The BEST Technician Guide to HVAC Tools In 2024

These HVAC tools are most commonly used and are also known as HVAC hand tools.

• Hammers

Lightweight, easy-grip, and fiberglass construction are a few features that an HVAC technician tool should have. It increases its durability and convenience.

• Screwdrivers

Units, vents, thermostats, and most of the things you deal with as an HVAC technician need screwdrivers. So you must keep a screwdriver set with a wide range of sizes.
Insulated handles to protect you from shock so you could invest in those as well.

• Pliers

Drilling holes and remote connections are just a couple of activities in HVAC services that require pliers like wire strippers, linesmen, channel-lock, open-face, and needle-nose.
An insulated plier set would also increase its longevity.

• Tape measure

The ability to read and procure accurate measurements is crucial for technicians, especially HVAC ones, with all the air conditioners, walls, vents, and furnaces to measure.
That is why a tape measure is a toolkit essential.

• Adjustable wrenches

These adjustable wrenches are essential for your daily work since they give you much flexibility. Acquiring the small, medium, and large sizes will only make your toolkit all the more invincible.

• Flashlight

Now, this is a no-brainer! We don’t even leave our house usually without a built-in torch or a flashlight application on our phones! So a technician should most definitely have one in their tool bag.
A headlamp might be a good option for work that requires both hands.

• Battery-powered drills

HVAC technicians should equip themselves with cordless drills and two batteries for time efficiency.

• Pipe wrench

These are handy on threaded pipes, usually galvanized steel, black iron, or similar metal pipes. They are also used to secure connections for natural gas and plumbing. A pro tip would be to use aluminum handle wrenches that weigh a lot less.

• Cutters

Technicians will need these to cut copper and PVC pipes and tubes.

• Staple gun

These help secure joists and foil lines to increase the necessary airflow.

• Crimpers and awls

Crimpers and awls help us work the piping and metal to fit everything in the space carved out for the HVAC system.

• Extension cords

These are very useful for plugging in electronics, lights, and appliances.

• Shears

Shears are cutting tools used in HVAC for cutting thin metal sheets, such as ductwork or flashing. They provide precise cuts and are available in various sizes for different applications.

• Aviation Snips

Aviation snips are specialized cutting tools designed for cutting sheet metal. They are commonly used by HVAC technicians to make straight or curved cuts in metal ductwork and other materials.

• Tin Snips

Tin snips are hand tools used for cutting and shaping thin metal sheets, such as aluminum or galvanized steel. HVAC technicians use tin snips for tasks like cutting ductwork, flashing, and other sheet metal components.

• Hand Seamer

A hand seamer is a tool used for bending and forming sheet metal. HVAC technicians use hand seamers to create bends and folds in metal sheets, particularly in ductwork fabrication and installation.

• Hex Keys (Allen Wrenches)

Hex keys, also known as Allen wrenches, are tools used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets. HVAC technicians use hex keys for assembling and disassembling equipment and components, such as tightening or loosening fasteners on HVAC systems.