List of hvac tools

For residential furnace and water heater installs, sometimes a pro needs a good pipe wrench, and Rigid and Milwaukee are the go-to brands. I certainly recommend it to other Pros. Milwaukee 18 in. Aluminum Pipe Wrench. Don't forget about the basics:. Links to the highest-rated items on Amazon.

Allen wrench set. Crescent adjustable wrench 8 inch. Tape Measure. Torpedo level. We realize that the wide array of furnaces, air conditioners, and other HVAC equipment you service requires a ton of specialty tools like power and temperature testers, leak detectors, and more. Here are ten that come highly recommended. It can measure temperatures from 40 to over degrees celsius. The Fluke V is a versatile multimeter that takes temperature readings without needing a separate thermometer.

According to Matt, where the Fluke stops just before milliamps, requiring you to use two different flukes, the Fluke 87 offers both microamps and milliamps. Watch his full review. Fluke V Digital Multimeter. Midwest makes offset and straight hand seamers. Sheet metal worker Caio prefers the 3-inch offset seamers which offer more leverage.

Watch the full review. Many HVAC pros have concerns about a battery-powered vacuum pump, but for those that have tried the Navac 2cfm, it has consistently outperformed their expectations.

Recommended by Josna, Electronics Hub. It also comes with a 2-year warranty. Use a crimper to close the open end of a rounded pipe. The teeth on the crimper are what allow for the open end to be closed. You will then insert the newly closed end into the open end of a separate pipe to put them together. Air conditioning systems use copper tubing. Tubing cutters are specifically designed so you can cut this tubing efficiently.

How you use this tool is by clamping a cutting wheel around the tube and spinning it until you cut it completely. Expect to tighten the clamp as you rotate the tube. Shears are devices that are designed to cut long straight lines into sheets of metal. You need this tool for cutting long pieces. Sometimes, metal shears will be too large for the cuts you want to make. Use tin snips, which are extra-sharp scissors, for smaller cuts. HVAC units require three different types of tin snips. Be sure to have all of the following snips in your kit:.

Lefts: Left snips cut to the left. Most left snips have red handles. Rights: In contrast to lefts, rights cut to the right. These are the normal cutting devices.

Most rights have green handles. Straights: Straights, as you probably figured, cut straight. They are sometimes called Bulldogs because they can cut multiple sheets of metal at one time. Use these to make cuts too shorts for metal shears. Most straights are orange, but not always. Have side cutter pliers in your kit so you can easily do so. Whenever you rewire HVAC systems, you will need to strip the wires. Have a reliable pair of wire strippers so you can easily move on to your rewiring.

Though HVAC technicians need fewer power tools than other workers, there are still a few power tools that you should consider adding. These tools will make your work so much easier. When you are running new wires, you need to drill tiny holes for them.

Have a cordless drill so you can do this easily and effectively. Just get a cordless drill and some batteries, and you are good to go anywhere. HVAC technicians have to saw through a variety of things every time they are on the job. Purchase a Sawzall so you can saw through any material with only one tool. This may be more expensive upfront, but it will easily pay for itself as it saves you time and effort on the job. If you have even minimal experience as an HVAC technician, you know that one of the most annoying parts of the job is constantly working in places far away from an electrical outlet.

This is a problem because many of your tools require some cord. Invest in a heavy-duty extension cord, so you always have access to corded power. There are some tools that just about any worker needs, including HVAC workers. Though you probably already have these tools in your garage, ensure you have them in your HVAC kit, too.

They come in handy. Whenever you install an HVAC unit, get it level by using a level. An unlevel unit can have larger implications later on. Similar to pliers, having a set of wrenches is ideal. You will want to have a full set of crescent wrenches and pipe wrenches. Pipe wrenches can be helpful when handling gas lines or plumbing pipes connections that technicians may encounter during some repairs or installations.

This is another essential tool that technicians need in their toolbox. A hammer is essential to have for any job, regardless of whether you are a technician. This a tool everyone needs. While you may think you need small hammer, be sure to get a sturdy, large, hefty hammer.

