Tools for Getting Started In Your HVAC Career: List of Tools With Pictures

A career in the HVAC industry requires the use of many tools. From complex machines that recover refrigerant to a simple pen and paper, the list is never-ending. If you're just getting started in the heating and air conditioning trade, it can seem overwhelming and tough to decide what is needed right away. It can also be quite costly. While much of the more expensive machine-type equipment will be supplied by your employer, you will be required to purchase many tools on your own.

This hub will provide you a list of tools that you will need to begin on the right foot in your HVAC career along with photos and a brief explanation of their use. I will also give you various names for these tools so that when your partner says, "Hey rookie, give me those tongs." you won't be looking for a salad utensil. Of course these are the tools I've chosen to use over my 15 years of working in HVAC so I suppose I've sprinkled the list with a bit of my opinion. You'll notice in time there are not just a lot of tools in HVAC, but many variations of those tools.

Before we get on with the list, I'd like to share one last bit of advice. As you go about purchasing your "money-makers", it's best to purchase items that are durable and will last a long time. Unfortunately, this can often mean paying a bit more for a particular item. However, if you weigh out the initial cost compared to buying the same tool more than once and the inconvenience caused by cheap tools breaking on the job, you'll understand why this is important.

We'll start out with the common items used in HVAC. These are the tools that are used in general and not specific to any particular task.

NOTE: The following list is not prioritized by importance.

1. 25' Tape Measure - Though there are many lengths of tape measures on the market, I don't suggest picking one less than 25 feet long.
2. Permanent Marker - Permanent markers are great for marking measurements. (Pencils and pens are always good to keep handy as well.)
3. 4' Step Ladder - A 4 foot step ladder is commonly used in HVAC. There will be cases where a taller ladder is needed however, the 4' type is easier to maneuver and often will do the trick. In my opinion, a fiberglass ladder with metal rungs is best.
4. Battery Powered Drill - These general tools will all become your friends but I'm not sure if there is any one of them that compares to the battery operated drill in HVAC. I suggest an 18 volt minimum with 2 batteries and a charger. Do not spare expense here. 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 with it. This is the most common type of screw that you'll be using in HVAC.
5. Sawzall - No. I didn't spell it wrong. A sawzall does exactly that. It saws just about anything depending on what blade you put it in. This too is a tool that I wouldn't suggest sparing expense on. Find yourself a durable sawzall that will last. Blades will likely be supplied by your employer. I like a quick release for blade installation however there are many styles available.
6. Hammer - I don't feel much explanation is needed here but I do suggest the carpenter style hammer as opposed to the more bent style claw hammer.
7. 50' Extension Cord - I suggest the 50 foot length since others can be too short and some can be cumbersome if too long. Be sure to buy a thicker, well protected cord. (A GFI protected 3-way splitter is also a nice addition.)
8. Screwdrivers - A variety of different size and type of screwdriver will always have their use. Screwdrivers with insulated handles are best to help insure your safety from electrical shock. I also suggest one very heavy duty, flathead screwdriver as there will be times when you'll need this for piercing or slicing sheet metal.
9. Hex Head "Nut Drivers" - Many HVAC systems and their parts are assembled with various hex head screws and bolts. Three sizes are most common. 1/4", 3/8", and 5/16".
10. Caulking Gun - A caulking gun will be used to seal ductwork, holes in houses, and many other tasks. I suggest a dripless gun in order to avoid messes when using.
11. Level - Furnaces, air conditioners, and thermostats all need to be leveled when installing. A magnetic level will come in handy since many surfaces that you'll be leveling will be metal. Keeping your hands free will also be of help.
12. Electrical Testers - I remind you that this list is not prioritized by importance. HVAC will require you to work near live electrical power. Some type of electrical tester is a must. The picture provided shows one tester that can perform multiple functions (multi-meter) while the other will only let you know where electricity is present.
13. Pliers - The picture shows you an example of (from left to right) wire strippers, needle nose, open face, linesman, and channel lock pliers. All of them will have their uses and again, I suggest those with insulated handles.
14. Pipe Wrenches - Many HVAC systems are gas fired. Pipe wrenches are used to connect gas lines as well as certain plumbing connections that are also used in HVAC.

