Bryant: Over a Century of innovation, durability and reliable products.

Bryant started out as a manufacturer of gas-fired hot water heaters in 1904. In fifteen short years Bryant had become the largest manufacturer of gas fired hot water boilers in the United States. By the mid 1920’s, the majority of gas boilers sold in the U.S. were made by Bryant. It should be noted that these boilers were achieving a guaranteed efficiency of 80%, ninety years ago!

In the late 1920’s Bryant was manufacturing the most reliable “gravity” furnaces in the country. Gravity furnaces were the precursor to what most of us use to heat our homes today. These furnaces were slightly similar to what we use today with two main exceptions; there was no blower or fan to push the air through the ducts into the home. The heat just rose up through the ducts. And, they were huge! Believe it or not, there are still a few Bryant “gravity” furnaces and boilers in operation in the Chicago area today.

In 1937 Bryant furthers its reputation for innovation and durability by launching the “Duralator”, an all in one heating and cooling unit. It should be noted that in 1938 a Bryant technician named Walter Mehrholz founded the Walter Mehrholz Heating and Air Conditioning Company in Chicago. That company is now called All Temp and is still a family business in its third generation.

In 1955 Carrier Corporation which at the time was the world leader in air conditioning products and related technology, purchased the Bryant Company. This was a somewhat unique venture as Willis Carrier was the actual inventor of refrigeration and thus, air conditioning and Charles Bryant was the leading innovator in furnace technology at the time. Bryant moved its headquarters to Indianapolis where it began its long affiliation with Indy Racing.

In 1979 the Carrier Corporation (and Bryant) was purchased by United Technologies Corp… a Fortune 100 company and provider of high technology for the aerospace and building systems industries. Already the leading manufacturers of air conditioners in the United States, Bryant now establishes itself as the largest U.S. furnace manufacturer as well. And this, from how the author sees it, is where the really cool stuff began.

In 1981 Bryant pioneered the first ever 90% efficient gas furnace with a comfort enhancing variable speed motor. Thirty years ago! Other manufacturers are talking about variable speed technology as the newest thing to come along. Backed by the Research and Development team at United Technologies, Bryant has stayed ahead of the technology curve and never looked back.

Other manufacturers are now telling their customers about the “new” refrigerant. Bryant has had a complete line of air conditioning products utilizing Puron since 1996. While the competition has had to franticly work out all the “bugs” on their high efficiency products to meet the government’s mandates, Bryant has been ahead of the curve making durable and reliable high efficiency products for decades.

In 2004 Bryant celebrated its first 100 years. Bryant continues its proud tradition of proven reliability and optimum year round comfort. With a strong foundation in the residential and commercial markets to build on, Bryant is looking forward to another century of innovation and success. All Temp started using high quality Bryant products in 1938 and like Bryant, has stayed ahead of the curve as well.