RDI Heating & Cooling

Perfect. The work was top notch, but the cost was higher than I imagine it should have been. I am pleased with the work though and would hire them again.

Phil, showed up to our house on time and seems fairly friendly. He quickly went to work checking our furnace. After about ten minutes he says our igniter and capacitor is showing weak and reccomndeds they be replaced. He also says our heat exchanger is thin and needs to be replaced before it breaks and causes carbon monoxide to flow throughout our home. This immediately scares me, as I am a mother of one small child, and we've all heard the scary stories about families dying from breathing in carbon monoxide while they sleep. (We do own a Nook smoke/ carbon monoxide detector) He recommends an entire new furnace, as ours is 20 years old and "they typically last only 12 years". This is a $2200 cost, but I am willing to pay for it because I do not want harm to come to us or the buyers. My husband arrived home, Phil shows my husband all the "weak" items in our furnace, which none of them are located where he shows. He says, "how this is the worst part of his job, delivering bad news." He then calls the main office to see what he can do on the price. To the person on the other line, "oh wow, that's a good price. Are we even making money off of this? Ok I'll tell him, are you sure?" He hangs up the phone. This immediately comes up suspect to us. We had already read the repeated bad reviews on the company telling their customers to buy new furnaces when they only needed some small $100 part fixed. He says he can install a new furnace by tomorrow for only $1900 and deduct our initial price of $118 down to only $59, but we had to make the decision on the spot. We of course felt uncomfortable about this whole thing and declined haveing any service. We then payed another HVAC company to come out a few days later to look at our furnace. He showed us the readings on his machine, which were nowhere close to what RDI had claimed. He also showed us where each each part was located that was recommended to be fixed by RDI, of course not where RDI claimed they were. This company was more expensive then RDI, but he was honest. He said everything was in great condition and that NOTHING needed to be fixed. He said that just because a furnace is 20 years old doesn't mean it has to be replaced. If well maintained they can last a very long time. RDI BANKS ON THE FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR FURNACES AND TRUSTS THE INFORMATION THAT IS GIVEN TO THEM.

The technician told me the unit was very old, the solenoid was not working and it would not be possible to get a replacement part. The cost of a new humidifier would be $700. I agreed because I had had good service from RDI in the past. That night I became uneasy about the cost and the fact that a new humidifier unit sold for around $250 at local hardware stores. I called another heating company for a second opinion. I found out that old unit did not have to be replaced, the solenoid could be placed for a cost of $200! I do not know if RDI service technicians work on a commission when they are sent on service calls, but I do know that I will not be using RDI in the future.

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Good.

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I think they had a good price. Somebody else had to come back and fix something.

A service rep came out to do a furnace tune-up. He then called me in to show me some rust on the venting tube, saying that the furnace needed to be replaced. And he then showed me a puddle on the floor that was coming from my hot water tank, and some "rust" on the tank, and said we needed to replace it too. After he left, I noticed the rate at which the tank was leaking, and thinking about the size of the puddle on the floor, realized that the floor had to have been dry when he got there. Otherwise there would have been a lot more water on the floor. I don't believe for a moment that it just spontaneously started leaking while he was here. I had a trusted handyman come out to look at both pieces of equipment. He said the furnace was fine, and we could easily replace the venting. As for the "rust" on the water tank, it easily scraped off, showing paint underneath---it was not rust. He then explained to me how easy it would have been for the service rep to create the leak, which was what I had suspected all along. So, instead of the $4000-$5000 RDI wanted to charge me to replace everything, we have a $100 repair to the prv, which I should make RDI do for free, but I do not want them in my home ever again. I DO NOT TRUST THEM!

Very disappointed. Non responsive to phone calls. The automatic gas fireplace we purchased has to be fixed or serviced every year for it to work. I'm so glad we purchased our air conditioning system from someone else. RDI has probably lost our business and referrals. We own 2 homes and manage several commercial buildings.We can tell the difference between tradesmen being busy and being non-responsive.

unknown

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The workman arrived on time and was able to assess the issues I was having. He checked my furnace to see if it was going to last and gave me an estimate for a new one. He then cleaned and tuned up my A/C unit and replaced a worn part. Good service and I would use again. The workman, Steve Sayler, did a great job, and was friendly and helpful.

