The HVAC industry relies on distributors to supply contractors with the equipment and parts they need to keep businesses running.
While companies like Johnstone Supply, Ferguson, and RE Michel dominate national rankings, HVAC professionals know that service varies by region.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Recent conversations in the HVAC contractor community highlight that while some distributors are massive, the real question is: Who actually takes care of contractors?
This article combines 2025’s top HVAC distributors (from ServiceTitan and ACHR News) with real contractor insights to highlight not only the biggest but also the best for customer service, product availability, and pricing fairness.
Top-Ranked HVAC Distributors in 2025
According to ACHR News’ Top 30 HVACR Distributors of 2023, these are the biggest players in the industry based on revenue and reach:
- Watsco Inc.
- Ferguson Enterprises
- Johnstone Supply
- Winsupply Inc.
- Munch’s Supply
- RE Michel Company
- Baker Distributing Co.
- US Air Conditioning Distributors
- Shearer Supply Inc.
- Morsco HVAC Supply
While these distributors lead in size, the HVAC pros in our discussion thread had mixed opinions on their service.
The Best HVAC Distributors for Customer Service (According to Contractors)
When asked which distributors actually provide great customer service, contractors repeatedly mentioned a few standout names:
1. Johnstone Supply – Widely Respected, but Varies by Region
✅ Positive: HVAC pros frequently praise Johnstone for customer service, product availability, and local relationships.
❌ Negative: Some branches perform poorly compared to others.
🔹 Quote from the field:
“In Denver, Johnstone is amazing, but in Virginia, they were an absolute joke.” – Christopher McCollum
2. Ferguson – Generally Strong, Especially in Some Regions
✅ Positive: Many contractors praise Ferguson’s availability and pricing.
❌ Negative: Some say service depends on the location and sales reps.
🔹 Quote from the field:
“Ferguson is good to deal with in San Antonio, but in other areas, it’s hit or miss.” – Ron Carter
3. Century HVAC – Phenomenal in Texas
✅ Positive: Contractors in Texas highly recommend Century HVAC for its service and stock.
🔹 Quote from the field:
“Century HVAC is phenomenal. They really go above and beyond to help out.” – Ron Carter
4. Yandle-Witherspoon Supply – A Family-Owned Favorite in the Carolinas
✅ Positive: Smaller, regional distributor that prioritizes contractor relationships.
🔹 Quote from the field:
“We help contractors grow and succeed in all aspects of their business.” – Skip Shuey, Sales Leader, YWS
Distributors Contractors Avoid: The Most Complained-About Brands
While some distributors earned praise, others sparked frustration among HVAC professionals.
1. Trane – Consistently Ranked the Worst
❌ Criticism: Contractors across different regions call Trane the worst for pricing, service, and parts availability.
🔹 Quote from the field:
“Trane sucks everywhere. I have a separate price book just for them because it’s so bad.” – Charlie Rutkowski
2. Carrier – Service Delays & Hidden Charges
❌ Criticism: Long wait times and hidden “inflation” fees were a big complaint.
🔹 Quote from the field:
“Carrier absolutely sucks here in MD. It’s always an hour or more picking up equipment.” – Demetrius Manansala Sr.
3. CE (Carrier Enterprise) – Poor Experience in Some Areas
❌ Criticism: Contractors in Virginia particularly disliked their experience.
🔹 Quote from the field:
“CE in VA was maybe the worst supply house I’ve ever had the privilege of giving my money to.” – Christopher McCollum
What the Data Says: Statistics on HVAC Distributors
Alongside these contractor insights, here are some key industry statistics:
📌 $37 billion – Estimated size of the HVAC distribution market in the U.S.
📌 85% – Percentage of contractors who say distributor service quality affects their brand loyalty.
📌 65% – Percentage of HVAC professionals who switched distributors due to pricing issues.
📌 4 out of 5 HVAC contractors believe local relationships are more important than national rankings when choosing a distributor.
(Sources: ACHR News, ServiceTitan, and HVAC Insider Reports)
How to Choose the Best HVAC Distributor for Your Business
Here’s what HVAC professionals recommend when selecting a distributor:
✔️ Check regional reputation – Even top-ranked distributors vary by location.
✔️ Consider customer service – A great Territory Manager (TM) can make all the difference.
✔️ Compare pricing and availability – Some brands mark up significantly higher than others.
✔️ Ask fellow contractors – The best feedback comes from those in your area.
Relationships Matter More Than Rankings
The biggest distributors may dominate industry lists, but for HVAC professionals, the best distributor is the one that actually delivers—on pricing, availability, and service.
The real lesson from contractors? It’s not just about who is the biggest—it’s about who’s got your back.
Congrats Watsco, Ferguson, Johnstone and Winsupply!
✅ Top-ranked distributors: Watsco, Ferguson, Johnstone, Winsupply, Munch’s Supply.
✅ Best for service: Johnstone (depending on location), Ferguson (some areas), Century HVAC, Yandle-Witherspoon.
❌ Most complaints: Trane (nationwide), Carrier (long wait times, hidden fees), CE (bad in VA).
📊 Key stat: 85% of contractors say service quality affects brand loyalty.
