In 1953, while working for the local gas utility, Frank H. Monroe identified a possible market for his future business. While installing natural gas services in Southern Indiana resident’s homes, he started to offer installation of new natural gas forced air furnaces in place of existing coal and fuel oil furnaces. Just like that, a new local business was born.
Frank H. Monroe Heating and Cooling, Inc. was started in Frank Monroe’s home on Beeler St. in New Albany. Eventually he was able to leave his job with the utility company and work in his small business full time. As the work load increased and employees were added, the business finally outgrew the house.
A larger “storefront” style business was opened on Vincennes St. directly across from New Albany High School. Then as the 6o’s came to a close, central air conditioning options were added to the business and there was a need to grow again. In 1974 Frank H. Monroe Heating and Cool ing, Inc. opened the new “modern” office/ shop located at 595 Industrial Blvd. in New Albany Industrial Park off Mt. Tabor Rd. This is where the business continues to operate, over 70 years after the humble beginnings in the home on Beeler St.
Frank H. Monroe Heating and Cooling, Inc. remains a family owned and operated business. Frank Monroe’s grand son, Steven LaDuke, continues building upon the traditions of honesty and hard work that have served the business so well through the years. “My grandfather always did business on a handshake and with integrity” said LaDuke. “That is all we have known and that is how we continue to do business today.”. LaDuke comment ed, “Technology and markets change but honesty should never change.”
Frank H. Monroe Heating and Cooling, Inc. offers free second opinions to people who might want to double check or question another contractor’s findings. “There are times that we verify the findings of other contractors, but there are also times when we have been able to save a homeowner thousands of dollars just by taking our time and locating the real problem with a system and not just trying to sell something,” said LaDuke.
Frank H. Monroe Heating and Cooling, Inc. has carved out a nice place in the local heating and cooling scene performing both residential and commercial projects. “It’s not uncommon to find a contractor who does ONLY residential or ONLY commercial projects.” LaDuke said. Frank H. Monroe Heating and Cooling, Inc. mixes both commercial and residential every day. The same industry that goes into a large commercial project, also goes into furnace and air conditioning replacements in resident’s homes Southern Indiana.
As with his grandfather, the Southern Indiana community is important to Steven LaDuke. The Piankeshaw Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently awarded LaDuke the DAR Community Service Award. The DAR serves as caretakers of the Scribner House Museum which needed replacing its heating and cooling systems. LaDuke partnered with their equipment supplier and was able to provide three new heating and cooling systems along with the installation of the systems at no cost to DAR or the Scribner house.
“The people at DAR and Scribner House preserve a little piece of our local history and have helped educate our children for years and hopefully years to come,” LaDuke said. “They can now spend that money on things more important than heating and cooling systems!”
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