Good

We have had RDI service our Munchkin boiler several times beginning in February of 2014. The boiler would shut off indicating a problem with the flame igniter or the flame sensor. They would clean the sensors and the boiler would work ok for a while, then shut off again. Finally in February of 2015, they recommended we replace the boiler at a cost of approximately $7,000. As you will see below, they obviously did not understand the problem with the boiler. Before we gave them the OK to proceed with installing a new boiler, my neighbor suggested we call C.E. Oakland Pluming and Heating. We called and talked to Mr. Chuck Oakland. He came out and in 5 minutes he diagnosed the problem as a plugged plastic drain line that was causing water to build up in the base of the boiler, eventually covering the sensors and causing the unit to shut down. He unplugged the line and that allowed the water to drain out. The boiler immediately started working again. Mr. Oakland then said he could completely clean the boiler insides and replace a couple of parts, all for around $500. We authorized the work and he ordered the parts. He cam out a week or so later with the parts and cleaned the boiler and replaced the parts. He sent us a bill for $430, which was at least $70 less than he had quoted.

The tech (Brent) was thorough,helpful and informative. I was ready for an up-sell experience after reading some past reviews, but did not get that at all. I will definitely consider RDI for future repair/maintenance.

***WARNING*** On Sept 26th I received a call from a company called RDI Heating and cooling. They were offering an annual maintenance offer of $49.99 for a furnace checkup and cleaning as well as $69.99 for an air conditioning checkup and cleaning I played phone tag with this phone sales person for three days until we finally connected. I scheduled a date for our furnace to be gone through and cleaned for the winter on Sept 26th. A technician by the name of Keith Vanhorn arrived at our home and proceeded, to what looked to be, start looking at our furnace. Keith took off the gas coupler and the igniter device and said that this was our problem with the system shutting down prior to turning on and that it would need to be replaced. We agreed and stated that we knew there was something going on with it due to it randomly shutting off before it could fully start. I informed Keith that I had explained that information to the sales person on the phone and they stated that you would be able to fix it and add it to the $49.99 maintenance fee. The technician, Keith, very calm, quite, laid back demeanor, then proceeds to tell us that in order to do a full inspection of the furnace he will need to completely disassemble it, so that he would be able to see the heat exchanger and all of the inside components. We agreed with Keith and allowed him to take the furnace apart to make sure everything was in good order. Once Keith had everything taken apart he had laid it out to the side of him on a towel that stretch about three to four feet long. All the parts lying on the floor seemed to be in good order I did not see any holes or broken items or anything that would raise concern. Keith proceeded to closely inspect the heat exchanger, explaining that these old clam shell models are notorious for getting tears, holes and cracks in them. As I am watching him inspect this item, I am thinking to myself, I don’t see anything like that and it looks like it is in good shape, for being 23 years old, no holes, no nothing. Keith does not bring attention to any of the other items on the floor. He proceeds to pick up our heat exchanger and take out in my front yard and fills it up with water from our garden hose. I watched the heat exchanger fill up with water and couldn’t seem to find any gaping holes or tears. Water began to leak from the seams where the two clam shell half’s are crimped together as well as very slowly start to leak from the rivets where the two clam’s shells are riveted together. I visually witness these very slow forming water droplets starting to slowly come out of where the rivets are. I think to myself, well ok logically I suppose if metal heats up some gas could escape through this non sealed area but outside of that there is no real problem, no holes or tears or breaks anywhere on the exchanger. We return inside my house and the tech proceeds to inform me the he is going to have to get his supervisor to look at the heat exchanger because it is leaking from around the four or five rivet holes. My children and wife are preparing to eat dinner when Keith’s supervisor arrives, (very quickly for that matter) within ten minutes. He enters our home and proceeds to say how he can see that a lot of water has been lost out of the heat exchanger. Keith’s supervisor’s name is John Spriap. John proceeds to state that our furnace is dangerous and by law they cannot turn this furnace back on. John also states that this furnace is unsafe and that I am are putting my family’s life at risk. He states