History
Since 1970, Epperson Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, and Electric (EPPERSON) has been a family-owned and operated business in Somerset-Pulaski County, now encompassing three generations.
Gene Epperson, owner, founder, and president is a local native and 1953 graduate of Pulaski County High School. Before starting the business, he worked at a local grocery store until Somerset’s former General Electric glass factory came to town where he was the 12th person ever hired. Gene started as furnace operator, but soon became fascinated with the electrical trade. While working at the plant, he began taking vocational courses in electronics and electrical wiring on the side. Gene would succeed in his new career endeavor. He was named head electrician at the General Electric factory where he served in the role for five years. Why the departure after being in the position he always wanted? His interest had expanded from just electrical work, and he was now focused on another goal…heating and air conditioning.
Gene began installing heating and air conditioning systems out of the basement of his former house on Kentucky Avenue in downtown Somerset. Although more of a side hustle than a business at the time, he was determined to continue to follow his newfound passion. On December 12th 1970, Gene received a knock on his front door by sales representatives of General Electric to become a dealer of the General Electric heating and air conditioning equipment (now Trane).
With no employees and only one truck EPPERSON was formed. In March 1971, Gene made his first official sale to his next-door neighbor and from that point on the business took flight. With growth quickly occurring in 1972, Gene purchased some land and built an office at 112 W. University Dr. (property adjacent to the General Electric glass plant) and where the company’s office operation is still active to this day.
Gene’s late brother, Edgar Epperson, joined as a business partner in 1972. Ed served in the Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) during World War II. After the military, Ed returned to the Epperson Brothers farm where he raised dairy cattle and farmed. After joining Epperson in 1972, Ed became a vital part of the HVAC installation and led the HVAC installation and residential sales for many years. Edgar was a vital part of Epperson, and with his partners, created a very successful and reputable business in the Somerset-Pulaski County area. Ed passed in 2017 and is still greatly missed by everyone here at Epperson.
Gene’s son, Greg, represents the second generation of the family business and currently serves as Treasurer. He is a 1974 graduate of Somerset High School and worked in the family company his entire boyhood life, even at the early age of eight years old he was installing and wiring plugs and switches for the company at the pay of a quarter a hour. After completing his post high school education, Greg decided to make the company his career and became a partner in 1981. In the early 1980s, Epperson continued to expand and added plumbing to its service offering, completing the trio of HVAC, plumbing, and electric it still offers to this day.
To Our Valued Customers…
Over the years, EPPERSON has never wavered in its mentality to provide every customer premier, top-of-the line products with unmatched service and expertise. The company’s founders, along with an outstanding team of employees throughout the years, have laid a strong foundation in which the company continues to build upon each and every day. At EPPERSON, we take great pride in being a part of the Somerset-Pulaski County community and look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
Voted #1 HVAC Company and #1 Electric Company in Somerset-Pulaski County
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