In the summer of 1969, John Huether Sr. came home and shared with his wife, Jan, that he wanted to go into business for himself. “It was summertime, it was hot, John was a boiler furnace specialist, and furnace work in the summer just isn’t there,” Jan Huether said. When it came to oil heating systems, John Huether was known as one of the most knowledgeable technicians in the city of Rochester. “He was one of the best, if not the best, other companies were calling him and asking his advice and to share his experience in repair work, and he always shared,” Jan said. With a leap of faith, and four small children to support, John and Jan started their own heating business.
While raising their children, the Huethers ran their heating business for 30 years out of their home on 370 Coldwater Road in Gates. They moved to their current location, 3041 Buffalo Road, Rochester in 2000 in order to grow their business. Over the years, Huether Heating expanded to Huether Heating & Cooling and along the way John and Jan employed all four of their children in the family business.
Daughter Debbie always wanted to work in the family business, and she did, becoming one of the first female HVAC Technicians in Rochester. Debbie loved the work then and still does now. She lives in Texas where she owns and operates a heating and air conditioning company.
Daughter Kim Williams worked for over 30 years as office manager, coordinating the service and sales calls. Kim recently retired to take care of her grandchildren and her health.
Daughter Barbara Clark is currently the Office Manager and is described as, “the glue that keeps everything together, the family and the business.” Barbara said, “Being a family business we all live in the community that we service. We see people in the grocery store. We take care of their heating and cooling at home but we are also active in the community as a business and support local businesses, and community services.”
There is a third generation currently working at Huether Heating and Cooling. Since 2008, Kim’s daughter Holly Sibbald’s job has been scheduling appointments and answering the phone. When you call Huether Heating & Cooling you most likely will be talking to Holly. It wasn’t difficult for Holly to take over such a responsible job, she said, “I think the reason it was easy for me was because my mom taught me. She was a very good teacher. All of the customers knew her well and still today a customer will think I am my mom, and sometimes I think I am my mom, too.”
Son John Huether Jr. is now the owner of the business, having bought it in 1992. He worked along side his dad all through high school up until John Sr.’s retirement. He learned the trade first hand, growing up in the business. All of the knowledge that he acquired from his father over the years is what John Jr. brings to the company. “Huether Heating & Cooling will not sell you something you don’t need. Every day is a challenge and every day is different. When I walk into a customer’s home, I never know what the job will be. My goal is to fix whatever needs work and to keep it going as long as possible,” John Jr. said.
John Huether Sr. passed away in 2011 and Jan Huether retired from the business the same year. Huether Heating & Cooling remains a family owned and operated business in 2019 with the second and third generations now the owner/operators.
Over the years many things have changed. One constant is that Huether Heating & Cooling was founded 50 years ago on integrity and honesty and they remain true to those founding principles today.
For more information on Huether Heating & Cooling call 426-2034 or visit www.huetherheatingandcooling.com.
