Celebrating 75 Years of Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric: A Legacy of Service

Reaching a diamond anniversary is a rare feat for any local business, as it requires a perfect blend of technical skill, unwavering integrity, and a deep connection to the neighbors being served. Since the first truck rolled out in 1951, North Carolina’s landscape has changed significantly, but the need for a comfortable, safe home remains constant. For local homeowners, a service provider is more than just a contractor. They are guests in our homes and stewards of the systems that keep families healthy, which is why this anniversary reflects on the thousands of families who have trusted us with their HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs across multiple generations.

In this blog, we will explore the seventy-five-year journey of Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric, celebrating the milestones that shaped our company and the foundational values that continue to guide our team as we look toward the future of home comfort. 

The Foundation: From Two AC Units to a Community Landmark

The story of Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric began in a world that looked very different from today’s. In 1951, Nathan “Bill” Coolidge Blanton and his wife, Evelyn, launched the business in Fayetteville, when modern climate control was a luxury. To put the era into perspective, Fayetteville had only two homes and two cars equipped with air conditioning at the time. The technology was a novelty, the work was grueling, and the industry was in its infancy, yet the Blantons saw a growing need for comfort and reliability in their community.

Building a business from the ground up required more than just mechanical knowledge. It required a partnership built on shared sacrifice and a clear vision. While demand for home services was growing, Bill and Evelyn focused on building a foundation of trust that would outlast any specific piece of equipment. They understood that they weren’t just installing machines. They were building a reputation. Those early years were defined by long hours and a personal touch, ensuring every neighbor received the highest possible level of care.

Wisdom from the Founders: Doing it Right the First Time

The company’s longevity is directly attributable to the philosophies established by Bill and Evelyn Blanton. Bill was known for his directness and his high standards for craftsmanship. He famously said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to go back and fix it?” This mindset became the gold standard for every technician who would eventually wear the Blanton uniform. It served as a reminder that shortcuts are never worth the cost of a customer’s trust.

Evelyn Blanton provided the moral compass that still guides the office and field staff today. She taught that integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching. These were not just slogans to be hung on a wall, as they were the lived reality of the business. Bill also often reminded his team that the work you do follows you wherever you go. This perspective instilled a sense of pride and accountability in every job, whether it was a minor repair or a complex installation. These foundational lessons ensured that even as the company grew, the heart of the business remained focused on quality and character.

The Evolution of Expertise: Growing to Meet Your Needs

The transition of leadership in a family business is a pivotal moment, and for Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric, 1997 marked the beginning of a new chapter. Will Blanton assumed ownership of the company during a period when the team was small, but its reputation was massive. With just four employees, the business operated with a highly personal, hands-on approach. Every service call was an opportunity to reinforce the connection to the community, a principle Will prioritized as he looked to scale operations to help more families.

By the year 2000, Will and Shanna Blanton were deeply immersed in the complexities of modern business management. This era was characterized by a shift from being a small shop to becoming a structured organization. The company opened its first brick-and-mortar location and expanded the team to seven dedicated professionals. This physical expansion was the first of many, signaling that the brand’s vision was outgrowing its original boundaries. By 2004, the team had expanded to 30 members, necessitating a move to a larger facility to accommodate rising demand for reliable home services in the region.

Expanding the Care: Plumbing, Electrical, and Beyond

Growth is not just about headcount; it is also about the breadth of solutions offered to customers. In 2013, the company made a major strategic shift by joining the Nexstar Network. This partnership brought fresh ideas and a sharper focus on company culture, which was further solidified by the introduction of Coolidge, the company mascot. The most significant evolution, however, was the transition to becoming a full-service home provider. In 2015, electrical services were brought in-house, followed by plumbing services in 2016.

This expansion enabled homeowners to rely on a single trusted name for all their major home systems. Instead of managing multiple contractors, neighbors could call a single team that shared a unified set of values. The commitment to innovation continued into 2024, when the company became a certified Brita Pro partner, offering advanced water filtration solutions to local families. Today, the team has grown to over 115 service professionals, operating out of multiple offices in Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Garner. This growth is a testament to the fact that, while the technology and fleet size have changed, the mission to care for our neighbors’ homes has never wavered.