The following tools are the common hand tools used for working with sheet metal. Nearly every HVAC system uses sheet metal for the ductwork used to carry the air to and from the unit driving the system.

1. Lefts - (reds) - They're called lefts because they cut left in direction. You can see in the photo why they're often called reds. I suggest "offsets". Though they can be a bit awkward to use at first, the offset angle of the blade allows the metal to pass much easier over the end. This means you don't have to pull up on the metal as much and leaves fewer "fish-hooks" for you to be cut by.
2. Rights - (greens) - They're called rights because they cut right in direction. Again, you can see in the photo why they're called greens. I suggest "offsets" though the pair in the photo are not offset. I've done this so that you can see the difference.
3. Straights - (bulldogs) - These snips cut straight in direction and are typically used for smaller cuts. The term bulldogs comes from their strength and ability to cut multi-layer and thicker gauge sheet metal. The photo shows them in their common orange color though this may vary more often on this particular type of snip.
4. Shears - Shears are also used to cut sheet metal but are used for longer straight line cuts. A strong steel construction and insulated handle for comfort is my suggestion.
5. Folding Bar - (Drive bender) - This is a simple looking tool with multiple uses. Each side is slotted (One side is slotted 1" and the other a 1/2") so that sheet metal can be inserted and bent to whatever angle you need. It also comes in handy as a straight edge.
6. Hand Seamers - (Tongs) You won't be serving salad with this tool. Tongs are used to bend smaller pieces of metal. The ends are marked by the 1/4" for easy measurements when bending. You may also hear them call "Fairmonts" which is a proper name and describes what you see in the photo. This set is quite durable and can take a good beating. Others that are spring loaded and have plastic grips are nice, but not nearly as durable.
7. Crimpers - By inserting sheet metal, usually the round piping, in the teeth of this tool and squeezing down; you can create a "crimp" (wrinkled male fitting) to be inserted into the uncrimped female side of another pipe for joining the two together.
8. Awl - (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.
9. Staple Gun - When installing an HVAC system, much of the return air is contained in a joist space and sealed with "Thermo-Pan" or other brands of foil covered cardboard panning. You will find other uses from time to time, but your staple gun will be used in securing this panning to the joist.

The following tools are used to service and install air conditioning systems though many of them are used in refrigeration as well. A couple of these items will likely be supplied by your employer but thought it was a good idea to show you what you'll be working with regularly.

1. Tubing Cutter - The tubing cutter is used to cut the copper lines used in air conditioning systems. They are adjustable to fit to the various diametes of tubing or piping. Often, a de-burring tool will be built into the back of the cutter. The cutting wheel is tightened down on the copper and the tool is spun around the tubing a few times then tightened again. This is repeated until the copper is cut where desired. Do not rush this process as you will damage the copper. The de-burring tool then is used to remove any burrs left behind since these small pieces will cause a system to malfunction if entering into the lines. Cutting wheels will dull over time so they are usually replacable to the tool body.
2. Refrigeration Gauges - These gauges can tell an HVAC technician many things so we will not get into the finer details. Just know that a set of gauges that is capable of reading and holding pressures related to different types of refrigerants is important. R-22 and R-410A being most common in residential air conditioning. The brass portion of this set is called the manifold and is usually sold with the gauges. You may have to purchase the hoses separately and I suggest getting a longer set. This can come in handy for tighter areas. Lastly, the hoses will have brass fittings for attaching to your air conditioning system. Often these are not quick release or de minimus fittings. You must equip your gauges with this type of fitting. Not only is it law because they reduce the amount of refrigerant lost when disconnecting but also help prevent you from being harmed as refrigerant can cause extensive skin damage if you come in contact with any significant amount.
3. Vacuum Pump - It is likely you will be supplied a vacuum pump by your employer but it is important you recognize it. This will be used to evacuate air conditioning lines of any moisture and air that may be present. Once the lines are pulled into a vacuum and tested for leaks, the system can then be charged with the proper refrigerant.
4. Refrigeration Scale - The refrigerant scale has multiple uses as well. It can be used when charging an air conditioning system and also let you know when recovering refrigerant, that your recovery tank has reached its capacity. Again, it's likely this will be supplied by your company.

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