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HVAC Tools List: 30+ Essential Tools for HVAC Work (With Prices)

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Originally published in February 2021. Last updated on November 15, 2024.

Choosing the best HVAC tools can seem daunting, whether you’re an apprentice building your personal toolkit or a small business owner looking to grow.

Looking for an easier way to budget your startup costs and know what to buy? We’ve got a complete list of tools you’ll need as an HVAC technician or installer, along with average prices.

As a bonus, you can use our free downloadable HVAC tool list to keep lists of what you’ve purchased and what you want to buy next.

Complete HVAC tool list:

  1. Basic hand tools
  2. Power tools
  3. Specialized HVAC tools
  4. Safety tools
  5. Digital tools for business management

At a quick glance, you can see that you’ll need to stock your HVAC van with basic supplies, power tools, and some specialty gear. When it comes to pricing, here’s what you might expect to pay at this stage:

HVAC tools by categoryPlan to spend
Basic hand tools$210–500
Power tools$200–450
Specialized HVAC tools$360–1,045
Safety tools$350–1,000

Basic hand tools

Plan to spend $210–500 for all of the following hand tools, which you’ll need for most HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation jobs:

1. Screwdriver set ($10–30)

Keep flathead and Phillips screwdrivers in various sizes to install and replace parts, open control panels, complete sheet metal work, and secure HVAC components in place.

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2. Adjustable pipe wrench ($10–30)

Use this tool to tighten or loosen threaded pipes and fittings during installation, repair, or maintenance work.

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3. Pliers or plier set ($15–45)

Needle-nose pliers and channel lock pliers are useful for gripping, bending, and cutting wires. Slip-joint pliers have adjustable jaws that help you grip objects of various sizes.

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4. Tape measure ($5–20)

Use any tape measure to take precise measurements of components and equipment, whether you’re replacing or installing.

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5. Hammer ($10–30)

Find a lightweight hammer with a comfortable grip, and keep it handy to secure brackets and tap objects into place.

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6. Tin snips ($10–35)

Cut and shape sheet metal and other thin materials with either straight snips (to cut notches and slight curves) or offset snips (to maneuver longer cuts and keep your hands safe from sharp material).

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7. Hand seamer ($30–60)

A straight-jaw hand seamer helps you bend and shape sheet metal to securely connect sheet metal pieces. Use a crimping hand seamer to join and connect sheet metal pieces.

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8. Staple gun ($20–40)

This helps you secure joists and foil lines in your ductwork.

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9. Wire strippers ($15–40)

Use these to safely remove insulation from electrical wires before making electrical connections for an HVAC system.

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10. Tube cutters ($15–25)

For most residential work, smaller cutters (e.g., half-inch cutters) will cut through copper and plastic tubing cleanly. Get a wider pair for commercial systems with larger tubing.

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11. Duct knife ($20–30)

Use a duct knife with a serrated blade to cut ductwork or fiberglass insulation for HVAC installations.

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12. Tube flaring tool ($25–140)

This helps you create smooth and precise flared ends on copper tubing to help refrigerant flow properly in an HVAC system.

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13. Torpedo level ($20–35)

You can use any kind of level to ensure accurate horizontal and vertical alignment during installs, but a torpedo level is portable and handy for tight quarters.

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14. Hex keys ($5–20 per set)

You’ll find hexagonal screws and bolts often in HVAC equipment, so keep hex keys (also called Allen wrenches) in your tool bag.

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READ MORE: Free HVAC parts markup chart (+ calculation guide)

Want to learn how to stock up so that you’re ready for service calls, quick fixes, and specialty HVAC jobs? Check out a full custom van tour from Walter Washington of Washington A/C and Heating.

Power tools

Essential HVAC power tools can cost you anywhere between $115 and $450 if your company doesn’t provide them for you. Here are the power tools you’ll need:

15. Power drill ($20–80)

You’ll need a drill or driver to install and fasten components for all kinds of HVAC units. You can use an impact driver to drive screws and fasteners with higher torque and efficiency.

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16. Handheld power saw ($30–130)

This is a must-have for cutting through metal, wood, plastic, and PVC when you need to modify or install new components. Use a reciprocating saw when working in tight spaces or a jigsaw for more intricate cuts.

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17. Circular saw ($40–130)

A large, circular blade can easily make long, straight cuts into larger pieces of material. This type of saw is best for ductwork fabrication, trimming, and framing work.

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18. Angle grinder ($40–150)

Use this to cut, grind, and polish materials used for HVAC installations.

