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In this episode of the 8-Figure HVAC Brands Podcast, Netrocket founder Daniel Dramshev visits Coolman HVAC Supply in Santa Clara, California. Alex Coolman, the company’s director of operations, gives him a tour of the showroom, the 16,000 sq ft warehouse, and the training room, and explains how a supply house focused on Cooper & Hunter mini-splits supports contractors on the West Coast.
About the guest
| Name | Alex Coolman |
| Role | Director of Operations, Coolman HVAC Supply |
| Location | Santa Clara, California |
| Focus | Cooper & Hunter ductless and ducted mini-split systems |
A showroom for contractors and their customers
The tour starts in the showroom, which displays the full Cooper & Hunter lineup: standard and Peak air handlers, hyper heat outdoor units, multi-zone systems, slim ducts, one-way and four-way cassettes, and wall mounts from entry level to top of the line.
The showroom is built for homeowners as much as for contractors. When a customer is switching from central heat and air to a mini-split system, they often don’t know what it will look like. Contractors can send them to Coolman to see and touch the equipment before they buy.
Inside the 16,000 sq ft warehouse
Coolman keeps over $2.5 million of equipment inventory in stock. The goal is to give contractors the best value and the widest availability, so every common system type is ready to go: wall mounts, slim ducts, cassettes, air handlers, single-zone and multi-zone systems, plus light commercial equipment like PTAC units for hotels.
Contractors can set up an account on the website, buy online, and pick up locally. Shipping is free anywhere on the West Coast.
R-410A, R-454B, and fast availability
The warehouse still has R-410A equipment at good prices, but Alex notes that once it’s sold out, they can’t legally bring more in. The rest of the warehouse is stocked with R-454B equipment, from condensers to cassettes and multi-position air handlers.
This is Coolman’s first location, and the team is looking to expand, possibly to Sacramento next. If something isn’t in stock, they can get it from their distributor in Texas or Florida, usually in two to three days.
Built for mini-split installers
According to Alex, other distributors carry many brands, parts, and refrigeration products. Coolman focuses only on what a mini-split installer needs: equipment, line sets, accessories, and Navac tools. Cooper & Hunter already has a strong presence on the East Coast and in the South, and Coolman is laying the groundwork for the brand on the West Coast.
“Come on in, get it, pick it up, and get out the door.“
The supply house is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most contractors prefer pickup, because many don’t have their own shop, but delivery to job sites is free.
Customer service in several languages
The team speaks English, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Unlike supply houses that only want to deal with contractors, Coolman welcomes homeowners too. Their staff explains the benefits of the equipment to the end customer, which helps contractors close jobs.
“We’re putting a retail face forward.“
Training for contractors and installers
Coolman runs both technical and sales trainings, at the warehouse or on job sites. The training room holds up to 20 people. Sessions usually last two to three hours, plus breaks, every three to six months. Contractors can take units apart, see where the sensors are, and learn the cleaning and maintenance features. Sales trainings cover how to market and upsell the equipment to homeowners.
Why mini-splits make sense on the West Coast
Most West Coast homeowners are used to central air, so mini-splits are still new to many of them. Alex explains the main benefit: each zone has its own thermostat, so you can heat or cool only the rooms you use. With California’s high gas and electricity prices, shutting off unused zones at night saves a lot compared to running a central system for the whole house.
Wall mounts, cassettes, and flush mount options
For customers who don’t like the look of a unit on the wall, there are flush mount options. A four-way cassette blows air in four directions from the center of the room. A one-way cassette fits between ceiling joists and works well next to a wall. Both sit flush with the ceiling and feel closer to a traditional ducted system.
Alex also shares a tip most contractors skip: matte covers and outdoor units can be painted to match the house, as long as you don’t cover the warranty labels. One homeowner in Lake Tahoe painted an outdoor unit to match the house to meet HOA requirements. For darker walls, the black Olivia Midnight wall mount blends in better than a white unit.
Cooper & Hunter: warranty, features, and support
Homeowners mostly care about quality, price, and warranty. Standard Cooper & Hunter warranties are five or seven years, but customers who work with Coolman and certified installers get a 10-year warranty. Cooper & Hunter’s R-454B multi-zone outdoor units support up to six indoor heads, while most competitors stop at five.
Contractors also get US-based technical support from people with field experience, available from 6:30 a.m. Eastern to 5 p.m. Pacific.
Wrapping up
Alex invites contractors and homeowners to stop by, see the equipment, and talk to the team. For more behind-the-scenes HVAC tours, watch our visit to Fuse Service, also in Santa Clara. And if you want more homeowners calling you about mini-split installs, see how Netrocket handles HVAC SEO and Google Maps marketing.
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