Over the decades since Nick Argenziano founded Argent Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in 1988, he has seen the evolution of the industry—and how he stood apart. “So many companies are selling out to equity groups. It’s become very impersonal,” he says. “We’re still very accessible and community-oriented.”
When he started the company, Nick operated solo. Today, many of his staff members have been with him between 10 and 22 years. Although the company has grown, Nick remains hands-on, meeting clients and helping troubleshoot problems. “Owner involvement is important,” he says. “We want to give clients value and quality; our team goes above and beyond.”
That commitment extends to mentorship. “We spend time to train young people,” he says. “We have a family vibe, which is why we attract so many from larger companies. They want nurturing. They want to learn the trade.”
Among that younger generation is Nick’s son, Mario, now vice president. Although he formally joined the Chatham-based company six years ago, Mario has been on job sites since childhood. “I have done this work my entire life. Whenever I was off from school, during summers home from college, I was here working,” he says.
Argent serves most of North and Central New Jersey, offering installation, maintenance and repair across plumbing, heating and cooling systems. Services include furnaces, high-efficiency boilers, hot water heaters and hydronic radiant heating, as well as air conditioning, water softeners, water main and sewer line work, generators, oil-to-gas conversions and backflow prevention.
Indoor air quality has also become a growing focus. “We also test the air quality in people’s homes,” Mario says. The company installs air filters and UV light systems designed to combat airborne contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, mold spores and allergens like dust and pollen. “We install the Aireshield Plasma Air Filter, which neutralizes microbials, bacteria and allergens with electricity, which helps sterilize the air even more.”
Mario emphasizes that homeowners play a key role in maintaining their systems. “People should know what kind of heating and cooling systems they have, the location of the water shut-off valves for the whole house and for water heaters, sinks, toilets, showers, tubs and outdoor sprinkler systems. And they should know where their electrical panel is,” he says. “If someone calls us on a freezing night without heat, it’s impossible for us to offer a temporary solution over the phone if they don’t have the information we need.”
Following manufacturers’ maintenance recommendations is critical. “When people maintain their equipment—boilers, furnaces, tankless water heaters, high efficiency oil burners, generators—they extend the longevity of the equipment,” he says. “In addition, many manufacturers won’t honor warranties if the equipment hasn’t been maintained properly. We offer preventative maintenance for heating and cooling systems.”
He also advises homeowners to regularly check the salt level in water softeners and to leave installations and repairs to professionals when possible. “We get a lot of calls where the homeowner tried to put in their own angle stop or faucet and mess it up,” he says.
For clogged drains, he cautions against misuse of chemical cleaners. “It is meant to be used when you notice your drains are running slow, but if it’s already clogged you can’t run the faucet to send it down the drain line,” he says. “It’s dangerous: If it splashes on you, your skin can get a chemical burn.”
Giving back remains central to Argent’s identity. The company has provided free service to the Chatham Borough Fire Department and Chatham Volunteer Fire Department and sponsors youth sports teams. It’s one of the reasons Mario is proud to be part of the family business. “I love this work because there is something different every day,” he says. “Every day is a different set of challenges.”
Learn more at argentplumbingnj.com.