Looking Back on a Legacy: Goettl Celebrates 85 Years

Goettl is now an industry leader in HVAC, but it began with the humble ambition of two brothers—Adam and Gust Goettl. The company has achieved many milestones, including recognition as a community leader in Phoenix, where it was founded.

This year, Goettl celebrates 85 years of industry leadership and innovation nationwide. Let’s take a look back at the legacy.

A Dream of Two Brothers

Goettl Metal Products, which would later become Goettl Air Conditioning, was founded in 1939 by Austria-Hungary-born Adam and Gust Goettl. Combining their business acumen with Adam’s entrepreneurial spirit and Gust’s innovation – with some inspiration from the oppressive Phoenix heat – Goettl was born.

With the cost of cooling systems out of reach for many homeowners in the 1930s, life in Phoenix often involved “sleeping porches”—screened outdoor rooms or lawns where residents slept in hopes of staying cool. In the scorching summers, Phoenix residents moved to cooler locations to escape the heat.

In 1934, Adam and Gust’s brother, Bill Goettl, brought improvements to home cooling when he arrived in Phoenix. Following in his footsteps, Adam and Gust also relocated to Arizona. The two formed Goettl Brothers Metal Products in 1939, installing evaporative coolers, but they would eventually develop numerous heating and cooling technology innovations that were first of their kind.

By 1946, the Goettl brothers launched International Metal Products, which became the world’s largest manufacturer of evaporative coolers. They were producing 100,000 units annually by 1952. Adam Goettl would earn the title, “The Father of Evaporative Air-Cooling,” after filing more than 200 patents. Sun Valley, AZ, was finally an air-cooled oasis, but the intense summer humidity presented a new challenge with evaporative cooling.

With the help of Bill, the brothers developed refrigerated, mechanical air conditioning that could cool and dehumidify the air. Eventually, manufactured AC units were ready to tackle Sun Valley’s extreme summer temperatures and humidity, turning Phoenix from an inhospitable environment to an air-cooled oasis.

Helping the War Effort

Those talents extended far beyond HVAC, however. During WWII, the brothers supported the war effort with their manufacturing operations. They gained military contracts to manufacture metal coffin liners, lifeboat covers, and other essentials.

Air conditioning was fairly new at the time. Many people didn’t have access to or experience with air conditioning, which wouldn’t become commonplace in American homes until the 1960s. As Phoenix expanded following the war, the Goettl brothers would drive through the city with air conditioning units attached to their trucks to cool down community members.

With this generosity and inspired marketing initiative, Goettl quickly became a household name.

Pioneers in HVAC Technology

In the decades since its launch, Goettl has had many industry firsts. The Goettl brothers pioneered sheet metal manufacturing and had more than 100 patents on their technology—not to mention turning Goettl into a local icon. Goettl also went on to pioneer the first commercially successful air-to-air cooling units and bring the first of approximately 50,000 air conditioners to the Sun City communities in Arizona.

After becoming the largest HVAC contractor in the US in the 1970s, Goettl introduced and patented the first combination gas heating and electric air conditioning units—the Gas Pack—and the Piggy-Back combination evaporative cooler, electric A/C, and heat pump. In 1978, Goettl also installed the first residential solar water heating system in Arizona.

The 1990s brought more innovation. The company manufactured private-label products for Weatherking, Webb-Aire, American Best, and heat pumps for Amana.

Leaders in efficiency, Goettl became a Charter Partner of the EPA’s Energy Star Program and introduced the first 12 SEER packaged heated pump line, and later, the first 13 SEER packaged heat pump line. Later, Goettl became one of the only two A/C manufacturers to break with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) in backing the Department of Energy’s rule to increase the minimum A/C efficiency standard to 13 SEER in 2006.

Goetll continued working with the Department of Energy, introducing a 15-ton gas-engine-driven heat pump under contract with the trademark Comfortquest. In 2005, Goettl Vice President & Chief Engineer Al da Rosa was appointed chairman of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASRAE) Unitary Committee to develop the test standard for the Department of Energy’s minimum efficiency standards.

As a community pillar, Goettl contributed to the building of the Arizona Historical Society Museum and has been featured on television’s “This Old House” and The History Channel. The company’s philanthropic efforts include supporting ACCA Operation Cool Aid for less-fortunate residents, donating 20,000 cases of bottled water to the Phoenix Mayor’s water campaign for the homeless and homebound, and establishing a post-9/11 HVAC tool endowment for veterans at the College of Southern Nevada. Goettl also donated a cooling system for the Sheriff’s Animal Rescue Shelter.

The Current Goettl Family

Goettl’s current Board Chair and former CEO, Ken Goodrich, has childhood memories that are strongly tied to Goettl. He held his father’s flashlight while he serviced AC units, admiring the quality and longevity of the products.

In 2013, Goodrich purchased Goettl Air Conditioning, expanding its locations beyond Phoenix to new locations – including Tucson, Austin, San Antonio, Las Vegas, and multiple locations in Southern California. Under his leadership, Goodrich intends to keep the “Goettl Workhorse” going and the brand a household name. In “Goettlizing” the nation, the team at Goettl is bringing trusted expertise and a customer-first mentality to new markets – all while keeping customers’ homes comfortable.

In 2023, Goettl promoted President Jake Gress to CEO to spearhead the company’s day-to-day operations, drive strategic growth initiatives, and reinforce Goettl’s commitment to legendary service and innovative solutions in the HVAC industry. Together, Gress and Goodrich position Goettl to forge ahead in industry leadership and innovation.

Goettl’s current family is a team of unique individuals who create the foundation of the trusted, innovative, and iconic brand – just as it was in 1939. They carry the legacy of the Goettl brothers and their dream into every product, every job, and every relationship.

What’s Next for Goettl?

Never one to rest on laurels, Goettl has been adapting, innovating, and forging ahead from 1939 to present day. As a leader in HVAC and plumbing, Goettl and its team will continue to invest in technology that impacts the HVAC industry, find new solutions to efficiency and HVAC techniques, and continue to show people that careers in the trades are lucrative and offer numerous opportunities. Goettl is building the next generation of HVAC and plumbing technicians to serve home and business owners now and in the future.

As the motto goes, “We do things the right way, not the easy way.” Our promise to clients is to provide a safe and clean environment, demonstrate mastery of our craft with unmatched work ethic, impeccable workmanship, and cutting-edge tools and technology. We put the “can-do” spirit in all we do, seeking to continuously innovate, improve the customer experience, build lifelong relationships, and forge legendary experiences.