Our History

The history of Climate Solutions Inc. spans over 6 decades, three generations, and a multitude of successful projects throughout central New York State, Northern Pennsylvania and the Carolinas.  However it did not begin with the name Climate Solutions.  Founded in 1937 as the Drake Coal Company, by G. Manning Drake.  The company quickly became the largest distributor of coal in the area.  Distributing coal, and heat generating equipment, backed by service which has never been forgotten, G. Manning Drake laid a solid foundation of business practices that are still honored today.  As the times dictated change so did the company.  Coal gave way to the development of natural gas, electric and fuel oil and with it went the coal trucks, transforming them into service vans.  The company name was exchanged for the Drake Heating Company, which it remained until 1976. 

1971-1972, brought into the business a new generation of Drakes; William, David & Stephen were eager to attack the fast growth market of commercial & industrial mechanical contracting.  Paying little attention to the vicarious bid/spec. market, they channeled their efforts toward design/build projects.  The plan was this, create the best commercial service department available, and use that strength to penetrate industry and business.  Ultimately when a project would be needed, they would lean on their established service reputation to get an opportunity at the design/build.  It proved successful and by 1976 the company had grown and evolved to the point that a new name was incorporated, Drake Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 

In the late 70's Drake's had earned national recognition for commercial design/build, such as Dealer of Year award presented by the Rheem Manufacturing Company, for the economical design\build of a chain of Fast Food restaurants, equaling over 600 tons of unitary equipment. Rheem subsequently used Drake in featured advertisements in top national trade magazines.

Hardinge Brothers, Inc. a major manufacturer of industrial collets and laths, accepted Drake's design/build project for reclaiming process water, and with the utilization of water source heat pumps, they were able to heat the entire office facility, for the majority of the time, with the once wasted process cooling water. Closing the entire loop, in a few years, they saved enough in sewer taxes alone to pay for the system. In addition, fuel savings the first year was better than 50%, and like most of their projects, Drake service earned them the sale.

Other projects completed up through the 80's & early 90's included, entire design/build process piping of the new expansive Hardinge Brothers manufacturing facility in Horseheads, New York, multiple projects for the Dresser-Rand Corporation, Painted Post, New York, spanning over six years including computerized energy management systems, chilled water systems, entire facility ventilation systems, and numerous HVAC systems complete. Champion Manufacturing in Norwich, New York is air conditioned by York Chillers, sized, installed and serviced by Drake's. Energy management system for entire Taylor Wine Winery in Hammondsport, New York. The project included over 30 miles of wiring throughout the multi-building facility.  The Ingersoll-Rand Corp. manufacturing facility in Athens, Pennsylvania is ventilated by Equipment installed by Drake, and I-R is currently exploring the feasibility of updating to a pressure style heating & ventilation system for the entire production area, as is installed in other Ingersoll-Rand plants.  The first Honeywell commercial electronic air cleaners, were installed by Drake and Honeywell, like Rheem, subsequently featured Drake in their national advertising of their new air cleaner line. Large nursing homes, schools, malls, Holiday Inns, state correctional facilities, warehouses, and Watkins Glen International Race Track are some of the various projects that are heated, ventilated and air conditioned by Drake Heating & Air Conditioning. Corning, Inc., GTE Sylvania, NA. Philips Lighting Corporation, Burger King, A&P Foods, James way Department Stores, Hills Department Stores, Firestone/Bridgestone Corporation, Arby's Roast Beef, Food & Drug Research (sensitive environmental & temperature control for research areas design/build), Goodyear Tire Company, Artistic Greeting Co., Day's Inn, Marine Midland Bank, Elmira Savings Banks, Raytheon Corporation (Airport towers), Ward Manufacturing, Cornell University Pathology Laboratories, Sysco Foods Corporation, the U.S. Postal Service, have all used Drake for their heating, air conditioning, and ventilation needs.

Today, Drake Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. under the leadership of the three brothers, remains in a steady growth pattern, as they look forward to great success and growth in the new century we are now living in. The growth part is where Climate Solutions Inc. came alive.  Having been so very successful in the Northern part of the USA Drake Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. decided to expand into the Southern Region of the country.  The decision was made to expand in to the Carolinas setting up base of operation in Concord, North Carolina. An commercial/residential installation company was setup to initial business in the region, and the success brought about the need for a company to service the many systems being installed.  They turned to the third generation of the Drake family, Manning R. Drake, and wheels where put into motion in the Spring of 2001 to start a new company, Climate Solutions Inc.

Manning Drake was brought up in the Heating and Air Conditioning business. As a small child he followed his father, David Drake, around asking "what you doing" and "why" learning every step of the way. His father and uncles taught him everything they knew starting with the basics.  As Manning learned the trade he climbed the rungs of many ladders including the ladder of success.  He grew from a parts runner to a Installer and then a Service Tech.  He eventually became a Master Service Technician and then went on to run the service department of Drake's. When the need for a service company arose for the Carolinas the brothers turned to Manning. 

In December of 2001 Manning Drake moved from New York State to start Climate Solutions Inc. to help service the existing customers of Drake Mechanical and to build beyond.  Although Climate Solutions is a young company its roots are deeply planted in the HVAC business.  They have many years of experience and expert knowledge of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning world.  They are now servicing the Carolinas with the Drake quality and service that they are known for in New York and Pennsylvania.

"A Reputation is never Gained, but Earned everyday."         G. Manning Drake

Send mail to webmaster@climatesolutionsinc.com  with questions or comments about this web site.
©2004 Climate Solutions Incorporated. All rights reserved.