Tools for Getting Started in Your HVAC Career (WithPictures)

Tools of the HVAC Trade

A career in the HVAC industry requires the use of many tools. If you're just getting started in theheating and air conditioning trade, it can seem overwhelming to decide what is needed right away. Itcan also be quite costly. While the more expensive machinery will be supplied by your employer, youwill be required to purchase many tools on your own.

This hub will provide you a list of tools that you will need to begin your HVAC career, along withphotos and a brief explanation of their use. I will also give you various names for these tools, so thatwhen your partner says, "Hey rookie, give me those tongs," you won't be looking for a salad utensil.

Based on my 15 years in HVAC, I'd like to share one last bit of advice. As you go about purchasingyour "money-makers," it's best to purchase tools that are durable and will last a long time. This canmean paying a bit more, but it's worth it, to avoid the expense of buying the same tool more thanonce, and the inconvenience caused by cheap tools breaking on the job.

Author's Qualifications

Cre8tor has 15 years of experience in HVAC Installation and Service, an EPA certification, andcoursework in electrical theory, thermodynamics, and refrigeration.

Three Lists Of Tools: General Purpose, Sheet-Metal Work, Air-Conditioning Work

I've got three lists of tools you might want to become familiar with: one for broad use in many typesof HVAC work, one for work with sheet metal, and one for work with air conditioning systems.

I. General Tools Used In HVAC

We'll start out with common tools widely used in HVAC, tools not specific to any particular task.

1. Battery-Powered Drill

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18-volt battery operated drill with two batteries, a charger, and commonly used bits.

All these tools will become your friends, but none of them is as essential in HVAC as the batteryoperated drill. I suggest 18 volts minimum, with two batteries and a charger. Do not spare expensehere; a good drill will more than pay for itself over time. The drill will often come with a Phillips bit,but you'll need to purchase a 1/4" hex bit as well, as this is the most common type of screw thatyou'll be using in HVAC.

2. Electrical Testers

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Multi-meter (left), electrical sensor (right)

In HVAC, you will have to work around live electrical power, so some type of electrical tester is amust. The picture shows one tester that can perform multiple functions (multi-meter), while theother will only let you know where electricity is present.

3. The Sawzall

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Electrically powered sawzall with wood and metal blades. (A battery operated type can come inhandy sometimes.)

No. I didn't spell it wrong. A sawzall does exactly that. It saws just about anything depending onwhat blade you put into it. This also is a tool where I wouldn't suggest sparing expense. Findyourself a durable sawzall that will last. Blades will likely be supplied by your employer. I like aquick-release blade installation, but there are many styles available.

4. Twenty-Five-Foot Tape Measure

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Tape measure and permanent marker

Get a tape measure at least 25 feet long.

Permanent markers are great for marking measurements. (Pencils and pens are always handy too.)

5. Four-Foot Stepladder

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Four-foot fiberglass step ladder

Occasionally you may need a taller ladder, but the 4' size is easier to maneuver and will often do thetrick. A fiberglass ladder with metal rungs is best.

6. Hammer

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Notice the relatively straight claw

I suggest the carpenter-style hammer, as opposed to the style where the claw is more curved.

7. Fifty-Foot Extension Cord

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50' heavy duty extension cord

I suggest the 50-foot length, since shorter ones can be too short, and longer ones can becumbersome. Be sure to buy a thick, well-protected cord. (A GFI-protected three-way splitter is anice addition.)

8. Screwdrivers

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An assortment of insulated screwdrivers, plus a heavy-duty one for slicing metal.

A variety of different sizes and types of screwdriver will always be useful. Screwdrivers withinsulated handles are best, to help insure your safety from electrical shock. I also suggest one very-heavy-duty flathead screwdriver for piercing or slicing sheet metal.

9. Hex-Head Nut Drivers

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Hex-head nut drivers: 1/4", 3/8", and 5/16"

Many HVAC systems are put together with hex-head screws and bolts. Three sizes are mostcommon: 1/4", 3/8", and 5/16".

10. Caulking Gun

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Dripless caulking gun

A caulking gun can seal duct work, holes in houses, and many other openings. I suggest a driplessgun in order to avoid messes.

11. Level

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Eight-inch magnetic bubble level

Furnaces, air conditioners, and thermostats all need to be leveled when installing. A magnetic levelwill come in handy since many surfaces that you'll be leveling will be metal, and if so you can keepyour hands free while leveling.

12. Pliers

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From left to right: wire strippers, needle-nose, open-face, linesman, and channel-lock pliers.

The picture shows you an example of (from left to right) wire-stripping, needle-nose, open-face,linesman, and channel-lock pliers. All of them have their uses, and again, I suggest insulatedhandles.

13. Pipe Wrenches

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Pipe wrenches

Many HVAC systems involve natural gas lines and plumbing connections. Pipe wrenches are used toconnect both.

II. HVAC Tools Used For Sheet Metal Work

The following tools are the common hand tools used for working with sheet metal. Nearly everyHVAC system uses sheet metal for the duct work that carries the air to and from the unit driving thesystem.

