M. R. Stride / Stride Plumbing and Heating

On the first night of the «polar vortex», our heat pump stopped working and the auxilliary heat would not come on. I reset the electronic control module and the heat came on, but I was spooked that there may be a big problem lurking somewhere.
I called the HVAC guys we’ve trusted and used in the past. They came out, ran some tests, and told me that two of the four heater banks were inoperative and there was no freon in the heat pump. They recommended that I shut down the heat pump and replace it with a new $ 9,500 heat pump system. Fortunately for me, they could install the new system in two days.
I don’t spend $ 9,500 to replace an eight year old HVAC system wthout a second opinion, so I called Rick at M. R. Stride. His guys (one was his son) showed up on time and were very courteous and professioinal. They tested the furnace and showed me that all four banks of the auxillary heat were functioning and showed me that the heat pump was full of freon. They spent about an hour checking out other possible causes for the heat pump to malfunction and found nothing to repair or adjust. They were actually apologetic that they could only tell me that everything was working fine now (so much for needing a new HVAC system).
I have scratched off the previous contractor and will ask for a refund of the service charge (I’ll detail that experience in a separate review). M. R. Stride is now our «go to» guys for all things heating and cooling.