Good Works: Care is in the Air

For Will Housh, "Experts Who Care" is much more than a tagline; it’s a tradition that carries beyond his customers to needy children around the globe.

The three-generation tradition of service began in 1954 when William Housh II started a heating and air conditioning business out of his Cincinnati-area garage. Now his grandson, Will Housh IV, combines that heritage of service and experience with a new approach and techniques, leading an industry-wide paradigm shift that transforms how people buy heating and air conditioning equipment and service.

The Internet has broken down geographical barriers for the Housh family business, and the local contracting company was sold in 2012. The new web-based company, HVAC.com, provides unbiased advice and free shipping on a variety of brands, and connects customers with screened and certified contractors in their town for installation and service. Customers can contact the HVAC.com team of experts at any time on any device.

Housh extends caring beyond his customers to his employees and to orphans by channeling a significant portion of the company’s proceeds to Back2Back, a ministry that serves orphans and impoverished children around the world by meeting spiritual, physical, educational, emotional and social needs.

But the company’s care goes beyond finances. Each year, all team members are invited to join Will Housh on a week-long trip to one of Back2Back's international ministry locations, all expenses paid, with an extra week of paid vacation for the week of service. Most recently, in April 2014, the team traveled to Monterrey, Mexico, to help support Back2Back by helping build a new orphanage called Dreams.

“Sure it's fun serving customers and shipping products all over the country,” says Housh. “But at the end of the day our real passion is giving back to those in need. We like to roll up our sleeves and get directly involved to show our love to the kids.”

Will Housh has built his business on a tradition of integrity, not only putting customers first, but also helping to transform the lives of children who have no idea what the letters HVAC mean. His business is successful because he cares about more than just business, and he acts on that caring every day.

On the HVAC.com website, you can access information on a variety of heating and air conditioning products, meet the service team, and even watch a video of the latest mission trip (click on “Transforming Lives” at the bottom of the page).

Chuck Proudfit is the Founder and President of SkillSource, a business consultancy; Director of At Work on Purpose, a ministry to working Christians; and, Executive Board Member of Self Sustaining Enterprises, a global innovator of social enterprise.