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Specialized HVAC tools

You can expect to pay between $360 and $1,045 for all these specialized tools used for HVAC troubleshooting, installs, and more complex repair and maintenance tasks:

19. Multimeter ($30–40)

This device is an essential tool for testing and measuring voltage, resistance, and continuity in electrical circuits.

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20. HVAC/R thermometer ($25–150)

Use this to measure air and refrigerant temperatures accurately and make adjustments when necessary.

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21. Manifold gauge set ($35–85)

Analog, digital, and Bluetooth gauges can all help you measure and monitor refrigerant pressure levels and temperatures in HVAC systems to check that they’re working properly.

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22. Psychrometer ($60–130)

This tool measures the airflow, relative humidity, and wet-bulb temperature in an HVAC system to help with accurate diagnosis and optimization.

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23. Nitrogen regulator gauges ($65–110)

Keep these gauges handy when you need to check and regulate the flow of nitrogen gas in an HVAC system.

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24. Coil fin straightener combs ($10–30)

When the aluminum fins on an AC unit’s evaporator and condenser coils get bent out of shape, a coil fin straightener stores them to improve airflow and prevent coil damage.

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25. Core removal tool ($10–30)

Use this to properly remove the service valve from an air conditioning system so you can replace or reinstall it without losing refrigerant.

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26. HVAC data logger ($100–500)

This handheld device helps you monitor and record a system’s temperature, humidity, and pressure over time, providing valuable data for analysis and system optimization.

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If you’re starting an HVAC business, account for these costs in your HVAC business plan under your startup costs. Start by purchasing the tools you’re most likely to need based on the HVAC services you offer. As your business grows, and you start to expand your services, you can slowly invest in specialized equipment, like refrigerant recovery machines, storage tanks, and core drillers.

READ MORE: HVAC technician job description: free template and guide

Safety tools

You’ll need the right safety tools and equipment to protect yourself from injury and your client’s property from damage. Budget $355–960 for these safety tools to protect yourself and your customers:

27. Personal protective equipment (PPE) ($85–275)

It’s a must to invest in proper protective equipment, including:

  • Safety glasses or goggles – Protect eyes from flying debris, dust, and chemicals that are common with installation and HVAC maintenance.
  • Cut-resistant gloves – Guard your hands from sharp objects like metal ducts, wires, or power tools.
  • Steel-toed boots – Protect feet from heavy equipment or falling objects that could cause injury during the HVAC installation process.
  • Respiratory protection like duct masks – When there’s a risk of inhaling dust, fumes, or harmful particles, workers need protection (especially when working in tight spaces or with insulation materials.)

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28. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) devices ($200–500)

Proper lockout/tagout protection is part of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. LOTO devices isolate and de-energize equipment to prevent machine startups while you’re working, which prevents burns, shocks, or other injuries.

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29. Voltage tester ($20–35)

Use a non-contact voltage tester to verify the absence of electrical power before working on electrical components.

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30. Safety harness and fall protection kit ($50–150)

Secure yourself in a harness when working in elevated areas or on roofs to prevent falls and injury.

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READ MORE: HVAC inspection checklist guide (+ free checklist download)

Digital tools to run a more efficient HVAC business

If you’re managing or dispatching HVAC crews, streamlining those processes is just as important as the tools in your service vehicle.

Consider these HVAC business management tech tools that help you respond to service calls faster and keep customers happy:

31. Fleet management software

As a business owner, you can use GPS to locate, monitor, and track the efficiency of your work vehicles. FleetSharp is a great option for mapping out more efficient routes and reducing fuel costs. This tool’s pricing varies by the number of vehicles.

READ MORE: 6 best fleet management software for efficiency and savings

32. HVAC service software

Jobber provides HVAC service software where you can schedule and assign service calls quickly, dispatch technicians, manage clients, and organize invoicing—without the paperwork or administrative hassle. Jobber is available to test drive for free, with a 14-day trial. 

Before using Jobber, we were using paper invoices. It was taking a long time for us to get paid. Now using Jobber, it’s all in one app. We invoice and bill a lot quicker now.

Adrian Garcia of Reliable Kitchen headshot
Adrian Garcia Reliable Kitchen Services

33. Accounting software

Service business owners need accounting software for bookkeeping, payroll, inventory tracking, and monitoring profitability. QuickBooks Online is the best accounting software for plumbing businesses of all sizes that need to manage their accounting and bookkeeping better.

Use QuickBooks Online to track income and expenses, financial reports, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.

Pro Tip: Use Jobber’s Quickbooks integration to keep your data up to date and eliminate double entry.

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