HVAC technicians spend a surprising amount of time just looking for parts. Here is how to streamline your purchasing and save money.
Wholesale vs Retail
Wholesale distributors like Johnstone Supply and Winsupply offer trade pricing, but you need an account. Retail sites like Amazon and eBay sometimes beat wholesale on common items like capacitors and contactors.
Top HVAC Parts Suppliers Online
- **Johnstone Supply** — Best for trade accounts with competitive pricing
- **SupplyHouse** — Great for plumbing crossover parts, fast shipping
- **Ferguson** — Huge catalog, reliable stock levels
- **HVACPartsShop** — Specializes in OEM parts
- **Grainger** — Premium pricing but same-day availability in many areas
Most Commonly Replaced Parts
- **Capacitors** — Dual run capacitors fail frequently in summer. Keep common sizes on your van.
- **Contactors** — A $12 part that causes the majority of no-cool calls.
- **Blower motors** — ECM vs PSC matters. Always verify before ordering.
- **Control boards** — Match the exact board number, not just the unit model.
- **Flame sensors** — Often just need cleaning, but keep a universal spare handy.
Price Comparison Tips
The same Trane capacitor can cost $8 on Amazon or $35 from an OEM distributor. Use PartHawk to compare instantly across all suppliers.