For Ann Arbor-based Ductz International Inc., helping the community and meeting one of its key business needs go hand in hand. This spring, the air-duct cleaning and HVAC restoration franchise company began working with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, making the indoor air cleaner in foreclosed homes being renovated for new homeowners. Ductz uses these homes to help train its 173 franchisees, each of whom undergoes a two-week course at the company's national training center in Ann Arbor. After working on a Habitat home in metro Detroit, many of these franchisees, like Fred Hallett of Milwaukee, continue helping the nonprofit group after they launch their own Ductz businesses in other states. "One of the first things I plan to do is look them up," Hallett said last week while cleaning the ducts in a Habitat home in Ypsilanti. Josh Titler, Ductz's director of business and community development, came up with the idea of partnering with Habitat early this year. "This will spread all across the country," he said. So far, Ductz franchisees have improved the air quality in nine Habitat homes in metro Detroit. Until Ductz came along, Habitat had to spend several hundred dollars to hire someone to clean the air ducts and HVAC systems in its homes. Besides improving air, the cleaning makes furnaces more energy efficient. Before, Ductz used to have to search for houses that it could send its trainees to. Now, they always have a place to hone their new skills. "These homes are wonderful for training," said Tim O'Connor, Ductz's director of franchise operations. ...read more