Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
HVAC work runs on gauges, meters and a vacuum pump, and on an EPA Section 608 card for anyone who opens a refrigerant circuit. Buy for service and repair first; install gear can wait for the first install.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Digital refrigerant gauges with temperature clamps | Superheat and subcooling on every call | Varies by brand |
| HVAC multimeter with microamps | Flame sensors, capacitors and controls | $290 (Fluke 116 HVAC multimeter, Fluke) |
| HVAC clamp meter | Amp draw on compressors and motors | $408 (Fluke 902 FC HVAC clamp meter, Fluke) |
| Vacuum pump and micron gauge | A proper evacuation after any repair that opens the system | Varies by brand |
| Refrigerant recovery machine and recovery tank | Required when refrigerant comes out | Varies by brand |
| Leak detector | Finding the leak before you top off | Varies by brand |
| Fin comb, coil cleaner and a pump sprayer | Tune-ups and dirty coils | Varies by brand |
| Nut drivers, a service wrench and a hand tool set | Panels, valves and fasteners | Varies by brand |
| Step ladder | Attic units and returns | $229 (Little Giant King Kombo 6 ft fiberglass Pro bundle, Little Giant) |
| Static pressure kit or manometer | Airflow checks and duct problems | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most HVAC companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Brazing torch kit with nitrogen regulator | Line sets and coil repairs, flowing nitrogen | Varies by brand |
| Combustion analyzer | Furnace tune-ups and safety checks | Varies by brand |
| Press tool for copper refrigerant fittings | Faster repairs without a torch | Varies by brand |
| Infrared thermometer or camera | Duct leaks, hot spots and failing parts | Varies by brand |
| Flaring and swaging kit | Mini split line sets | Varies by brand |
| Condenser dolly and lifting straps | Moving outdoor units safely | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- 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.
What an HVAC kit costs
The 3 starter kit items we could price add up to $927 at the maker's listed price, out of 10 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 6 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
Gauges, the recovery machine and the van swing the total most. A shop that installs as well as repairs adds the brazing kit, lifting gear and a trailer later.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most HVAC companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our HVAC suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the HVAC services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Fluke: Fluke 116 HVAC multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
- Fluke: Fluke 902 FC HVAC clamp meter, checked October 9, 2026
- Little Giant: Little Giant King Kombo 6 ft fiberglass Pro bundle, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for HVAC installers, checked October 9, 2026
- EPA: Section 608 technician certification, checked October 8, 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.