A local heating and air conditioning company just celebrated its 29th anniversary of keeping CSRA residents comfortable no matter what kind of weather Mother Nature brings.
On April 1, 1994, Gary Hill founded Advanced Air Technology, which is located in Evans. Prior to launching the business, Hill worked for another company in the same industry.
“I was working 50 hours a week for someone else and decided I could work 60 hours a week for myself and have a lot more fun,” he said. “You see a lot more of the rewards than you do when you work for someone else.”
Hill said the biggest changes he’s seen over the last 29 years have been advances in technology and more government regulations.
“It used to be an air conditioner was an air conditioner, but now, we can modulate how much air conditioning you need and get a precise temperature,” he said.
But the federal government has changed its rating system for air conditioning units and the type of refrigerant these units use.
“We’re using less energy, but the cost of energy has risen so high that it’s almost unaffordable,” Hill said.
While rising costs continue to be a challenge, he still loves the business and serving his customers. He currently has 10 employees and keeps his team small to give his customers personalized service. Hill said they won’t have a celebration this year, but next year, they will host one for the business’s 30th anniversary.
“I still go on calls, crawl under houses, and climb into attics,” he said. “We have good feedback and constantly get referrals.”
For more information, visit advancedairtech.net/.