Harley's Heating & Air Conditioning
Three Generations of Comfort and Trust
When Realtors ask which HVAC company to trust on new home sales, inspections, and service, Lincoln’s top agents consistently turn to Harley’s—backed by 55 years of craftsmanship, integrity, and proven results.
Lincoln is dotted with neighborhoods Harley’s Heating & Air Conditioning helped bring to life. For more than five decades, this family-owned, local company has kept homes comfortable through blizzards, heat waves, and everything in between.
Now in its third generation, Harley’s continues to build on decades of craftsmanship, integrity, and commitment to keeping Lincoln homes comfortable.
A Legacy of Service
Harley’s provides complete residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services, along with select light-commercial work. From new construction through every stage of homeownership, the company designs, installs, maintains, and replaces comfort systems tailored for performance and longevity. Their specialty lies in high-efficiency, variable-capacity technologies such as geothermal, air-source heat pumps, and radiant floor heating—systems that add both comfort and resale value.
Headquartered at 4224 Progressive Avenue since 1970, Harley’s is powered by a compact, highly skilled crew of ten. The service team—led by Brian Wold, Randy Nguyen, and Joe Parks—brings nearly three decades of combined experience, ensuring fast, accurate diagnostics and minimal downtime. The installation team is headed by master craftsman Richard Bradley and supported by rising talents Elijah Rieper and Alex Decker.
The company’s leadership team continues the Shortridge family’s long-standing commitment to keeping Lincoln comfortable. Rick and Kim guide operations alongside their son Matt and daughter-in-law Lisa, carrying forward a family legacy of dependable service to Lincoln homeowners and the agents who serve them.
“We’ve proudly served Lincoln for more than 55 years, and in many cases, our technicians have worked in the same homes through multiple owners,” says COO Matt Shortridge. “That continuity builds trust—not just with homeowners, but with Realtors who rely on accurate, timely feedback.”
Harley’s maintenance division—often the same techs who handle service calls—keeps systems humming, warranties valid, and surprises rare.
“The HVAC system is often the third most expensive component of a home, behind the property and the structure itself,” Shortridge adds. “We help clients protect that investment.”
Family Company, Championship Team
Inside the office, Harley’s culture is guided by founder Harley Shortridge’s enduring motto: “Do it right, or don’t do it at all.”
Though Harley has passed, his philosophy shaped the company through every challenge, including the 2008 housing crisis, and continues to define the company today. Rick, a Master Mechanic since 1993, worked alongside his father Harley for more than four decades and still lends his expertise at job sites. Kim has been the warm voice of Harley’s for more than 20 years, leading customer service and office operations with a personal touch clients don’t forget.
“Customers know Kim by name,” says Matt. “They’ll call just to ask for her.”
That consistency of skilled tradespeople, long-term staff, and family leadership, creates reliability Realtors can trust.
Tradition Meets Innovation
As Rick and Kim begin to plan their transition toward retirement, Harley’s enters its next chapter of family leadership. While the company will remain rooted in craftsmanship, its next generation is blending those values with modern, data-driven tools that benefit both homeowners and real estate professionals.
Lisa Shortridge, formerly with PayPal, now leads efforts to modernize communication and client care. Her focus is on ensuring fast, transparent updates for both homeowners and Realtors.
Matt Shortridge, who holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, brings a scientific mindset to HVAC problem-solving. His focus on data, diagnostics, and efficiency helps Harley’s deliver reliable system assessments—an asset to Realtors navigating pre-sale inspections and negotiations.
“HVAC, after all, is applied thermodynamics,” Shortridge explains. “We’re using science to make homes more comfortable, efficient, and predictable for our clients and their agents.”
The result is a family business that blends craftsmanship with science. This mix of tradition and innovation not only improves comfort but also builds confidence in the buying and selling process, ultimately helping Realtors protect listings, avoid surprises, and provide lasting comfort for new homeowners.
A Trusted Partner for Realtors
Harley’s backs up its reputation with measurable excellence: a 4.9-star rating across 470 Google Reviews and multiple Presidential Awards from Carrier.
The company works closely with Lincoln Realtors on pre-sale system checks, honest replacement timelines, and maintenance documentation that supports negotiations. That transparency and responsiveness make Harley’s a trusted referral for Lincoln Realtors who want their clients to feel confident from offer to closing.
“Our goal is to protect home value, not upsell unnecessary replacements,” Shortridge says.
Post-closing, Harley’s team walks new owners through their system, explaining how to get the most from it and scheduling maintenance that fits their lifestyle.
Beyond the Business
The Harley’s shop is dog-friendly, home to Kim’s mini-Australian Shepherd, Mosely—the (un)official ‘guard dog.’ At home, Matt and Lisa wrangle three dogs—Bogie the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Vinny the Australian Shepherd, and Quintin the Shetland Sheepdog—each with a unique personality.
Off the clock, the Shortridge family enjoys time outdoors and on the water. Rick and Matt compete in the Nebraska Walleye Association tournament series, and trips have taken them from Mexico to Alaska.
Lisa is also host of “Your Haunted Holiday”, a podcast focused on spooky travel destinations. “Last year we visited the Marshall House in Savannah, Georgia,” Matt laughs. “It was a lot of fun—even though I’m not really into spooky stuff myself.”
The Next 55 Years
As technology reshapes the HVAC industry, Harley’s remains committed to combining innovation with trusted service. Shortridge notes how electrification, smart controls, and data analytics are redefining comfort and efficiency in Nebraska homes.
“That means more heat pumps and geothermal where they fit, better indoor-air-quality solutions, and smarter maintenance that prevents surprises,” he explains.
Harley’s continues to lean confidently into the future—anchored by its family motto and trusted by Lincoln’s homeowners and Realtors alike.
“We’re focused on growth, communication, and technology that make life easier,” Shortridge concludes. “Our job is to keep homes comfortable—and help Realtors close with confidence.”
To schedule expert service or a repair, book online at harleysheatingandair.com or call/text 402-466-3408 today!