We sell furnaces and air conditioners online, so you’d expect us to say yes. The honest answer is that it works well for a lot of people and it’s the wrong move for some. It mostly comes down to whether you have an installer lined up and whether you’re comfortable handling a few things a contractor would normally handle for you.
Here’s the straight version.
Why people buy equipment online
- You see the price. When a contractor quotes a full replacement, the equipment and labor usually come as one number. Buying the equipment yourself separates the two, so you know what you’re paying for each.
- You pick the equipment. You choose the brand, efficiency and features instead of taking whatever the installer stocks.
- You can compare. Spec sheets, ratings and matched combinations are all right there.
- Payment options. You can pay up front or use financing through Affirm or PayPal, subject to approval. More on our financing page.
The downsides, honestly
- Not every contractor will install it. Some won’t touch equipment they didn’t supply. Others will, but charge more for labor since they’re not making anything on the equipment.
- Warranty questions come to you. If a part fails under warranty, your installer may charge labor to swap it, and you’ll be the one coordinating with us and the manufacturer.
- Mistakes are on the buyer. Order the wrong size, the wrong airflow direction or a unit not allowed in your region, and fixing it costs time and money.
- Freight takes some effort. Big equipment comes on a truck. Someone has to be there, inspect it and sign.
- Returns aren’t free. Equipment is heavy and expensive to ship back. Our return terms are below.
None of these are dealbreakers. You just want to go in knowing them.
Step one: call installers before you order
We don’t install anything. You need a licensed HVAC contractor, and that’s not optional.
The equipment has to be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local codes for the warranty to hold. Many areas require a permit. Anyone handling refrigerant has to hold EPA Section 608 certification. A gas furnace involves gas piping, venting and combustion checks. This is not a weekend project.
So before you spend anything:
- Call two or three licensed contractors in your area.
- Tell them up front that you’ll be supplying the equipment.
- Ask what they charge to install customer-supplied equipment, and what’s included (permit, line set, pad, thermostat, haul-away of the old unit).
- Ask if they’ll do a load calculation to confirm sizing.
- Ask how they handle warranty labor on equipment they didn’t sell.
Once you have an installer who says yes, then order. If you’re a contractor reading this, call us about trade pricing and terms.
Make sure it matches your house
Most of the trouble with online HVAC purchases comes from buying the wrong thing. Before you order, confirm:
- Size. Tons for the AC or heat pump, BTU input for the furnace. Don’t just copy the old unit if the house has changed.
- Airflow direction. Upflow, downflow or horizontal, matching how your current furnace or air handler sits.
- Cabinet width. The furnace and coil should match each other and fit the space.
- Fuel type. Natural gas or propane. Many furnaces need a conversion kit for propane.
- Your DOE region. Some air conditioners can only be installed in Northern states. Our checkout blocks split-system equipment that can’t be installed where you’re shipping it.
- A matched system. The outdoor unit and indoor coil need to use the same refrigerant, and the efficiency rating depends on the exact pairing.
The easiest way to get this right is to buy a matched system. Our system selector walks you through it one question at a time. Our guides on reading furnace and AC model numbers help you figure out what you have now.
Or send us a photo of your data plates. We’d much rather answer a question before you order than sort out a return after.
When the truck shows up
Small parts ship by parcel. Condensers, furnaces, package units and full systems ship by LTL freight truck. Shipping is free on orders over $99.
The freight carrier calls to schedule delivery, and someone has to be there to sign. Delivery estimates are just that, estimates.
This part is important. Inspect every carton before you sign.
- Count the pieces against the bill of lading.
- Look at every side of every box for crushed corners, punctures or tip damage.
- If anything is off, write it on the delivery receipt before signing. Be specific: “damaged carton,” “2 of 3 pieces received.”
- Take photos.
- Call us at (877) 843-4822 or email Info@BuyComfortDirect.com right away so we can open a claim with the carrier.
Signing a clean receipt and finding damage later makes a claim much harder. Our delivery checklist is worth printing out.
Returns, so you know before you buy
- Request a return within 30 days of delivery.
- Items have to be new, unused, uninstalled and in the original unopened packaging.
- Opened or installed equipment, special-order items and Clearance/Overstock items can’t be returned.
- You need a Return Authorization (RA) number first. We review requests in 1 to 2 business days.
- There’s a 15% restocking fee. You pay return shipping by UPS or FedEx (not USPS), and freight items go back by freight.
- Original shipping isn’t refundable. On free-shipping orders, what we paid to ship it is deducted.
- Refunds go to the original payment method after we inspect the return.
The full policy is on our shipping and returns page. The short version: keep boxes sealed until your installer is ready, and confirm everything matches before you open it.
After the install
Register your warranty. Many manufacturers require online registration after installation to get the full warranty, and Goodman requires it within 60 days of installation. Keep your order number and the model and serial numbers somewhere you can find them.
So, should you?
If you have a licensed installer who’s on board, you know (or can find out) what your house needs, and you can be home for a freight delivery, buying online can work very well.
If you’d rather have one company handle everything from the quote to the warranty calls, a full-service contractor is the better fit, and that’s fine.
Common questions
Can I install a furnace or air conditioner myself?
We don’t recommend it, and it can void the warranty. Manufacturers require installation by a licensed contractor following their instructions and local codes. Refrigerant work requires EPA Section 608 certification, and gas work involves venting and combustion safety.
Will a contractor install equipment I bought online?
Many will, some won’t. Call a few licensed contractors before you order, tell them you’re supplying the equipment, and get their install price in writing.
What if my equipment arrives damaged?
Note the damage on the delivery receipt before you sign, take photos, and call (877) 843-4822 or email Info@BuyComfortDirect.com right away so we can open a carrier claim.
Can I return a furnace if I ordered the wrong one?
If it’s new, uninstalled and still in the unopened box, you can request a return within 30 days of delivery. A Return Authorization number is required, there’s a 15% restocking fee, and you pay return freight. Special-order and Clearance/Overstock items can’t be returned.
Questions before you order? Call (877) 843-4822 and you’ll reach our team in Winder, or reach us through our contact page.