A Brief Guide To the Tools and Instruments Heating & AC Service Professionals Use Every Day
Whether it’s a furnace, boiler, heat pump, central AC, ductless mini-split, or some combination of these, a home’s HVAC system is one of the most important - and most complicated - pieces of a home. The HVAC system uses more energy than any other single source or appliance in the average home and impacts everything from comfort to indoor air quality.
So when something goes wrong with the system, or it’s simply due for routine maintenance, it’s imperative to have it worked on by someone who knows what they’re doing. Professional HVAC technicians have the in-depth knowledge and specialized training to work on these complex systems, but there’s one more thing that sets them apart from the amateurs - the tools they use. This article will cover some of the common tools HVAC contractors use and why they’re so essential.
Basic Hand Tools
Instruments such as a tape measure, pipe caliper, level, flashlight (and headlamp), staple gun, permanent markers, and extension cords are indispensable. Also essential are slightly more specialized tools like tube and pipe cutters, utility knives, heavy-duty sheet metal shears, and a fuse puller.
General Safety Equipment
Cooling and heating technicians adhere to strict safety protocols and standards to keep themselves and their clients safe while performing their work - but they also need the right equipment. A pro will typically be decked out in Personal Protective Equipment from head to toe.
Steel toe boots or other heavy-duty footwear help prevent injury from falling objects or other hazards at the job site. Masks and respirators can help keep technicians and clients healthy and reduce the risk of exposure to airborne pollutants. Durable gloves can help prevent contact with harmful chemicals as well as cuts, burns, and abrasions. Earplugs help prevent hearing damage when working in enclosed spaces. Goggles help protect the technician’s eyes from flying debris, and some even offer magnification for working on tiny components.
Trade-Specific Tools
As vital as the basic tools and safety gear are, HVAC work wouldn’t be possible without a few specialized tools designed for the trade. AC contractors use coil fin straighteners for cleaning and repairing dirty, clogged, or bent coils. They use valve core removal tools to keep refrigerant valves in good shape. They use vacuum pumps and special solvents to clean out and recharge refrigerant lines or remove algae from condensate drain lines.
Professional heating technicians and AC service pros use special combustible gas leak detectors, refrigerant leak detectors, thermal imaging devices, digital refrigerant gauges, multimeters, and psychrometers to identify and troubleshoot problems and pinpoint dangerous leaks.
Considering the complexity of heating and cooling systems and the sheer scope of the tools required to work on them (not to mention the skills and training necessary to use those tools correctly), it should be clear why HVAC work is best left to the professionals!
About Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.
The award-winning Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. has been a trusted industry leader since 1982. Their trustworthy expert technicians always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks, ready to handle any job. Colonial is open 24 hours a day and guarantees 100% satisfaction on every job, so call them any time for HVAC services in Colonial Heights, VA!
