Types Of Air Conditioning Tools

HVAC repair takes specialized knowledge and experience, and technicians need to use many types of tools to repair these intricate systems. Being informed about types of air conditioning tools can help you to ask your technicians informed questions. To learn more about the types of tools used to repair air conditioning systems, equipment, like wrenches, pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, dies, and more, keep reading.

Types of HVAC Tools

• Hacksaws are used to cut copper tubing or other metals. Most saws have a range of blades that can be fitted depending on the type of metal you are cutting. Blades are rated by their size in inches and number of teeth. A general guide to use is the thicker the metal you are cutting, the more inches and teeth you will need your blade to have. Professional technicians tend to use higher-quality blades made from tungsten or molybdenum steel.
• Pliers are common tools that most households have. They are usually made of alloy steel and can be used to cut wires. Needle-nose pliers are used when you need to reach crevices or small-opening equipment.
• Cutters will often be found in a tech’s tool bag, including tube cutters, pipe cutters, and metal cutters to cut copper pipes, pvc tubes, and more.
• Expert repair technicians my use a few kinds of gauges when repairing your system. A refrigeration gauge measures the pressure of the refrigerant to help identify leaks. A manifold gauge set may be used to diagnose high and low pressure in the air conditioning system. Techs will also bring gauge hoses in their tool kit.
• Wrenches are used to fasten nuts to bolts in your HVAC system. HVAC fasteners are usually made of copper or brass. Often, wrenches of various sizes are needed, and options include Box, Socket, Open-end, and Adjustable wrenches. Box wrenches have a strong and tight grip. Socket wrenches are commonly found in households, and are suitable for some HVAC fasteners. Open-end wrenches can slide onto a nut or bolt more easily than other kinds of wrenches. Pipe wrenches have a a unique shape and teethed head that allow techs to easily grip pipes and other small surfaces. Typical wrench sizes used for HVAC repairs are 1″ across flat, 15/16″ across flat, 5/8″ across flat, 1/2″ across flat, and 7/16″ across flat. Adjustable type can be used on various sizes of bolts and nuts, but keep in mind the grip may not be preferred and may result in a damaged nut or bolt.

• Screwdrivers/Nut Drivers are common tools in the house. At a minimum, a multi-purpose screwdriver, including a Phillips and flat head, is needed for HVAC repairs. However, other kinds of screwdrivers, including Philips Bit, Cabinet Bit, Keystone Bit, Allen Recess, and Slotted Screw may be needed as well. A magnetic nut driver set can be incredibly useful as well, and hex-head nut drivers may be required for some parts of the repair.
• Vises are used to hold parts with a jaw made of a soft metal, such as copper or aluminum. Vises are made from soft metal to prevent damage to your AC parts during installation.
• Power Drills are used to install or repair equipment. Drilling of wood, plastic, masonry, and metal requires different kinds of drills, and a twist drill is often used to install plastic or metal components. Often, HVAC techs will use a cordless drill.
• Taps are used to make threaded holes in metal parts and are made of hard alloy steel. Three common types of taps for air conditioning unit repair are bottoming, plug, and taper. HVAC technicians may use a taper tap to start a cut on the metal. Then, a plug type to cut blind holes, and a bottoming tap to cut full threads to the base of the hole.
• Files are used to clean and smoothen metal surfaces or metal parts. They can be single or double-cut with lengths ranging from 4″ to 12″.
• Multimeters are used to check for electrical components.
• Staple guns may be necessary to assemble ductwork during AC installation.
• Hand seamers can be used to flatten or bend sheet metal, while snips are used to cut the metal. Crimpers are then used to conform sheet metal parts to pipes.
• Nitrogen regulators reduce the pressure of gasses or liquids. HVAC technicians use these regulators to make sure that high-pressure gas and liquid is safe to work with.
• Psychrometers measure air flow, evaluate an air mixture, and measure relative humidity levels.
• Refrigeration tools, including refrigerant leak detectors, scales, and storage tanks, and a refrigerant recovery machine may be used by your tech.
• Techs wear safety tools, such as gloves, safety glasses, and masks, to protect themselves from dust and debris. When working with power tools, like the drill, techs will use ear protection. Heavy work boots are essential for grip and protecting your feet in the event that an object falls on the tech’s feet.
• Other essential tools to repair your air conditioner include extension cords, a tape measure, adapters, step ladder, flashlights, utility knives, and more.

Common AC Issues

Common breakdowns with air conditioning units can include thermostat malfunctions, clogged air filters, dirty condenser coils, drainage issues, and electrical failures. These are common and simple issues that you can likely take care of yourself. For example, cleaning condenser coils is a simple task, as well as replacing or cleaning an air filter. Electrical issues, like a blown fuse or tripped breaker, can be easily identified and repaired as well. When your system experiences a breakdown, look for issues with the thermostat, condenser coil, air filer, drain lines, and simple electrical components first.

Can I DIY My HVAC Repair?

Air conditioning units are made of many components, which all must be installed properly for your system to function well, or even at all. It is also important to consider that this list of tools is not exhaustive, and if you don’t have a large tool collection at home, purchasing the necessary tools to complete the repair or installation can be quite expensive. Air conditioning repairs can be costly, and DIY can be alluring to avoid those high prices. Unless the problem is small and can be resolved fairly simply, like the common AC issues mentioned above, or you have some experience with larger issues (and a tool collection to support the repair) I suggest calling an expert to handle major breakdowns.