Starting an HVAC business isn’t about having the fanciest logo or the newest truck. It’s about doing the right things in the right order—and not blowing your budget or reputation before your first install is even finished.
Goodman 68,240 BTU 20 kW Electric Furnace with 2,000 CFM Airflow - MBVK20DP1X00, HKTAD201
I’ve helped enough first-timers get off the ground to know this: most start-ups don’t fail because of skill—they fail because of sequence.
This playbook lays out a 90-day, no-fluff roadmap to go from zero to your first real HVAC install with confidence, compliance, and profit.
🧭 Phase 1 (Days 1–30): Build the Foundation Before You Touch a Tool
This phase isn’t glamorous—but it’s what keeps you legal, insured, and taken seriously.
📋 Step 1: Get Legal, Licensed, and Insurable
Before you quote a single job:
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Register your business (LLC is common for HVAC start-ups)
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Secure required state or local HVAC licensing
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Obtain general liability insurance and, if applicable, workers’ comp
Skipping this step doesn’t save money—it multiplies risk.
One accident without coverage can end your business before it starts.
🔌 Step 2: Decide What You’ll Install (and What You Won’t)
Early on, focus beats flexibility.
Ask yourself:
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Residential only or light commercial?
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Electric systems, gas systems, or both?
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New installs, replacements, or service calls?
Many start-ups do well beginning with electric furnaces and straight-cool systems because they:
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Require fewer combustion certifications
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Have predictable installs
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Reduce liability for first jobs
A solid example of a reliable, start-up-friendly system is a 20 kW electric furnace paired with proper airflow.
🧰 Step 3: Buy Only the Tools You Actually Need
You don’t need a warehouse full of gear on Day 1.
Your non-negotiables:
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Multimeter
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Torque wrench
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Basic hand tools
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Vacuum pump (if doing refrigerant work)
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PPE (gloves, eye protection)
⚙️ Phase 2 (Days 31–60): Practice the Install Before You Sell It
This is where most new HVAC businesses rush—and regret it.
🧪 Step 4: Dry-Run a Full Installation
Before your first customer install, you should be able to:
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Wire an electric furnace cleanly
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Verify airflow (CFM matching heat kit size)
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Check breakers, disconnects, and grounding
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Confirm thermostat staging works correctly
Electric furnaces are unforgiving of sloppy startup:
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Loose lugs cause heat damage
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Incorrect airflow trips limits
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Poor sequencing shortens heat strip life
If you can’t explain why each step matters, you’re not ready yet.
📐 Step 5: Learn Load Basics (Without Overcomplicating It)
You don’t need to be a Manual J wizard—but you do need to avoid gross oversizing.
Basic rules:
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Square footage matters
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Insulation matters more
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Climate matters most
Oversizing an electric furnace doesn’t just waste energy—it causes:
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Short cycling
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Unhappy customers
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Callbacks you can’t afford early on
ASHRAE provides solid fundamentals if you want to deepen your understanding:
👉 https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources
📸 Step 6: Document Everything Like a Pro
Start acting like a real company before customers see you.
Document:
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Panel connections
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Heat kit wiring
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Air handler setup
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Final commissioning readings
These photos:
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Protect you from disputes
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Build marketing content
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Prove professionalism
💰 Phase 3 (Days 61–90): Sell, Install, and Get Paid the Right Way
Now you’re ready to take on real work.
🧾 Step 7: Price for Survival, Not Hope
Your first installs must cover:
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Equipment
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Consumables
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Insurance
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Your time
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A buffer for mistakes
New installers underprice out of fear. That fear creates:
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Rushed work
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Missed steps
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Burnout
Your price should let you slow down and do it right.
🏠 Step 8: Choose the Right First Customer
Your first install should not be:
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A rushed emergency
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A complicated retrofit
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A customer shopping only on price
Best first jobs:
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Straight replacement
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Clear electrical access
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Realistic timelines
The goal isn’t speed—it’s a clean, calm, textbook install.
🔥 Step 9: Follow a Startup Commissioning Checklist
Before you leave the job:
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Verify voltage under load
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Confirm airflow across heat strips
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Check breaker sizing
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Test thermostat staging
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Listen for abnormal airflow or vibration
DOE efficiency guidance reinforces why startup commissioning matters:
👉 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver
📞 Step 10: Schedule the Follow-Up Before You Leave
Smart start-ups schedule a 7–14 day check-in.
Why?
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Small issues surface early
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Customers feel supported
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Reviews come easier
Goodman provides clear documentation you can reference for follow-ups:
👉 https://www.goodmanmfg.com/resources
🚫 Common Start-Up Mistakes That Kill Momentum
❌ Rushing the First Install
Speed doesn’t build trust—precision does.
❌ Skipping Documentation
If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.
❌ Treating Startup as “Plug and Play”
Electric heat systems demand respect at startup.
🧠 Mike’s Final Word: Why 90 Days Matters
Ninety days is enough time to:
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Learn the process
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Build confidence
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Avoid rookie disasters
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Complete your first install without panic
HVAC start-ups don’t fail because the work is too hard.
They fail because the foundation is rushed.
Do it in order. Do it clean. Do it once.