that code 108.1 states that they are not allowed to turn the furnace on if it is a hazardous situation. John then begins to apologize and he is sorry and he knows that this is never a good time but our furnace needs to be replaced. I informed John that I told his phone rep as well as his technician that we were not ready to buy a furnace and that we need to plan for a purchase like this and now I will tell you ( I said to John), we do not want to buy a furnace there is nothing wrong with ours it has ran fine, less the limit switch issue, for years. John apologizes again and states that he understands and knows it is never a good time, however he is more than happy to write us up a quote and they do offer financing for the purchase of a new furnace. At this point I am absolutely in awe as well as furious. I tell john he needs to put my furnace back together the way it was and yes I will look at his quote. John writes us up a quote for two furnaces. 1. An 80% efficiency furnace. The same thing that we currently have but new model for $1800 and 1 year labor warranty and 10 years parts warranty and 20yrs on the heat exchanger. The other quote was for $3445 for a 95% efficiency model with the same support. John apologizes once again and leaves our home. The technician Keith is left behind to put the furnace back together with my wife and I standing there watching him, feeling angry, upset, mad and in shock. When Keith finished putting the furnace back together I confirmed that is was back to its original state and that we could use it if there was for example an ice age tomorrow and he stated that he was sorry but he was not able to turn it on and that it is against the law and that I should not tell him that I want to run it in case of an ice age. The next morning I went to work thinking all day, about how these people just came into my house and tore my furnace apart and told me I need to buy a furnace when all along I knew there was nothing wrong with it in the first place less the intermittent limit switch. One of my coworkers recommended I call Costco and have them come out and take a look at it. So I did jus that. I called Costco and set up an appointment to have them come out and give a price on the furnace(because by “Law” mine is broken and has to be replaced). A gentleman by the name of Dave Brostrom with Border Sheet Metal and Heating arrived at my home and looked at the furnace and took a couple of pictures and verbally went over the different options I have with furnaces. I explained our situation and the experience we just went through with RDI and he was very apologetic and felt sorry for us and that we should not have had to go through that and that it is one of their sales tactics. Dave also told me that I had the right to call Avista and have them come out and check out our furnace to see if it was truly broken and dangerous. I ran through all the options with Dave in regards to a new furnace and we selected two that would be potentials. He stated he would write up some bids and email them to me and that there was no rush. The next day I called Avista and had them come out to the house. An older fellow by the name of Pat came to our home from Avista and used his CO2 meter and poked the wand in the register, down under the home where the ducting is and in the furnace itself, all of this with it running and had been running. I was completely shocked to have him tell me that his meter read 0 in all instances and that when he did an ambient room check his meter read 0-1, but stated that was due to us using our oven an hour prior to his arrival, (Chicken Pot Pies…yummy). Pat also proceeded to tell us that RDI should not have done what they did and if there was a dangerous situation that they should have tagged our furnace with a Haz mat tag and notified Avista. Avista then would have to come out and test the furnace immediately and deem the furnace to be safe or not safe. Pat also informed my wife and me that we were the third house this week that he had visited to test because of this company. In one instance he stated that we should feel lucky , because they actually put our furnace back together and that they had left some little ole ladies furnace all torn apart. I cringed when I heard this and thought how horrible is this. This should be illegal and these companies need to be held accountable. I feel this is a false scare tactic that is inducing customers to purchase a furnace. This is also called a bait and switch sales tactic using their $49.99 furnace maintenance plan as the bait. Pat recommended that we get at least three bids for a furnace and to make sure they itemize every item that is being installed or changed out. This is my experience with this company and I hope anyone that reads this will have enough foresight to avoid this company and save themselves the pain and anguish of having to deal with the sales tactics that are being used these days. You can go to the Better Business Bureau and you will find numerous accounts of stories just like mine.

