Where HVAC companies buy
HVAC equipment usually comes through a distributor tied to the brands you install; refrigerant and parts come from the same counter.
| Supplier | Type | What their own site says | Pro program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstone Supply | Distributor | Wholesale distributor of HVACR equipment, parts and supplies, stocked at local branches. | Ask at the counter |
| Watsco | Distributor | A national network of HVAC distribution businesses with over 670 locations. | Ask at the counter |
| R.E. Michel | Distributor | HVAC equipment, refrigeration supplies, controls, test instruments and tools. | Ask at the counter |
| Marcone | Distributor | OEM appliance repair parts, equipment and supplies for appliance pros, now with HVAC and plumbing products too. | Ask at the counter |
From each supplier's own site on the date in the sources; call your branch before you plan around it.
Your counter list
The items HVAC companies buy every week, from the van stock on our tools list. Ask each supplier for a price on these first; they decide which account saves you the most.
| Item | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Capacitors and contactors in the common sizes | The parts that fail most in summer |
| Universal igniters and flame sensors | Most no-heat calls |
| Filters in the common sizes | Every tune-up and plan visit |
| Refrigerant in the types you service | Charging after a repair |
| Condensate pump, drain line cleaner and float switches | Water leak calls |
| Thermostat wire, wire nuts and a universal thermostat | Control problems |
For the first order, price the starter kit too: digital refrigerant gauges with temperature clamps; hvac multimeter with microamps; hvac clamp meter; vacuum pump and micron gauge; refrigerant recovery machine and recovery tank; leak detector; fin comb, coil cleaner and a pump sprayer; nut drivers, a service wrench and a hand tool set; step ladder; static pressure kit or manometer. Bigger purchases to price at a dealer or rental house: brazing torch kit with nitrogen regulator; combustion analyzer; press tool for copper refrigerant fittings; infrared thermometer or camera; flaring and swaging kit; condenser dolly and lifting straps.
Opening a trade account
Bring your business name, tax ID and license number, and a credit application if you want terms. The big-box programs are compared row by row on Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro. For the tools themselves, the HVAC tools list has prices read on the makers' own sites (Fluke, Little Giant).
When supplier prices change
Update your HVAC price list the same week a supplier raises prices. In Koira, that price list is what your estimates are built from.
Sources
- Johnstone Supply: About us, checked October 9, 2026
- Watsco: Home, checked October 9, 2026
- R.E. Michel: About, checked October 9, 2026
- Marcone: About, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.