above the village.[source]
Herkimer is farther from Utica than most of the towns on this line. A company based closer to Utica may still serve Herkimer, but ask about travel time and whether there is a trip charge before they head out.
Old housing, mostly on gas
Herkimer has some of the oldest housing on this line. Census estimates put about 53% of the village's homes as built before 1940.[source] Many are two story frame houses and two family homes on narrow lots close to Main Street and the village center.
Despite Herkimer County's heavy use of fuel oil overall, the village itself is mostly on natural gas. Census estimates show gas as the main fuel in about 84% of village homes and fuel oil in about 1%.[source] County wide, fuel oil heats about 22% of homes and wood about 6%.[source] So if you live in the village, your boiler is very likely gas. If you are outside the village in the town or the hills, oil or propane is far more likely.
Year built, Herkimer village (share of housing units):
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 0% |
| 2010 to 2019 | 0% |
| 2000 to 2009 | 0% |
| 1990 to 1999 | 5% |
| 1980 to 1989 | 9% |
| 1970 to 1979 | 13% |
| 1960 to 1969 | 10% |
| 1950 to 1959 | 4% |
| 1940 to 1949 | 7% |
| 1939 or earlier | 53% |
What that means when you call
Homes from before 1940 often started with coal fired steam or gravity hot water systems that were later converted to gas. You may still see oversized cast iron radiators, a large boiler footprint, and old asbestos wrapped pipes in the basement. Do not disturb pipe insulation you are not sure about. Tell the heating company if you see it.
Converted gravity systems can work well, but they can also run with too little water flow if a circulator was added without balancing the system, which leaves the far rooms cold. Steam systems from that era need the right water level and working air vents. Our steam boiler and radiator pages explain the common faults.
Herkimer County help and contacts
Herkimer residents apply for HEAP through the Herkimer County Department of Social Services (opens in a new tab). The Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement benefit can help eligible homeowners aged 60 or older repair or replace a broken boiler.[source] County services are listed on the Herkimer County (opens in a new tab) website, and village information is on the Village of Herkimer (opens in a new tab) site.
How heating fuel compares with nearby places
| Place | Gas | Electric | Fuel oil | Propane | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herkimer | 84% | 13% | 1% | 0% | 0% |
| Mohawk | 50% | 31% | 10% | 2% | 0% |
| Herkimer County | 45% | 14% | 22% | 9% | 6% |
Fuel shares are the main heating fuel for occupied homes, from Census estimates.[source]
One more common question
What about wood and coal? In Herkimer County, Census estimates show wood as the main fuel in about 6% of homes and coal in about 1%.[source] Some older boilers in the county burn wood or coal or are paired with a wood boiler. If yours is one of these, tell the company up front, because not every heating company works on them.Questions Herkimer callers usually have
The house is on the hill above the village and heats with oil. That is common outside the village. Have the tank level ready, and ask the company whether they service oil burners and what their travel charge is for Herkimer.We have a two family house on a side street off Main Street. Tell the company how many units the boiler serves and whether both are cold. Old two family houses often have one large boiler and long pipe runs, which can take longer to diagnose.I am over 60 and the boiler is failing. Contact the Herkimer County Department of Social Services (opens in a new tab) about the Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement benefit before you approve work, because the repair must be approved first.[source]What to have ready when you call
- Your address, so the company can tell you if you are in their area.
- Boiler type and fuel if you know it: steam or hot water, gas or oil. A sight glass with water in it usually means steam.
- What it is doing, plus any code on the display or the reading on the pressure or temperature gauge.
Not sure about any of it? Call anyway. The company will ask the right questions.
Common questions
Do you cover all of Herkimer?
Service areas are set by the company you reach. Give your full address when you call and they will confirm.
Is this a heating company?
No. Call Now Plumbing is a referral line operated by Get Called LLC. You are connected with an independent local heating company.
What if I smell gas?
Leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
Boiler trouble in Herkimer?
Call now and talk to a local heating company.
Call about your boiler(888) 835-0429