This episode of Heat Pumped Podcast pulls back the curtain on HVAC distribution with RJ Cilley, CEO of Voomi Supply. We dig into how HVAC parts actually move from manufacturers to contractors, why finding the right part is often harder than it should be, and how distribution bottlenecks quietly shape what technologies—like heat pumps—can scale in different parts of the country.

RJ shares his perspective coming from a nontraditional HVAC background, having spent his career building e-commerce businesses in other industries. We talk about what surprised him most when he entered HVAC, why relationships still matter deeply in a digital world, and how the “long tail” of millions of parts creates real friction for contractors and homeowners alike.

Along the way, we explore how e-commerce fits into a relationship-driven industry—not as a replacement for the local supply house, but as a complement that can surface hard-to-find inventory, aggregate nationwide supply, and reduce downtime when parts aren’t stocked locally.

🔧 The HVAC parts problem: Why no supply house can stock everything—and why obsolete parts still matter
📦 Distribution basics: How OEMs, distributors, and contractors fit together (and where friction shows up)
🌎 Heat pumps & availability: How uneven stocking and awareness can slow adoption in certain regions
☎️ Relationships vs. e-commerce: Why phone calls, trust, and human support aren’t going away anytime soon
📈 What’s changing: How better data, aggregation, and digital tools could reduce jobsite delays over time

If you’re a contractor, industry professional, or homeowner curious about why getting HVAC parts can feel so difficult—and how those challenges affect heat pump adoption—this episode offers a grounded look at the supply-side realities shaping the industry.