# Boston Water Heaters

**Trade:** HVAC / Heating & Cooling · **Address:** 36 W Wyoming Ave Unit B, Melrose, MA 02176, USA · **Phone:** (978) 979-4054 · **Website:** https://bostonwaterheaters.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 3.9/5** (medium confidence) — from 12 reviews across 5 sources.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 0 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Boston Water Heaters is a family plumbing and heating operation out of Melrose, run by Rich Mathews — the reviews are almost all about him personally, not a crew. The Mathews family says its plumbing roots go back to 1928 with Ed Mathews Sr., and it's now run as Rich Mathews & Son Plumbing Inc., three generations in.

The through-line across a dozen five-star Google reviews spanning 2021 to 2026 is speed and follow-through on emergency calls. When a carbon-monoxide alarm went off and the gas company shut off the gas, Rich was the one contractor out of 15-20 called who offered same-day help. Another homeowner called on a Sunday morning with a leaking water heater and had it fully replaced by the next day. Reviewers also describe him fixing things beyond the original ask — patching a basement window gap while replacing a water heater, or correcting unsafe wiring he found mid-furnace-install — and one reviewer got a discount after already settling on the original price.

The work covers furnaces, steam boilers, and gas, electric, tankless and hybrid water heaters, and reviewers reach for 'plumber' about as often as 'heating guy' to describe him.

One thing worth a quick check: the company's own site states differing tenure claims — 'over 30 years' on some pages, 'over 50 years' on another — so ask directly how long Rich Mathews & Son has run under its current name if that matters to you.

**Strengths:**
- Same-day response — only one of 15-20 companies called who could come
- Fast turnaround — replaced a leaking heater within a day
- Goes beyond the job — fixes issues found along the way
- Fair on price — offered a discount after quoting

**Where sources disagree:**
- The company's own site gives differing self-reported tenure claims — 'over 30 years' on some pages, 'over 50 years' on the services page.

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- Offered same-day emergency help when 15-20 other companies couldn't _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURHaWNIOEF3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDGicH8Aw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Highly Recommend Boston Water Heaters. My CO alarms went off this morning out of the blue and national grid had to turn off my gas. I cal…”
- Fully replaced a leaking water heater within a day of a Sunday emergency call _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNPNnNlaVdBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICO6seiWA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Rich is a lifesaver! I called early on a Sunday morning with a leaking water heater. He came by within an hour to check that we’d contain…”
- Fixed extra issues found along the way at no separate ask _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNsdTQtaTBRRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIClu4-i0QE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Our water heater failed and Rich was able to come out the same day to replace it. He stayed late and even fixed some gaps in our basement…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURaaGR1UHJRRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDZhduPrQE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Rich, ably assisted by his wife, Lori, replaced our aging furnace this week and we could not be more pleased with the entire process from…”
- Offered a discount after the price was already settled _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT205WVF6RkNZWGhLTnpseGFYSlpPVmhwVldWSVpIYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOm9YQzFCYXhKNzlxaXJZOVhpVWVIZHc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Absolutely fantastic service! Rich, Rich Mathews & Son Inc. replaced my old water heater tank and the whole experience was smooth and pro…”
- Business self-describes as family-owned, three generations of licensed plumbers _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](https://bostonwaterheaters.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Family-owned and operated by the Mathews family (Rich Mathews & Son Plumbing Inc.), now three generations of lice…”
- Company traces its roots to 1928, self-reported _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](https://bostonwaterheaters.com) — “Company history (self-reported): The family traces its plumbing roots to 1928 when Ed Mathews Sr. began his career; the site states differin…”
- Specializes in HVAC / Heating & Cooling _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://bostonwaterheaters.com) — “Boston Water Heaters, operated by Rich Mathews & Son Plumbing Inc., installs, repairs, and replaces gas, electric, tankless, hybrid, and ind…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2paWmQzQTViMnN5T0RWaWVrTk5hbm94UTA1U05VRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjZZd3A5b2syODViekNNanoxQ05SNUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Rich Mathews did a great job replacing my furnace and old hot water heater. If you need a good plumber he is the guy to call. Excellent s…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURQcVlHUFpnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDPqYGPZg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Rich just replaced my very very old furnace as well as hot water tank. He was a "true angel". He was thorough and went way beyond his dut…”
- Specializes in Plumbing _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://bostonwaterheaters.com) — “Boston Water Heaters, operated by Rich Mathews & Son Plumbing Inc., installs, repairs, and replaces gas, electric, tankless, hybrid, and ind…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2paWmQzQTViMnN5T0RWaWVrTk5hbm94UTA1U05VRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjZZd3A5b2syODViekNNanoxQ05SNUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Rich Mathews did a great job replacing my furnace and old hot water heater. If you need a good plumber he is the guy to call. Excellent s…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUM2LVAzeUx3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x9de78892d70c5a0a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC6-P3yLw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Rich is incredibly responsive and great to work with. I called to get a quote for replacing my water heater, and within the hour, he was …”

