Our History

 

Murray HVAC has proudly served Chicago’s North Shore since 1948. The company began as Murray Oil Co., an oil delivery business founded by Dick Murray. As the company grew, Dick recognized that many customers needed not only fuel delivery, but also reliable heating service and repair.

 

To better serve those customers, Dick partnered with Harold Brainerd, the service manager of Braun Brothers Oil, one of the largest oil delivery companies on the North Shore. Together they formed Murray Heating Service, combining fuel delivery expertise with exceptional heating system service and installation.

 

Over the years, Murray Heating became known for installing and servicing heating systems and some of the first residential air conditioning systems on the North Shore. As homes and commercial buildings became more complex, Murray earned a reputation for solving difficult comfort and mechanical problems that others couldn’t.

 

Following Dick Murray’s passing, Harold Brainerd became sole owner and continued to grow the business through his commitment to quality workmanship, technical expertise, and customer service. Many of the company’s long-standing customer relationships were built during this time.

 

In 1967, Dennis Brainerd joined the company and worked in every aspect of the business, learning directly from his father. Like Harold, Dennis developed a reputation for diagnosing and solving challenging heating and cooling issues that other contractors could not resolve. Harold retired in 1991 and remained a source of inspiration until his passing in 2020 at the age of 98.

 

Today, Dennis continues to lead Murray HVAC, remaining actively involved in service calls and supporting technicians on complex projects. The company remains family-owned and operated, with daughter Shannon Brainerd managing the office and customer service operations.

 

More than 75 years after its founding, Murray HVAC continues to provide honest, dependable service to generations of North Shore families. For generations, homeowners have trusted Murray HVAC to solve the comfort problems others couldn’t. From older homes to complex heating and cooling systems, that tradition of expertise, problem-solving, and personal service continues today. We are grateful for the trust of our long-time customers and look forward to serving new ones for years to come.