They were very responsive. I had a problem and they came out & fixed it. I don't know if there were cheaper places to go because I knew their price only. They have a good reputation and it was not primarily priced. They told me the electrical thing will cost around $500 to $700, but it was twice that. Somebody else did the electrical work, but they gave me an estimate that was way up the base. I set up a long contract with them to inspect my heat pump and my heater.

They were very satisfactory. They've been servicing our heating and air conditioning units every year. They put in a replacement fan for the heating and cooling system in the basement. About a year after they replaced it, it began to have a mechanical grinding noise. They came out, opened it up and found a couple of screws that had come loose. They tightened them and didn't even bill us. I think they've been reasonable with us and provided good service.

When we inquired about replacing our old oil fired boiler with a gas boiler John Spriggs from RDI came to our home and looked at the project, took measurements and pictures. He returned with an estimate and explained step by step the entire process. We had the gas line brought to our property and the next day the installers, Jason and Todd went right to work removing our old boiler and installing the new one. It was scheduled to be a three day project and Pam in the office kept us informed as to the crew's work schedule. They were always on time and finished on time. It was apparent that Jason and Todd were experienced and professional. It was a relief to have our old oil boiler gone and the new efficient boiler installed just in time for winter. Warm house, lower energy costs, HAPPY HOMEOWNERS!

The reason I said no is because they tried to "push" a new furnace instead of simply replacing the bad part. They also tried to convince me (low pressure) to replace a couple of other parts which are still working.

They're very good. They had to fix work that another company did wrong & they did a great job. They were very professional.

They specialize in geothermal heating. They have installed on in my home. They are good at the work they have done so far. They have to come back to hoook it all up.

We had a discount coupon for RDI due to the fact we were newcomers to Idaho and had just purchased our home. We were very pleased with the service and will have them come out each year to inspect the furnace.

UPDATE 3/11/14 Never have I been so disappointed with the end result of a major purchase. RDI , in an effort of pacification, installed a whole house humidifier. It, too, was installed incorrectly and we are back to using our dependable 5 gallon humidifier. We have, of course, changed to a different heating contractor to maintain our system. They have, in the past year, sent out two service people. These professionals have called our $11,000 heating system "slapped together" and "hap hazard". I can in no way recommend RDI and can strongly suggest that they be avoided at all cost. UPDATE 6.25.2012 Issues continue with new heating system. RDI, while responsive, has been rather patronizing. It is my belief, and the belief of the guy at the electric company, that, if the heating system was functioning properly, my electric bills would not have been so high last winter. RDI assures me all is well, the system is working properly. After some threats to remove the new system, RDI agreed to have a manufacturer's rep take a look. The visit from the rep prompted more work on our system. It has been over 9 months, I am very frustrated and not a happy consumer. I had a free coupon for an RDI furnace inspection and decided to take them up on their offer... The service tech showed up, frowned and called in a second opinion. Second opinion quickly arrived and proceeded to condemn the furnace. As we had JUST moved into our new home I was distressed, to say the least. ( WARNING -Do Not hire Vince Vargas Inspections to inspect your home pre-purchase, Vince totally missed the fact that the furnace needed replacing.) RDI set us up with a new & efficient heating system. Installation took two days. The installers were friendly, professional and cleaned up well after themselves. RDI was very good to be certain that we got all available rebate monies, a big deal on such an expensive purchase. There have been some issues with the new system along the way. RDI has been very responsive. They are a helpful, professional and friendly bunch who have really seemed to go the extra mile. I would not hesitate to recommend them or to use them again.

RDI did a great job. They gave us a great price for all the work they did. We were doing a home renovations at the time and made the effort to work around schedules. The furnace was off balance after installation but they came out first thing the next morning and it has worked great since. There product and service is top notch and we would use them again.