You will need it to successfully complete your projects. Many technicians recommend the Stanley hammer, which has the easily-recognizable yellow handy.

This hammer is versatile and can be used in my different projects. More importantly, it is easy to find if you place it somewhere. HVAC technicians will always encounter different kinds of wires, so it is a good idea to invest in a pair of quality wire strippers. An ideal wire stripper will allow for a smooth interaction and allow the wire to be stripped within a matter of seconds. It should not take more than one attempt to strip a wire. If it takes you more than one attempt to strip a wire, then you need a better pair of wire strippers.

HVAC technicians often work in less than desirable spaces. You may find yourself in a crawlspace, a poorly-lit basement, an attic, or any number of cramped and dark spaces where you may or may not fit. Flashlights or headlamps are crucial in these moments to get the job done. You cannot do proper and technical work without being able to see. A headlamp may be more function because it frees both of your hands to hold other equipment.

There are even flashlights now that can be attached to your belt. This is another option if you want the hands-free approach without having a light on you head. HVAC technicians may be required to cut or size metal tubing or metal wires.

Cutters are necessary in these moments in order to complete the job. Unlike wrenches, most technicians begin small in their collection of cutters. As you become more experienced and work on a variety of jobs, you can begin to build a toolkit that houses a variety of cutters that suit any occasion.

However, you may find that you only need to get certain size cutters when the occasion or project arises. The multi-meter is an absolute necessity. No technicians should be working in the field or going to a project site without a multi-meter at the ready. The best meters are true RMS meters, which take the square of the instantaneous value of the input voltage or also the current, and it then averages this number over time. A true RMS is more likely to give you accurate results or results closest to accurate.

Other meters are less reliable. Be sure that you have a temperature clamp for your meter. Most meters come with the temperature clamp, but some may not. HVAC technicians are not strangers to drilling. Servicing HVAC or installing new air conditioning or heating systems for residential and commercial clients requires a skilled workforce with access to the right HVAC tools and equipment to get the job done.

Some companies require HVAC techs to bring a few of their own tools to the job, while others provide the equipment needed to complete larger-ticket items. Click here to get a demo. Keep a range of screwdrivers, a basic and necessary HVAC tool, in your toolbox to be prepared for any size screw. We suggest a multi-purpose screwdriver with at least a Phillips-head bit and a flathead bit in sizes No. However, a full range of screwdriver bit sizes often comes in handy. Be ready to handle most sizes of wires, bolts and pipes with a full set of pliers.

Get small, medium, large, and needle-nose pliers. We also suggest investing in an insulated set of pliers for durability and longevity. HVAC software automates your business for better efficiency and communications.

Online scheduling, dispatching, estimating and invoicing takes the pain out of running your HVAC business. Every HVAC technician needs a standard-size hammer for various uses on the job. We suggest a lightweight hammer with an easy grip and fiberglass construction for convenience and durability.

HVAC service techs always need a reliable flashlight to accurately assess the heating or air conditioning situation. Any complete HVAC tools list includes a wide range of wrenches, from fixed and adjusted to crescent and pipe wrenches. Keep small, medium and large wrenches in your HVAC toolbox to handle any job, as well as pipe wrenches to loosen plumbing pipe connections. Metal and tubing cutters are useful HVAC tools to cut through anything on the job.

We suggest starting with a smaller set in the beginning of your HVAC career, such as quarter-inch or half-inch cutters, but add a wider set of cutters as you progress to handling a wider scope of projects. A cordless, battery-powered drill gives your service techs more versatility for better efficiency. Keep a charging battery in your toolbox so your techs never run out of drill power while on the job site.

We recommend a drill with at least 24 volts and various bits. When it comes to air conditioning tools, refrigeration gauges are a must-have for your service techs. Multiple sets of gauges may be needed, as your career progresses. HVAC techs need extension cords to plug in electric tools when working onsite.