Online AC parts and equipment supplier for installers
Supply ductless units, parts and fittings to local installers on trade terms, with orders online and next-day delivery.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A lean trade supplier that sells air conditioning and heat pump equipment, parts and installation supplies to HVAC contractors. You work from home or a small storage unit, take orders online or by phone, and ship from your own stock or direct from manufacturers.
Your first three steps
- Talk to local installers about what they struggle to get quickly, then pick a narrow range such as mini-splits and common parts
- Apply for trade accounts with a few manufacturers or wholesalers and ask about drop-ship and minimum order terms
- Set up a simple online order form or store, register your business, and offer trial accounts to five local contractors
Who pays
Independent HVAC installers, small mechanical contractors, property maintenance firms and service technicians in your region.
How it makes money
You buy at trade prices and sell at a markup, with extra income from delivery fees and bundled install kits. Margins per item are modest, so repeat contractor accounts matter most.
Skills that help
- Knowing HVAC equipment and parts
- Building trade relationships
- Organised stock and order handling
Watch out for
- Refrigerant sales and handling are regulated federally and by province, so check who you may sell to and what certification you need
- Commercial general liability and product liability insurance
- Manufacturer warranty and return terms, since you carry the risk on faulty units
- Demand is seasonal and peaks in warmer months, so plan cash flow for slower winters
- Register for GST/HST when required and check your provincial sales tax rules
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: online AC parts and equipment supplier for installers
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online AC parts supplier?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on your stock and set-up. Check commercial general liability and product liability insurance, plus manufacturer warranty and return terms.
How much can an AC parts supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on order volume and your trade customers. Demand is seasonal and peaks in warmer months, so plan cash flow for slower winters.
What rules should I check before selling AC equipment and parts?
Refrigerant sales and handling are regulated federally and by province, so check who you may sell to and what certification you need. Also check GST/HST registration and your provincial sales tax rules.
Other ways to run this business
Similar trades ideas
Marble and stone installer
Install marble and natural stone floors, backsplashes and shower walls for homeowners, renovators and builders.
- C$4k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local air filter supply for garages and buildings
Deliver replacement filters to garages, fleets and building managers on a regular schedule.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online fire alarm equipment reseller
Sell listed fire alarm panels, detectors and sounders to installers and facility managers from home, shipped direct from suppliers.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Order-based water heater supplier
Sell water heaters to local plumbers and heating contractors, ordered from suppliers and delivered to site, without a big stockroom.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Ice cream machine repair and servicing
Fix, clean and maintain soft-serve and gelato machines for cafes and ice cream shops on call-outs and contracts.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Office refresh: painting, flooring and light repairs
Give tired small offices a fresh look with paint, flooring and minor repairs, often done evenings or weekends.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about