Essential Cooling Season Tools for Inspecting A/C Systems

Whether it’s heating season or the fast-approaching cooling season, picking up new tools is about more than just having all the bells and whistles. At the end of the day, it’s about being armed with the tools you need to work smarter and to get jobs done faster—so you can achieve more in a day. Having the best possible equipment is about ensuring you’ve got the right tools for every job to help make every service call run smoothly.

Essential tools could range from a good screwdriver and a durable headlamp to powerful vacuum pumps and sophisticated software that gives a real-time view of an entire HVAC system.

• Let’s start with the simple stuff. Every bag should include the basics like pliers, hammers, wrenches, cutters and drills, as well as safety equipment to protect eyes, ears and more. These are things we all need for every service call.
• As far as tools that are specific to working with an A/C system during cooling season, a versatile and powerful vacuum pump is necessary as well as a digital vacuum gauge. Together, these tools make the process of pulling a vacuum faster and much more accurate. Newer pumps allow the tech to change oil while the pump is still running without losing pressure.
• A scale is next on your list of essentials, and a wireless refrigerant scale makes recharging a system even easier. Newer models are sturdy enough to handle large tanks and communicate wirelessly with a mobile device – giving a tech the ability to fully and accurately recharge a system while performing other maintenance at the same time.
• Also, pick up a new refrigerant leak detector. The latest technology has hyper-accurate sensors that sniff out small, hard-to-find leaks with ease. (We’re talking leaps and bounds better than soap bubbles.)
• To check airflow, wireless psychrometers make the job go smoothly. By attaching one on each side of the evaporator, it’s easy to take measurements like Delta T and TESP. And, since they’re wireless, they stay in place during the service call and show in real-time how other adjustments improve system airflow and overall performance.
• To check voltage coming from the street and in the system itself, a sturdy, safe clamp meter does the job nicely. They’ll alert a tech if there’s an electrical issue, and some newer models also show the system’s Kw/Hr usage. This can be a nice way of letting a homeowner know how much energy a service call is saving.

If you want to add any of these tools to your bag so you’re ready to roll for your next cooling season service call, check out the latest from Fieldpiece. Everything Fieldpiece builds is designed to help HVAC techs work better, faster and smarter through all seasons.