HVAC tools are important to contractors who pride themselves on performing excellent work for their clients.
Whether you buy your supplies at Home Depot or through another vendor, it is vital to understand which tools are most helpful for heating & cooling projects.
Ensuring your team has the latest and greatest tools isn’t just about pleasing customers—it also boosts worker morale.
When you give your team everything they need, they won’t have to work so hard, and technicians are generally happier when they don’t have to work so hard.
At HVAC Webmasters, we serve HVAC trade clients. Check out our list of the best HVAC tools in your arsenal.
Quick List of Best HVAC Tools for 2025
- Fieldpiece Job Link® System
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL™ Cordless Drill Kit
- Testo Smart Probes AC & Refrigeration Kit
- NAVAC NP7DP Smart Vacuum Pump
- Bluon Support App + Refrigerant ID Tools
Hand Tools
Pretty much every trade has its own specialized set of hand tools that are essential to the work. There is some overlap, however. For instance, some hand tools important for HVAC work are also used in plumbing.
You will see what we mean in a moment as we highlight some of the essential hand tools every HVAC technician should be equipped with:
- Shears – Cutting into sheet metal is a big part of HVAC installation and repair, as vent work commonly needs to be altered. Steel shears are essential for making long, straight cuts into sheet metal, and if you can, find a good pair with an insulated handle.
- Aviation Snips – Aviation snips are crucial for cutting into ductwork more comfortably when a curve is needed. As the name suggests, aviation snips were initially developed to cut metal for aircraft. But now, they are a staple in the HVAC industry for making curved cuts into ductwork and cuts that require a change of direction at some point.
- Tin Snips – Tin snips (both left and right) make cutting into round ductwork much easier. They will help your technicians make longer, straighter cuts into the ductwork, usually required when making an HVAC system more energy-efficient or watertight.
- Pipe Wrench – HVAC appliances like gas furnaces and water heaters are hooked up to utility lines. As an HVAC contractor or technician, you must connect and disconnect these lines on service calls. A good pipe wrench, therefore, cannot be overlooked. The best pipe wrenches have ductile iron handles that bend before breaking. They last a long time, and they give you a warning before they completely fail.
Refrigerant Scale
The career of an HVAC technician is essentially a prolonged practice in precision. Measurements of all kinds in HVAC must be precise, and refrigerant is no exception. Adding too much refrigerant can put undue strain on an air conditioner’s compressor.
Too little refrigerant will render the system incapable of maintaining the desired temperature. Therefore, a refrigerant scale is needed to conduct service calls and detect leaks correctly.
A good scale will allow you to use exactly the right amount of refrigerant, so you won’t have to make a second service call for the same problem.
Another consideration is whether your refrigerant scale is certified for A2L refrigerants, which have become the standard in eco-friendly regulations.
- Fieldpiece Job Link® System
- Testo Smart Probes AC & Refrigeration Kit
- Hilmor Quick-Engage Manifold Gauge Set
Voltage & Smart Multimeters
Think electricians only use voltage meters? Think again. Voltage meters are yet another tool that is extremely important in multiple trades.
Voltage meters allow you to test for live wires and outlets before working on them. They will also enable your technicians to see if systems are putting out the amount of energy needed to power certain HVAC systems.
Therefore, voltage meters are vital for your team’s safety and to help them diagnose and fix common HVAC problems.
Smart multimeters offer wireless transmission, capacitance, and frequency testing, as well as app logging. These modern features are critical for troubleshooting variable-speed HVAC systems and inverter-driven compressors.
- Fieldpiece SC680 Wireless Clamp Meter
- Klein Tools CL800 Digital Clamp Meter
- Fluke 117 Electrician’s Multimeter
Vacuum Pumps
Vacuum pumps allow your technicians to suck out moisture and air from the ductwork. Why is this important? It’s important for maintenance and cleaning jobs and leak testing.
Vacuum pumps can help your technicians pinpoint a line leak before charging the system refrigerant, saving time, money, and risk.
