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Company Timeline

Since 1955, Vaughn has been providing electric water heaters for the utility industry, and more recently to the plumbing and heating markets as well. To many customers, Vaughn has been the exclusive supplier of water heaters throughout the life of their rental program. Vaughn is considered a pioneer because, for over 40 years, Vaughn has developed products specifically to meet the changing needs of the electric utility industry.

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1961

James Vaughn begins Vaughn Corporation in Salisbury, MA, and introduces HydraStone lined electric water heaters into the highly acidic and aggressive water conditions of New England, providing a long-life heater capable of sustaining a long-term rental program. Overnight, utilities found that renting electric water heaters was now not only possible, but profitable.

1967

Vaughn's manufacturing facility is expanded by 110% to meet surging demand.

1970

Developed the first foam insulated tanks for energy conservation. Vaughn made standard internal heat traps and cold inlet diffusers for improved efficiency. The results exceeded industry standard conservation measures and helped utilities reduce the load associated with electric water heating.

1972

James Vaughn turns over control of the company to his son, Jim Vaughn, Jr.

1977

Jim Vaughn, Jr. developed a HydraStone lined tank with an internal heat exchanger for residential use that quickly became the preferred water heater for solar domestic hot water systems and residential hydronic applications. These tanks expanded Vaughn's market from its historic stronghold in the Northeast across the country and abroad across both wholesale and utility markets.

1982

Jim Vaughn III takes control of the company, making Vaughn a 3rd-generation family-owned business.

1983

Vaughn releases water heaters with spray-in foam insulation to maximize product efficiency.

1984

Removable Heat Exchanger Coil

Vaughn develops a field-removable heat exchanger.

1988

Controller

First energy controller developed and launched

Vaughn developed the first, patented SMART energy controller allowing homeowners and utility companies to enable control of a water heater with the touch of a button. Today Vaughn's water heater controllers can be set via WIFI, Cellular or BACnet interfaces.

1994

Vaughn Turnkey

Introduced TurnKey Rental Program, designed to help utilities with downsized marketing resources maintain competitive programs. TurnKey provides utilities with a program option that is profitable, accessible, and able to compete in a deregulated market.

1998

TPP Timeline

Vaughn introduces an indirect water heater with the first top-mounted, removable heat exchanger for this new market. This top-mount indirect became extraordinarily popular, as service providers do not need to drain the tank during routine maintenance calls.

1999

First electronic temperature controller capable of real-time communication with electrical meters is released by Vaughn Corp.

2010

Hubbell Generations

Vaughn is acquired by Hubbell Electric Heater Co. of Stratford,CT - itself a 3rd generation family-owned business. The acquisition expands both companies' product lines and enables new growth opportunities. Together, the two companies will meet a wider set of customer needs and have a significantly greater opportunity to grow into new markets.

2010

Heat Pump

Vaughn introduces its integrated heat pump water heater.

2012

Vaughn Thermal Location

Vaughn installs a rooftop solar array, consisting of 910 individual solar panels capable of generating over 50% of the company's total power demand and significantly reducing Vaughn's overall carbon footprint. This, in combination with the adjacent 6MW solar array built by Jim Vaughn III - the largest in New England at its turn-on date - further demonstrates both the Vaughn family's and Vaughn Thermal Corporation's dedication to pursuing renewable energy resources.

2014

Advanced Hydronics, Ramsey, NJ, adds Vaughn products to their Line Card

Vaughn enters into a contract with Advanced Hydronics of Ramsey, NJ to promote and sell its water heaters and controllers. 

 

2016

Featherweight Tank

Featherweight Thermoplastic Tanks are Launched.

After 10 years of research and development, Vaughn launches the latest in water heater and storage tank innovation with the introduction of this lightweight, proprietary technology fusing a polybutene inner liner with a polypropylene and fiberglass structural out layer creating a monolithic vessel.

2022

MJM Associates, Centennial, CO, Hydro-Flo Products, Inc, Brookfield, WI and Action Sales, Morgan Hill, CA add Vaughn products to their Line Cards.

2022

Vaughn Launches New Website.

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