When World War II ended, companies like General Motors and International Harvester, which had produced tanks for the war effort, switched over to making refrigerators. These units were quite tank-like in terms of their mass and weight. When he opened the shop, Frank was the lone employee, which made for a long difficult workday, especially when delivering refrigerators – up stairs, up fire escapes – all by himself.

As the years went on, the number of employees increased, as did the company’s areas of expertise. By the 1960s, air conditioners increased in popularity and availability and became a Bartol specialty. Heating was added to the list a short time later.

Franklin J. (also known as Frank) Bartol, son of Franklin H., began working at the company as a window air conditioner installer while a high school student in 1962. After college and a stint in the Army, Frank received his Contractor’s License in 1976 and completed Carrier Factory Applied Products Engineering Training in 1980. Frank left the company in the early 1990s, still working in the trade and serving as a manufacturer’s rep, selling commercial and industrial equipment. Frank brought this experience and new levels of technology back to Bartol Heating and Cooling Inc., and purchased the company in January 2010.

Later that year, the company moved to its present home: 1 Bailey Circle in Hodges Square, New London. Despite the changes over the years, one thing has remained constant: Bartol Heating and Cooling, Inc remains committed to the same customer-centered principles of its founder.

In 2017, Frank Jr. sought retirement from the family business through the purchase of Bartol Heating and Cooling by Phalanx Engineering of Warwick, RI.  Although a much larger firm, its owner, Michael Drummond, remains committed to allowing Bartol to continue to foster the personal relationships that Bartol had developed over the years with their local customers.  In 2018, as part of Frank Bartol’s transition to retirement, Joe Short was named VP and General Manager.  Joe’s energy, enthusiasm, and infectious customer service attitude is what drives Bartol today.