- NAVAC NP7DP Smart Vacuum Pump
- Fieldpiece VPX7 Vacuum Pump
- Inficon D-TEK Stratus Refrigerant Leak Detector
Cordless Drills & Sheaths
A good cordless drill goes a long way in the HVAC industry. Ensure your team is equipped with cordless drills with all the necessary bits.
A drill bit sheath is one of the most important parts of a drill kit that many HVAC contractors overlook. A drill bit sheath can help your technicians avoid puncturing holes in refrigerant lines when installing test ports.
A drill bit sheath will also help prevent creating leaks in the ductwork that can throw off static pressure readings.
At any rate, it is also a good idea to ensure that all your technicians have at least two batteries on hand for their drills to ensure they can complete all-day projects.
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL™ Cordless Drill Kit
- Milwaukee Drill Bit Sheath
- Hilmor Multi-Tool Screwdriver
Smart HVAC Tools
Technological advancements help increase efficiency within the HVAC industry. That’s why tools like Fieldpiece’s Job Link® System and Testo’s smart probes connect with mobile apps and help HVAC professionals quickly log data, analyze performance, and share diagnostics in real-time.
By investing in smart HVAC tools, businesses can streamline workflows and reduce callbacks, increasing customer satisfaction and more efficient performance.
- Fieldpiece Job Link® System
- Testo Smart Probes AC & Refrigeration Kit
- Bluon Support App + Refrigerant ID Tools
AI Diagnostic Tools
AI is impacting the HVAC industry beyond SEO and digital marketing. For example, new AI diagnostic tools analyze system performance data while providing predictive metrics and service recommendations.
The Bluon tech platform is an excellent example of a diagnostic platform that helps HVAC techs match various parts, tools, and refrigerants for specific use cases and unique HVAC problems.
- Fieldpiece SC680 Wireless Clamp Meter
- Klein Tools Digital Multimeter
- Bluon Support App + Refrigerant ID Tools
Safety Gear and PPE
Safety should be at the top of every HVAC business owner’s mind. Following safety protocols not only protects your team but also keeps your business compliant with laws and regulations.
The following safety tools can help your technicians stay safe:
- Arc-rated gloves and face shields
- Safety glasses with UV protection
- Ear protection for loud compressor zones
- CO2 detectors and low-level gas leak monitors
Top HVAC Tool Brands
Now that you know what tools you need, consider the top brands for HVAC tools. After all, a tool is only as good as its manufacturer.
Trust is probably the number one consideration for contractors looking to invest in heating and cooling tools, especially when it’s for their business and employees.
Let’s take a look at some top brands:
Milwaukee Tool
Milwaukee Tool is considered one of the most trustworthy brands for HVAC. They’ve been in business since 1924, which gives contractors an idea of how reliable they are in the marketplace.
They are known for appealing directly to “real users” rather than just marketing their tools to anybody. Milwaukee makes trade-specific equipment that is built for durability.
Fieldpiece
Fieldpieces are near and dear to the HVACR community. They make hand-held test instruments specifically for HVAC contractors.
They were the first to offer modular expandability, allowing contractors to test most parameters with only a single meter. The HVACR powerhouse now offers additional tools such as manifolds and scales.
Hilmor
Hilmor is another popular brand for HVAC tools. They are known as one of the more innovative manufacturers and provide considerable value to contractors.
Whether you are looking for gauges, hoses, manifolds, or other equipment, Hilmor will provide a solution and an innovative one. Check out their dual readout thermometer.
Other Equipment Considerations for HVAC
Equipping your team with all the tools mentioned above gives them the best chance to service your clients professionally.
Your team of technicians’ tools reflects directly on you, the company’s owner. Be sure you send them out into the field with everything they need to represent your company in the best possible light.
As an HVAC contractor, you must view quality tools as an investment. Equipping your team with the tools they need to get jobs done effectively and efficiently will only benefit your bottom line and endear your company to your customers.
From simple yet essential hand tools to advanced measuring equipment, this list will help you and your team prepare for the rigors of the field.
