About Us
About Us
Who is C.D.E.?
C.D.E. Air Conditioning Co., Inc. has extensive experience in HVAC installations and replacements, particularly specializing in institutional and governmental work.
C.D.E. believes that the longevity and success of any business, large or small is the result of teamwork and respect. This holds true for internal relationships and relationships with clients and other trades. A respect for, and implementation of, the business philosophy and ethical standards of the firm on the part of the employees is key. C.D.E. is fortunate to have a staff, both past and present, who have had long histories with the firm (often spanning decades). The team includes nine (9) mechanical engineers, each having vast experience in all phases of HVAC contracting.
With bonding capacity of approximately $100,000,000 per contract and an aggregate of approximately $200,000,000, C.D.E. is prepared to take on your projects of both large and small scale.
Please review the current and completed project listings to get a sense of the breadth of experience and expertise C.D.E. can apply to your project.
Heritage
Heritage
C.D.E. Heritage
C.D.E. Air Conditioning has been a mainstay in the New York City HVAC industry for over 80 years. With a tradition of teamwork and integrity, C.D.E. is moving forward toward its 100th year.
C.D.E. Air Conditioning Co., Inc. was founded in 1930 as Commercial Domestic Electric by Joseph F. Azara, Sr.. It was a one person operation that repaired electric appliances. In its early years, the company operated as a residential refrigerator repairer and the name quickly evolved to C.D.E. Refrigeration.
The company grew slowly and shifted to commercial reach-in refrigerators and then walk-in refrigerators. Joseph Azara continued as a mechanic and proprietor until the 1950’s, working in the shop during the day. In the evenings, after dinner and a change of clothes, he would go out to sell refrigeration.
One morning he came in to the shop and announced that “we got our first air conditioning job.” When questioned about his knowledge of air conditioning his response was “same thing, bigger room.” C.D.E. carved out a niche as the leading heating and air conditioning contractor for funeral homes in Brooklyn in the late nineteen-fifties using a signature design developed by Joseph, Sr..
In the sixties, a shift was made toward municipal work, largely with the Department of Public Works (DPW). Later, the DPW became the Department of General Services (DGS) and today is the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).
Joseph F. Azara, Jr. became President in 1979 and is still the CEO. Today, C.D.E. does municipal HVAC work almost exclusively for many agencies including DEP, DDC, DCAS, DOS, DPR, DOT, EDC and HPD. Other clients include the TBTA, PANYNJ, HHC, NYCHA and DASNY.
Brian J. Azara joined the company after spending two years with Atkinson Koven Feinberg Engineers (AKF). He has assumed the position of Corporate Secretary. Brian is the “Third Generation” of Azaras in the HVAC business.