What Types of Tools Go into My HVAC Tool Bag?
If you’re an enthusiastic HVAC technician or someone who is starting as a newbie in the HVAC field, then you must need the right kinds of tools in your tool bag. At the beginning of your HVAC works, you may find it a bit confusing and puzzling to select the collection of tools. That’s why you need to read this guideline to know the most important tools for your HVAC tool bag.
There are different kinds of tools in HVAC works. You will see many basic hand tools as well as some HVAC specialty tools. Also, there are some miscellaneous items too that may be used on special occasions. So, let’s get familiar with the tools.
Basic Level Hand Tools
A Utility Knife
It is a very basic and important day to day tool for your HVAC tool bag. It comes very handy when you need anything to cut like insulation or any other parts of the system. Always carry a utility knife with you with some extra blades.
Service Wrench
A service wrench is really helpful for the opening and closing of the valves of compressors that do the refrigeration. Besides, it helps to settle the tanks to do the torching.
Sheet Metal Shears
This tool can cut through ducts in different directions. As an HVAC technician, you won’t be needing to do the installation of ductwork, but you may need some shears to cut some holes in it. A 12” long sheet metal shears that also has a 3” measured bite will be a good choice for you.
Pipe Cutter
You will also need to cut the PVC pipes, copper pipes, or some tubes. A small pipe cutter will do the tricks for you.
A Cordless Drilling Set
If you work under an employer, you may get a cordless drill from him. But, if you are an independent technician, then you must get one of these. It is a very important tool for your tool bag. An impact or hammer drill with a 12V lithium-ion battery will be a good choice.
Inspection Mirror
In your work, you will need to see the numbers or inspect the joints of welding. But, it is sometimes very difficult to see those things as they are located in the back part of a pipe. An inspection mirror will be helpful in that situation.
Pipe Wrench
A pipe wrench is a very basic and useful tool for you. You should get one of these for your HVAC backpack tool bag. Get the one that has an aluminium handle because that will be lighter in weight. 8” and 14” pipe wrench would be good enough for you.
A Set of Long Neck Nut Drivers
You will need to reach some tight spaces as a service technician. So, get some long neck nuts driver sets for your tool bag.
Allen Wrench Set
An Allen wrench set would of huge importance for you as HVAC tool manufacturers don’t provide the same kinds of measurement. That’s why you will need this for metric sizes as well as the imperial sizes.
Special HVAC Tools
Multimeter
You will need this tool to troubleshoot the electronic components for testing the voltage. There is a special multimeter for an HVAC technician. Get one of these. A temperature symbol of bulb will be on this meter to recognize. Sometimes this one comes with a good thermocouple as well as amp probes.
Refrigerant Gauge
Get a digital version of it instead of an analog one. The manual calculation can be time-consuming and error-prone. That’s why a digital version will help you to get the perfect data quickly. You only need to put the gauge, clamp, and temperature sensor. A screen will show you the data that you need.
Thermometer
There are many varieties of thermometer you will find on the market. We recommend you to get the one that can penetrate flexible ductwork to get the air temperature reading.
Filter Puller
A filter puller is a device that has a telescopic handle to reach the hard to access filter with the help of a hook and pull it towards you. most of the HVAC system is designed poorly where the maintenance isn’t considered in the designing process.
Miscellaneous Tools
Safety Glass
Safety glass is an essential tool for your safety as flying objects, chemicals, or debris may cause harm to your eyes. Always wear the safety glass.
Gloves
This one is another personal protective equipment that needs to be used by the HVAC technician all the time.
Markers
A marker is a little but an important tool for you. when you are maintaining a log or doing any measurement works for you, you will need to use them frequently.
Flashlight
A flashlight is another very handy and necessary tool. It will help you to see the system clearly and do the work nicely. A rechargeable flashlight will be a good choice.
Tape Measure
A tape measure is another fine tool that helps to finish your work perfectly.
End Words
These are the basic tools for your HVAC tool bag that you will need at the beginning. There are many other tools too. You need to pick them very wisely as the overburdening of your tool bag will decrease your efficiency. Select the tools before you go for a new job keeping in mind the type of works involved. We hope that this list will guide you to become a pro HVAC technician.