BOSTON - ARS/Rescue Rooter, a nationwide provider of heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services, has acquired Climate Zone, based out of Bradford, Mass., through parent company American Residential Services L.L.C.

This acquisition marks ARS/Rescue Rooter’s first presence in Massachusetts, and will serve as a platform for the company to grow its services throughout the Greater Boston area. The company said it will also open an additional branch north of Boston in the Woburn area under the ARS/Rescue Rooter brand name, providing heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services.

“In addition to organic growth, we continue to expand from coast to coast with acquisition of strong service providers,” said Dave Slott, ARS/Rescue Rooter president and chief operating officer. “Combining this aggressive growth with our commitment to exceptional service and employee satisfaction, we believe ARS/Rescue Rooter is a national category leader positioned for even more expansion in services and locations throughout the U.S.”

Climate Zone was founded by Andy DiPietro in 2003, carrying on the three-generation legacy of the DiPietro family, which included a long-term HVAC services company in the Boston area. Currently providing heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and indoor air quality services, Climate Zone works with a wide range of clientele and offers both new installation and repair.

“By joining the ARS/Rescue Rooter team, Climate Zone can better serve the residents of the Boston area, while giving our employees the opportunity to grow professionally as part of a leading national network,” said Andy DiPietro, former Climate Zone president.

In his new role, DiPietro will serve as sales manager for both Climate Zone and the new ARS/Rescue Rooter location. The location in Bradford, Mass., will retain the Climate Zone name, operating as a part of the national ARS/Rescue Rooter Network, with the current staff remaining at this existing location.

Entrance into the Boston area also provides ARS/Rescue Rooter with the opportunity to expand its growing relationship with Home Depot Home Services. “We are continuing to deepen our partnership with Home Depot Home Services, providing heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services through more than 250 Home Depot locations nationwide, including 11 in the Boston area,” said Duane Rapson, ARS/Rescue Rooter Southeast division controller. “In addition to allowing us to service the residents of Massachusetts, this growth opportunity with Home Depot was a major driving force in the acquisition.”

For more information about ARS/Rescue Rooter, visit www.ars.com.

Publication date: 08/11/2008