Bringing the Mechanical Room Back to Life

MONTVALE, NJ — In the past, it has been widely accepted that plumbing and mechanical systems belong behind the wall or in some dark, confined space tucked away in the basement. Not any longer! Thanks, in part, to the rise in social media popularity, use and acceptance, and some progressive thinking on behalf of some homeowners, plumbing and mechanical contractors are becoming all-stars, showcasing their work for fans to follow, especially that younger generation that spends an inordinate amount of time on their phones. Let’s face it, we all know that’s a fact.

One of those highly talented boiler installers—and content creators—is Michael Flynn (@flynnstone1 on Instagram), First Choice Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Metuchen, NJ. Flynn and his team—which included two additional installers, Ryan Adam and Tommie Boymann—were called out to a residence in Montvale to perform an oil-to-natural gas conversion, which included a new boiler and indirect water heater retrofit.

Help from the Homeowner

Having created engineered prints and mock-ups for case and store showroom displays for his day job, the homeowner was proactive with the project on many fronts. One, the work was to be performed during warmer temps—May 2023—while minimal heat, if any, was needed, “because he told me that oil prices have gone way up and he’s not about to go into another heating season with oil,” says Flynn.

The homeowner—and the First Choice crew—were instrumental in bringing the mechanical room to life by using a black plywood backdrop to accentuate mechanical equipment from the original boiler swap out. In addition the owner asked the crew if he could document the work as an amateur photographer.