Then and Now

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Then: Our History

Hunton Group has provided HVAC, building automation, energy, and indoor environmental solutions to customers across Texas and the surrounding region since 1981.

Founded in November 1981 by Richard O. Hunton, the company began as Houston Trane, a Trane commercial HVAC franchise located on Landsbury Drive in southwest Houston. The organization initially consisted of three core divisions: Commercial Sales, HVAC Service, and Parts.

From the beginning, Mr. Hunton’s vision was to build a leading commercial HVAC solutions provider serving Houston and Southeast Texas through technical expertise, dependable service, and long-term customer relationships.

Building an HVAC Company in Houston

Hunton launched with 75 associates and generated $28 million in sales during its first full year of operation. In early 1983, the Building Controls division was established, expanding the company’s capabilities beyond HVAC equipment into building controls and system management.

On January 1, 1984, the business transitioned to an independent, privately owned company under Mr. Hunton’s leadership.

During Houston’s economic downturn in the mid-1980s, commercial HVAC equipment sales declined significantly across the market. Hunton’s HVAC service and parts operations, however, continued to grow year over year. This resilience helped shape a long-term strategy centered on diversification, technical expertise, customer service, and sustainable growth.

By carefully scaling its financial resources, workforce, technology, and service capabilities, Hunton more than doubled its revenue by 1986.

Expanding HVAC Services and Distribution

In 1990, Hunton expanded into the residential HVAC market after acquiring exclusive Trane Residential and Light Commercial Unitary, or LCU, distribution rights for Southeast Texas.

That same year, the company built a new corporate headquarters in Houston’s Westchase District, bringing its growing divisions together under one roof.

The 1990s brought continued expansion:

1993: Existing Building Systems division launched
1994: Vical Financial, an in-house HVAC financing company, was formed
1994: Sales surpassed $60 million with 115 associates
1997: Houston Trane became Hou-Tra International as international business increased
1997: Specialty Products was introduced to provide non-Trane components for large chilled water and central plant systems
1998: HVAC Mechanical Services, Inc. was acquired, creating a full-service, turnkey HVAC solutions division

These investments expanded Hunton’s ability to support customers throughout the lifecycle of their buildings, from HVAC equipment and system design to service, controls, parts, financing, and building optimization.

The Hunton Group Family of Companies

In 2002, Hunton Distribution was established by combining Residential Sales, Parts, Supplies, and Vical Financial. Distribution operations expanded into West Texas, Oklahoma, and Eastern New Mexico.

By 2004, the organization had unified under the Hunton Group name, bringing its commercial HVAC solutions and distribution businesses together under a shared identity.

Growth continued rapidly. By 2006, Hunton Group exceeded $250 million in annual revenue and employed more than 350 people. Annual revenue reached $300 million by 2008.

During this period, Hunton expanded beyond traditional HVAC equipment and service into energy efficiency, building automation, system integration, and smart building technology.

Hunton Energy was formed to help customers improve building performance and reduce energy consumption. Convergentz was also established as a building automation and systems integration company specializing in open-protocol building controls.

Advancing Smart Buildings and Building Automation

As building technology evolved, Hunton continued investing in solutions that connect HVAC equipment, building automation systems, controls, energy management, and facility operations.

Between 2006 and 2023, Hunton Group achieved several significant milestones, including multiple Trane Pacesetter Awards and major commercial HVAC and building automation projects throughout Houston.

Convergentz completed Houston’s first Smart Building retrofit at Pennzoil Place, demonstrating how existing commercial buildings can use integrated building systems, controls, and data to improve performance.

Hunton also completed major HVAC and central plant retrofits throughout downtown Houston while continuing to expand its commercial HVAC service, building automation, energy, distribution, and rental capabilities.

Now: Hunton Group Today

Today, Hunton Group is a family of companies providing HVAC equipment, commercial HVAC service, building automation systems, system integration, energy solutions, parts, equipment distribution, and rental solutions.

The organization remains focused on its mission to be the preferred provider of efficient, sustainable indoor environmental systems and services for commercial, industrial, and residential customers.

“Our ultimate goal across the Hunton Group family of companies is seamless service and 100% customer satisfaction,” says Richard O. Hunton, Chairperson and Founder. “We’ve intentionally structured our organization to coordinate our expertise and resources in ways that make our customers’ jobs easier and deliver measurable value.”

A Recognized Houston Employer

Hunton Group continues to be recognized for its workplace culture, family-owned business leadership, and commitment to its associates.

Recent recognition includes:

Houston Chronicle Top Workplace: 14 years, including 2026
Houston Business Journal Best Family-Owned Business: 3 years
USA Today National Top Workplace Award: 5 years, including 2026

With more than 700 associates and over $600 million in annual sales, Hunton Group combines financial strength, technical expertise, local market knowledge, and long-standing industry partnerships to serve customers throughout Texas.

Our teams support commercial buildings, industrial facilities, healthcare environments, educational facilities, data centers, offices, and other critical environments with solutions designed to improve building performance, reliability, comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.

Continuing to Grow Across Texas

Hunton Group continues to invest in its people, technology, facilities, and geographic reach.

In 2026, Hunton Distribution, Hunton Services, and HRS expanded into College Station, Texas, with operations planned to open in October 2026. This expansion will provide customers in the Bryan-College Station region with greater access to HVAC equipment, parts, commercial HVAC service, and rental solutions.

More than four decades after its founding, Hunton Group continues to evolve with the buildings and communities it serves.

From commercial HVAC equipment and service to building automation, smart buildings, energy solutions, equipment distribution, and rental services, our goal remains the same: to improve the indoor environments where people live, work, learn, and play.