Ductz Partners with Habitat for Humanity

DUCTZ International Partners With Habitat For Humanity Affiliates Across The Country

DUCTZ to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Refurbishing Process for Homes Presented to Low-Income Families; Infuses Habitat for Humanity Mission into Corporate Culture and Training

Ann Arbor, MI – When moving into a previously occupied home, it's tough to tell what could be present in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and ductwork. Most homeowners cannot access the ductwork, but thanks to DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals, some new Habitat for Humanity homeowners do not have to worry.

    

DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals is America's largest air duct cleaning and HVAC restoration company certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). Recently, DUCTZ joined forces with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country by offering their services to help improve indoor air quality and the efficiency of the HVAC systems for refurbished Habitat for Humanity homes that are presented to low-income families. This partnership was spearheaded when DUCTZ of Southeast Michigan contacted the Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley (Washtenaw County affiliate), and offered their services for soon-to-be Habitat homeowners.   

"Working with Habitat for Humanity is a natural fit for our business.  They're an amazing group of people, and this continues our mission to raise the bar with our company's philanthropic endeavors," said John Rotche, Founder and President of DUCTZ International LLC. "DUCTZ professionals now provide exceptional services to Habitat homes ductwork and HVAC systems, which will help to improve indoor air quality and lower energy costs for new families moving into these refurbished homes. Families enjoy a peace of mind knowing they can take pleasure in their new home breathing cleaner air." 

As part of the DUCTZ new franchisee training process, new franchisees go through an extensive two weeks training session to learn every detail of the DUCTZ cleaning process. During the training, new franchisees, led by NADCA certified DUCTZ master trainers, clean a real house in the community.  Instead of servicing randomly selected homes in Metro Detroit, like they have in the past, DUCTZ is putting their training to good use by cleaning the air ducts and HVAC systems of Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley homes.  DUCTZ has also worked with Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County and plans to work with Habitat for Humanity in Macomb, Wayne and Livingston Counties.  Typically, the air duct cleaning service would be valued at anywhere from $400 to $900 for homes between 1,000 to 2,500 square feet, but now will be given to a Habitat family in need for free.  

Once the graduated DUCTZ franchisee completes training they are eager to bring the Habitat for Humanity relationship back to their local community. This new relationship has already formed involvement in five other major cities; Atlanta, GA, Milwaukee, WI, Baltimore, MD, Indianapolis, IN, and Cincinnati, OH.

"We all know the housing market is under such scrutiny right now.  It's painful to think about how property values have plummeted.  But we're so proud to work with Habitat to help make a difference, so good families can improve their lives, as well as improve the neighborhoods and property values all over Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan," said Josh Titler, DUCTZ Regional Operations Manager. 

"Our goal is to have the DUCTZ network of over 160 franchise locations nationwide service at least one Habitat for Humanity home in their local market by the end of 2009," said Titler. "This number combined with the dozen homes to be serviced along with the partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, the company anticipates close to $170,000 of services donated this year alone."  

About DUCTZ

DUCTZ, the nation's largest air duct cleaning and HVAC restoration franchise organization, was originally founded by John Rotche in 2002, as a "one van" operation in Ann Arbor, MI. Since franchising in 2004, DUCTZ has quickly become a recognizable industry leader now operating over 160 franchise locations in over 32 states. DUCTZ is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaner's Association (NADCA), and Energy Star approved. DUCTZ was featured on cable television's show Designing Spaces, and in Entrepreneur magazine's January 2009 issue, was ranked #1 in its category and in the upper half of the Top 500 Franchises in the United States. For more information, visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.DUCTZ.com" www.DUCTZ.com.