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Chandler doing his part to help homeowners
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Times photo: Tere Dunlap Doug Chandler gives senior citizens special rates and never charges them for overtime.
MONROE - In these times of economic hardships, Doug Chandler is using a few tried-and-trusted ways to jumpstart his new business, Chandler Heating and Cooling.

With 30 years experience in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning field, Chandler has some unique insights on how to bring back the "old-fashioned" service our parents were used to.

"I don't sell furnaces and air conditioners, I sell service," Chandler said.

Chandler focuses on the needs of working couples today by offering extended service hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with no overtime charges.

"With blue collar workers, both have to work. If you get home at 5:15 p.m. and find out your furnace isn't working, then what?" he said.

Recent experience with managing apartment complexes in Monroe and Mineral Point has helped Chandler recognize senior citizens' hardships and needs.

So Chandler is taking care of his senior citizen customers with special rates and discounts as well as no overtime charges ever, including weekends and holidays.

"That is the old-fashioned service that we gave all customers back in the 70s and 80s when I was first starting out," he said. "It's what they have come to expect and deserve."

Chandler learned about customer service in his youth.

"My dad had two gas stations in the 60s and 70s, and I had seven brothers and sisters. Jim was the oldest and took the money and pumped the gas, but I would check the oil and Joe washed the windows," he said.

Chandler has also designed "Chandler Energy Dollars" in $10 and $20 denominations to be used on any and future service calls. These are handed out after every service call and given away for referrals.

"The market is flooded with them," on the back of Pick 'N' Save receipts, in Kwik Trip, in the Buyers Guide and Shopping News, and on bulletin boards around town, Chandler said.

Chandler started preparing for his new venture in November, and launched it in May.

The new business has "taken off really well," and has grown in customer base, he said, a sign that "old-fashioned" still works.

Licensed, bonded and insured, Chandler services all major brands of heating and air conditioning systems in Green and eastern Lafayette counties.