## Ownership

- Identifies as family-owned — the business's own statement, not independently verified.

## License

No license record has been checked yet for this contractor.

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Boston%20Water%20Heaters&query_place_id=ChIJU7cU2K5z44kRCloM15KI550): 5.0★ from 23 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Boston%20Water%20Heaters&query_place_id=ChIJU7cU2K5z44kRCloM15KI550): Listed on this source
- [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/boston-water-heaters-lynnfield): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://bostonwaterheaters.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Exa](https://reviews.birdeye.com/boston-water-heaters-166935063085404): 5 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Judith Randall · 2026-01-01**: Rich Mathews did a great job replacing my furnace and old hot water heater. If you need a good plumber he is the guy to call. Excellent service and reasonable prices.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Deborah Crowley · 2025-12-10**: Anyone in need for plumbing & heating service look no further! Rich Matthew's @ Boston Water Heaters is the absolute best!!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Molly Greene · 2025-12-02**: Rich did an excellent job replacing my steam boiler! He is extremely knowledgeable, skilled, trustworthy and kind. He took the time to explain everything at the beginning of the process - providing full transparency of the work that would be done. He was very meticulous with his work, making sure ev…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Mekdes Hagos · 2025-10-08**: Absolutely fantastic service! Rich, Rich Mathews & Son Inc. replaced my old water heater tank and the whole experience was smooth and professional. The work was done perfectly, and I highly appreciated the discount he offered after we settled on the original price. It was a nice touch that his wife …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Keith Arlotta · 2025-08-26**: Rich was terrific to work with and did a great job replacing our water heater. He was prompt, professional, and communicative throughout the entire process. His pricing was fair, and he went above and beyond to ensure the work was done correctly. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a reliable p…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Nancy Tare · 2024-12-03**: Rich just replaced my very very old furnace as well as hot water tank. He was a "true angel". He was thorough and went way beyond his duty of call in making sure the space was safe and secure. There were several little things the previous owner had neglected throughout the years which were great haz…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Leanne L · 2024-08-30**: Friendly, professional and trustworthy.  Would highly recommend to anyone looking to replace their heating system.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Sarah Noe · 2023-11-28**: Our water heater failed and Rich was able to come out the same day to replace it. He stayed late and even fixed some gaps in our basement window (I was going to get to it, I promise!). He is kind and very knowledgeable. Thank you!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Sandra B. · 2023-10-04**: Rich, ably assisted by his wife, Lori, replaced our aging furnace this week and we could not be more pleased with the entire process from start to finish. From the moment he came to give us an estimate and throughout the installation, Rich demonstrated his decades of experience and breadth of knowle…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Ally Chovan · 2022-06-07**: Rich is a lifesaver! I called early on a Sunday morning with a leaking water heater. He came by within an hour to check that we’d contained the leak temporarily, and came back to fully replace the tank early the next day. He performed quality work and was very kind and easygoing. Will continue to re…

---

Data freshness: last scanned 2026-07-02T09:18:11.540Z.
Cite as: Boston Water Heaters — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/boston-water-heaters-melrose)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/boston-water-heaters-melrose