For anyone considering a career as an HVAC technician, the good news is that there continues to be a demand in the industry, with new HVAC jobs in Miami, across Florida, and throughout the country being advertised daily.
The future looks bright for mid-level HVAC technicians seeking employment, thanks to new investments in renewable energy to the additional emphasis placed on indoor air quality after COVID-19. In fact, there is such a high demand for HVAC technicians that many employers are offering hiring bonuses and other incentives to technicians who have completed two-year HVAC programs.
While most employers provide their HVAC technicians with the pricier equipment needed to perform their duties, such as vacuum pumps or cylinders, most HVAC technicians must purchase their own tools.
This blog post will reveal the must-have tools for every HVAC technician to perform their job daily.
Must-Have Tools for Every HVAC Technician
The following is a list of tools that every HVAC technician should have on hand:
- Insulated screwdrivers: As an HVAC technician, you’ll need various sizes and types of insulated screwdrivers to prevent electric shock and equipment damage. Phillips and flathead screwdrivers are essential for removing screws from HVAC units and thermostats.
- A hammer: All HVAC technicians should carry a standard, lightweight hammer though having a tinner’s hammer and an array of ball-peen and dead-blow hammers is also advised.
- A pair of pliers: Piers are used to cut, bend, hold, and strip wires. Every HVAC technician’s toolbox should have needle-nose, long-nose, and Channellock pliers.
- A pipe wrench: Steel and aluminum pipe wrenches are essential to furnace and HVAC unit installations. Since HVAC technicians often work with various pipe sizes, it is wise to have an 8-inch, a 10-inch, and a 12-inch pipe wrench on hand.
- A tape measure: Tape measures are used to take accurate measurements, which is crucial to installing outlets, furnaces, and air conditioning units.
- A multimeter: Digital multimeters are among an HVAC technician’s most important tools. They are used in system testing and problem diagnosis. A multimeter measures voltage, resistance, and alternating and direct currents.
- Extension cords: HVAC technicians need industrial-strength extension cords that withstand high energy loads and outdoor elements. You should have at least one 50-foot-long extension cord.
- A cordless drill: Lightweight cordless drills help HVAC technicians work in cramped areas without their tool belts getting weighed down. However, a more heavy-duty drill is necessary if you have to drill into masonry, stucco, or similar materials.
- A pair of tin snips: Tin snips are like scissors that can cut cleanly through sheet metals. Depending on the thickness of the metal you work with, you may need to consider different gauges.
- A step ladder: HVAC technicians often need a step ladder on most jobs. A 6- to 10-foot ladder will usually do the trick. However, extension ladders may be necessary for reaching rooftop compressors. Choose a ladder that folds up nicely and can be easily maneuvered.
- A handheld saw: Handheld saws are used to cut through drywall and pipes.
- A pair of tubing cutters: An HVAC technician can cleanly cut copper lines, avoiding system problems caused by jagged edges with tubing cutters. The adjustable cutting wheel lets you cut various pipe diameters.
- Crimpers: A pair of crimpers can join round ducts and reduce their diameter for flush connections.
- A hand seamer: An HVAC technician uses hand seamers to shape sheet metal and ductwork. This tool comes in varying widths.
- A staple gun: HVAC technicians use staple guns to secure insulation.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill an HVAC Technician’s Toolbox?
It can take time for someone to acquire all of the tools they might need during their career as an HVAC technician.
You may need to spend $500 or more to ensure you have the most basic tools. The good news is that you can add to your toolkit in time.
You can start buying tools while you are enrolled in your HVAC technician training program in Miami. Once you become licensed and certified as an HVAC technician and you land your first HVAC jobs, you’ll have a better understanding of what tools you’ll need based on the type of work you specialize in and whether you work independently or for an employer who supplies you with the tools you need.
No matter where your career as an HVAC technician leads you, the most important tool you’ll have is your HVAC technician degree from CBT Technology Institute, Miami’s premier higher education and technical school.
The two-year HVAC training program offered at CBT Technology Institute will prepare you for a career as an HVAC technician.
For more information about our HVAC training program and to begin your journey toward a successful career in the HVAC industry, contact CBT Technology Institute today.