BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	3 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2022
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of Consolidation Watsco, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, “Watsco,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) was incorporated in Florida in 1956 and is the largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related parts and supplies (“HVAC/R”) in the HVAC/R distribution industry in North America. The accompanying March 31, 2022 interim condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, but we believe the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements included herein. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements include the accounts of Watsco, all of its wholly owned subsidiaries, the accounts of four joint ventures with Carrier Global Corporation, which we refer to as Carrier, the accounts of Carrier InterAmerica Corporation, of which we have an 80% controlling interest, and Carrier has a 20% non-controlling interest and our 38.1% investment in Russell Sigler, Inc., which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022. Sales of residential central air conditioners, heating equipment, and parts and supplies are seasonal. Furthermore, profitability can be impacted favorably or unfavorably based on weather patterns, particularly during the Summer and Winter selling seasons. Demand related to the residential central air conditioning replacement market is typically highest in the second and third quarters, and demand for heating equipment is usually highest in the first and fourth quarters. Demand related to the new construction sectors throughout most of the markets we serve tends to be fairly evenly distributed throughout the year and depends largely on housing completions and related weather and economic conditions.
Equity Method Investments	Equity Method Investments Investments in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are included in investment in unconsolidated entity in our condensed consolidated unaudited balance sheets. Under this method of accounting, our proportionate share of the net income or loss of the investee is included in other income in our condensed consolidated unaudited statements of income. The excess, if any, of the carrying amount of our investment over our ownership percentage in the underlying net assets of the investee is attributed to certain fair value adjustments with the remaining portion recognized as goodwill.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Significant estimates include valuation reserves for accounts receivable, net realizable value adjustments to inventories, income taxes, reserves related to loss contingencies and the valuation of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets. While we believe that these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from such estimates.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic	Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, it has impacted our operations and the operations of our customers and suppliers. Although we learned to navigate COVID-19 while maintaining our operations in all material respects, the pandemic continued to impact our business and operating results throughout 2020 and into 2021. However, as economic activity has been recovering and the effects of the pandemic have continued to lessen, the impact of the pandemic on our business has been more reflective of greater economic and marketplace dynamics, which include supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, rather than pandemic-related issues such as quarantines, location closures, mandated restrictions, employee illnesses, and travel restrictions. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations, and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, potential subsequent waves of COVID-19 infection or potential new variants, the effectiveness and adoption of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, the ultimate duration and scope of the pandemic, its impact on our employees, customers and suppliers, the broader implications of the macro-economic recovery on our business, and the extent to which normal economic and operating conditions are impacted. Therefore, we cannot reasonably estimate the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at this time.