Blanton’s University: Training the Next Generation of Pros

As the home services industry becomes increasingly technical, the gap between traditional mechanical skills and modern system diagnostics continues to widen. To bridge this gap, Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric took a proactive step by launching Blanton’s University between 2021 and 2022. This internal training program was born of a need to ensure that every technician, regardless of prior experience, meets the exacting standards set by our founders decades ago. It is not enough to simply hire for skill. We believe in cultivating experts who are trained in both the technical “how” and the ethical “why” of our service.

The university serves as a hub for professional development, providing a structured environment where team members can master the latest in HVAC technology, plumbing innovations, and electrical safety. By investing in our people, we provide a clear career path for those entering the trades, strengthening the local workforce. This commitment to education ensures that when a technician arrives at a neighbor’s home, they are equipped with the most current knowledge and a deep understanding of the core values that define our brand.

Coolidge Cares: A Legacy of Community Impact

A business that has thrived for seventy five years owes a great deal to the community that supported it through every season. We believe that leaving a legacy involves much more than just fixing pipes or repairing air conditioners. It is about making a tangible difference in the lives of the people who live alongside us. This philosophy is centered on Coolidge Cares, an initiative where our team members volunteer their time and skills to assist those in need in our community. While Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric provides the tools and resources, our service professionals’ dedication and kindness truly make a difference. Named in honor of our founder, this program ensures that our success is shared with organizations and individuals who need a helping hand. 

Beyond our internal volunteer efforts, our team is deeply involved with several vital causes that touch the lives of our neighbors and our own families:

• Susan G. Komen: Supporting the fight against breast cancer through awareness and research funding.
• MS Society: Contributing to the search for a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and supporting those living with the disease.
• ALZ Association: Partnering with those dedicated to ending Alzheimer’s and all other forms of dementia.
• ALS United: Providing resources and hope for the ALS community and their loved ones.

These partnerships are not just corporate sponsorships. They represent the heart of our team. Whether we are participating in local walks, organizing fundraisers, or simply spreading awareness, we are committed to being a force for good. We understand that a strong community is built on mutual support, and we take our role as a local leader seriously. By focusing on community impact, we carry forward the spirit of Bill and Evelyn Blanton, who taught us that the true measure of a person, and a business, is how they treat others.

Looking Toward 2026: The Future of Home Comfort

As we celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2026, we are not just looking back at where we have been. We look forward to continuing to innovate for the next generation of North Carolina families. The home services industry is evolving rapidly, with a focus on energy efficiency, smart technology, and sustainable solutions. Our team is already ahead of the curve, integrating advanced systems like EV charging station installations and high-efficiency heat pumps into our core offerings. We recognize that today’s homeowners want more than just a repair. They want a home that is smarter, greener, and more cost-effective to operate.

Our physical footprint is also expanding to better serve our growing community. With fully operational offices in Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Garner, we have shortened our response times and increased our availability for emergency services. This expansion is supported by our continued recognition as a top workplace, having recently been honored again on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies. This growth is a direct result of our commitment to our people and our process. As we move into 2026 and beyond, our goal remains the same: to be the most trusted name in home services by treating every client like family.

Why 75 Years is Just the Beginning

Seventy-five years of service is a milestone that very few family businesses ever reach. It is a journey that began with two air-conditioned cars in Fayetteville and has grown into a legacy that spans across the entire region. We have weathered economic shifts, technological revolutions, and changing homeowner needs, yet our core values remain the anchor of everything we do. From the wisdom of Bill and Evelyn Blanton to the modern vision of Will and Shanna, the thread of integrity has never been broken.

We invite you to celebrate this landmark year with us as we continue to provide the “Service with a Wow” that our neighbors have come to expect. Whether you need a simple repair or a complete system overhaul, you can trust that our team will bring three-quarters of a century of expertise to your doorstep. Your home is your sanctuary, and we are honored to be the team you choose to protect it. 

Contact Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric today to schedule your next service and experience the difference 75 years of dedication makes.

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