A retired homeowner in Greenfield, Mass., now has a new Weil-McLain steam boiler that was installed by a regional contractor and high school students from the Franklin County Technical School, Turners Falls, Mass., as part of the Oil Heat Cares program.

Bob Murphy, a retired homeowner in Greenfield, Mass., now has a new Weil-McLain steam boiler that was installed by a regional contractor and high school students from the Franklin County Technical School, Turners Falls, Mass., as a part of the Oil Heat Cares program.

Oil Heat Cares is a not-for-profit foundation that assists needy persons and organizations with the replacement of their oil heating appliances and is the brainchild of the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers.

When Murphy heard of the program, he sent a letter of interest to George Milton, service manager of Mackin Construction and Fuel, Greenfield, Mass. Murphy needed a new boiler but his financial situation was such that he simply couldn’t afford to replace his old one.

The plumbing and HVAC students at the Franklin County Technical School partnered with Mackin.

“It was a perfect way for us to end the year with the students,” pointed out HVAC instructor John Hicks. “For them to see success just as it is in the field was very valuable.”

In addition to project work in their shop, Hicks’ students occasionally get to perform off-site work and undertake mostly new-construction residential projects. He undertook the task of replacing the boiler and the piping after the heating season had concluded but before the last days of June.

Additionally, Mackin provided technicians to safely remove the old boiler and hoist in the new Weil-McLain boiler and indirect water heater. Upgraded piping and set-up was done jointly by Mackin’s (contracted) plumber and the students.

To learn more about the Oil Heat Cares program, visit www.oilheatcares.com or phone 888/552-0900.