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Cinnamon Energy Systems vs Cold Craft
Santa Clara HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
This comparison hinges on project type: Cinnamon specializes in solar and battery systems, while Cold Craft focuses exclusively on traditional HVAC with 34 years of heating and cooling expertise.
| Cinnamon Energy Systems | Cold Craft | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 34 years |
| License # | 976065 | 631837 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Los Gatos, CA | Los Gatos, CA |
| Website | www.cinnamon.energy | coldcraft.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Cinnamon Energy Systems
Customers consistently praise Cinnamon's smooth handling of the multi-phase solar installation process, from detailed system design through complex permitting and utility coordination.
Cold Craft
Cold Craft's customers highlight diagnostic expertise and the ability to service uncommon heating systems that other contractors couldn't repair, along with thorough technical explanations.
Key Takeaway: Cinnamon's feedback centers on managing comprehensive solar project workflows, while Cold Craft's reviews emphasize troubleshooting expertise for complex HVAC problems, reflecting their fundamentally different specializations.
Customer Reviews
Cinnamon Energy Systems
I started thinking about solar last year, but it was not until this year when I became serious. I talked to as many as 6 companies who serve San Jose area, and in the end, I decided to go with Cinnamo...
Cinnamon is a highly rated company and I was overall happy with the work. Sometimes communication was tricky but Consultant Michael Croft helped me navigate the process when clarification and service ...
We are quite happy with our solar power system installed by Cinnamon Energy Systems. We are fortunate enough to have south and west facing roofs and were able to work with them to install a system of...
Cold Craft
Fernando and his team helped us pick and install a new HVAC system for our apartment. In every interaction from introductory visit through installation and city inspection, we appreciated their thorou...
I have been working with Cold Craft for many years now and I trust them to take care of my clients who have very high expectations. The staff is responsive, courteous, knowledgeable and effective. T...
Just had a part on my ac replaced. Eli was phenomenal and after inspecting the ac knew exactly what was wrong with it. He fixed it perfectly and in little time. He was very knowledgeable and was even ...
Consider Cinnamon Energy Systems if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, adding battery backup like Tesla Powerwall, or pursuing comprehensive home electrification projects that require utility coordination and specialized permitting expertise.
- ✓ You need a heat pump HVAC system specifically as part of transitioning away from gas heating and want a contractor experienced in the electrical panel upgrades and system integration these projects often require.
- ✓ You value working with a contractor who handles the entire solar process from engineering and design through final inspection, eliminating the need to coordinate between multiple specialists.
- ✓ Your project involves panel removal for roof replacement or upgrading existing solar equipment, where experience with local permitting requirements provides tangible value.
Consider Cold Craft if...
- ✓ Your project is purely heating and cooling without any solar or battery component, and you want a contractor whose entire 34-year focus has been HVAC systems rather than electrification projects.
- ✓ You have an older, uncommon, or specialized heating system that requires diagnostic expertise, as reviews specifically mention Cold Craft's ability to repair configurations other contractors couldn't address.
- ✓ You need wine cellar cooling or other specialized temperature control applications where Cold Craft has documented project experience.
- ✓ You're managing rental properties or multiple units and want a contractor with decades of experience across various property types and service scenarios.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering Cinnamon for heat pump installation without solar: Ask about their crew's specific experience with standalone HVAC projects and how their approach differs from solar-integrated installations.
- → If considering Cold Craft: Ask whether they have experience with heat pump systems if you're considering electrification, as this technology differs from traditional HVAC.
- → For either company: Request references from projects matching your specific scope, particularly if your needs fall outside their primary specialty area.
- → Ask about warranty coverage and which company will handle service calls, especially important given the specialized nature of each contractor's focus.
The Bottom Line
Choose the contractor whose specialization matches your project type. If you're installing solar panels, adding battery storage, or pursuing comprehensive home electrification, Cinnamon Energy Systems is built for this work with proven expertise managing the permitting, utility coordination, and system integration these projects demand. If your project is purely heating and cooling without renewable energy components, Cold Craft's 34 years focused exclusively on HVAC systems provides substantially more experience diagnosing problems and servicing traditional climate control equipment. Both companies are properly licensed and insured, so this decision is straightforward: solar and electrification projects go to Cinnamon, traditional HVAC work goes to Cold Craft.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cinnamon offers heat pump HVAC systems, primarily as part of home electrification projects that complement solar installations. While they're capable of these installations, their 13-year focus is on renewable energy systems rather than pure HVAC work. If your project is only heating and cooling without electrification goals, Cold Craft's 34 years of dedicated HVAC experience provides substantially deeper expertise in traditional climate control systems.
Cold Craft is a traditional HVAC contractor focused on conventional heating and cooling systems over 34 years. Their expertise centers on furnaces, air conditioners, and specialized applications like wine cellar cooling. If you're pursuing heat pumps specifically as part of a broader electrification strategy with solar and batteries, Cinnamon's experience integrating these systems with electrical panel upgrades and renewable energy components is more directly aligned with that project type.
Cold Craft's 34 years versus Cinnamon's 13 years matters most in their respective specialties. Cold Craft's three decades focused exclusively on HVAC means deeper knowledge diagnosing complex heating issues and servicing uncommon system types. Cinnamon's 13 years focused on solar means extensive permitting relationships and experience navigating utility interconnection challenges. The experience advantage depends on which specialty matches your project.
The answer depends on your broader goals. If the heat pump is part of eliminating gas appliances and integrating with solar panels or battery storage, Cinnamon's electrification expertise and experience with the necessary electrical upgrades is the better fit. If you're simply replacing a furnace with a heat pump for efficiency but not pursuing renewable energy, ask both companies about their specific heat pump experience and request references for standalone installations to make an informed comparison.
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See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Santa Clara.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 12, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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