1. Three Types of Tin Snips or Aviators

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Tin snips. At top: a "left" or "red"; middle, a "straight"; at bottom, a "right" or "green"

Tin snips, or "aviators," come in three types.

Lefts (or Reds or Offsets): Normally colored red, they're called "lefts" because they cut left indirection. Though they can be a bit awkward to use at first, the offset angle of the blade allows themetal to pass much easier over the end. This means you don't have to pull up on the metal as much,and leaves fewer sharp "fish-hooks" hanging on the edge of the cut.

Rights (or Greens or Offsets): Normally colored green, they cut to the right in direction.

Straights (or Bulldogs): These snips cut straight in direction, and are typically used for smaller cuts.Called "bulldogs" because of their strength and ability to cut multi-layer and thicker gauge sheet

metal. Commonly, but not always, colored orange.

2. Shears

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Shears

Shears, like tin snips, are used to cut sheet metal, but are good for longer straight-line cuts. I'dsuggest strong steel construction and an insulated handle for comfort.

3. Folding Bar or Drive Bender

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Folding bar

Folding Bar or Drive Bender: This is a simple-looking tool with multiple uses. Each side is slotted(one side is slotted 1" from the edge, and the other 1/2") so that sheet metal can be inserted andbent to whatever angle you need. It also comes in handy as a straight edge.

4. Hand Seamers (or Tongs, or Fairmonts)

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Hand seamers ("tongs")

Hand Seamers or Tongs or Fairmonts (a brand name): You won't be serving salad with this tool.Tongs are used to bend smaller pieces of metal. The ends are marked at 1/4" intervals, for easymeasurements when bending. The set in the photo is a Fairmont brand tool; it is quite durable andcan take a good beating. Other sets that are spring loaded and have plastic grips are nice, but notnearly as durable.

5. Crimpers

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Crimpers

By inserting sheet metal, usually round piping, in the teeth of this tool and squeezing down; you cancreate a "crimp," a wrinkled male fitting, to be inserted into the uncrimped female side of anotherpipe for joining the two together.

6. Awl or Scratch Awl

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Awl

Awl or Scratch Awl: The awl is used to puncture round metal piping for the installation of dampers.It is also used to scratch markings on sheet metal.

7. Staple Gun

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Staple gun

Staple Gun: Most often used for securing "Themo-Pan" or other brands of foil-covered cardboardpanning to a joist, to create a space for the return air flow to an HVAC system.

III. HVAC Tools Used For Air Conditioning Work

The tools are below used to service and install air conditioning systems, though many of them areused in refrigeration as well. Your employer will supply some of these, but you might want to take alook now at the tools you will work with regularly.

1. Tubing Cutter

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A tubing cutter for electrical conduit and other metal tubing

A tubing cutter is used to cut the copper lines used in air conditioning systems. It is adjustable to fitvarious diameters of tubing or piping. Often, a de-burring tool will be built into the back of thecutter. The cutting wheel is tightened down on the copper, the tool is spun around the tubing a fewtimes, then tightened again. This is repeated until the copper is cut where desired. Do not rush thisprocess as you will damage the copper. The de-burring tool then is used to remove any burrs leftbehind, since these small pieces can cause a system to malfunction if they get into the lines. Cuttingwheels will get dull over time, so they are usually replaceable.

2. Refrigeration Gauges

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Complete set of refrigeration gauges

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A closer look at the gauges and manifold

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The quick-release valve, separated

You will need a set of gauges that can read and hold pressures related to different types ofrefrigerants. The refrigerants R-22 and R-410A are most common in residential air conditioning. Thebrass portion of this set is called the manifold, and is usually sold with the gauges. You may have topurchase the hoses separately, and I suggest getting a longer set, which can come in handy fortighter areas. Lastly, the brass fittings on the hoses, for attaching to your air conditioning system,must be quick release and "de minimis." Not only are de minimis fittings required by law, to reducethe amount of refrigerant leaked into the environment when disconnecting, but they can helpprevent you from being harmed, as coming in contact with a significant amount of refrigerant cancause extensive skin damage.

3. Vacuum pump

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Your employer will most likely provide you with a vacuum pump. It is used to suck moisture and airout of air conditioning lines. The lines must be pulled into a vacuum and tested for leaks before thesystem can be charged with refrigerant.

4. Refrigerant Scale

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Refrigerant scale

Another item most likely supplied by your company, the refrigerant scale is used when charging anair conditioning system, and also lets you know when the tank you are using to recover refrigerant isfull.

HVAC Uses a Wide Variety of Tools and Equipment

Now we could go on to recovery units, re-claimers, the various refrigerant storage tanks and morebut this list will be more than enough to get you started in repairing and installing heating and airconditioning systems and equipment. After some time in this industry, you will be capable of usingmore tools than you ever imagined. Talk with your colleagues and bosses about suggested brandsand the potential for a tool allowance to help you obtain what you need.

Did These Lists Help You Plan Your Toolkit?

 Last updated on May 7, 2014

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