Triple-deckers
Worcester has about 85,900 housing units. Only 37 percent are single-family. A third are in two- to four-family houses and 29 percent are in larger buildings. The median home was built in 1951.
In a three-decker the heaters usually share the basement, one for each floor. A landlord has a deadline to restore hot water. What the code requires.
Soft water from the city's reservoirs
Worcester supplies itself from ten reservoirs in Leicester, Paxton, Holden and nearby towns. The city's 2025 report gives a hardness of 29.8 parts per million, which is soft. A yearly flush is enough.
Gas and rebates
Eversource is the gas company. For a gas smell, leave and call 911, then Eversource at 800-592-2000. National Grid supplies the electricity, so Mass Save's 2026 rebate of $750 on a heat pump water heater applies.
Tenants
Housing complaints go to the Housing and Health Inspections division at 25 Meade Street, 508-799-1198.