Common Tools You May See Your HVAC Tech Use During A Typical Service Call

Issues with your home's central air conditioner system can be frustrating, but, thankfully, there are many air conditioning system service providers available who can help. You may have a good idea of what a technician can do, but what many homeowners do not know is just how diverse the list of tools can be that a technician will bring with them on a service call. Take a look at a few common tools you may see your HVAC technician use on a typical service call. 

Refrigerant Meter 

A refrigerant meter is a must for every HVAC technician. This tool serves an important purpose; it allows the technician to measure the refrigerant pressure inside an air unit. The refrigerant must be held at a certain level in order for the unit to function as efficiently as possible. Too much or too little pressure due to a leak or an overfill can drastically affect the functionality of the system. The handheld refrigerant meter allows the technician to get a clear and accurate reading of refrigerant levels within the lines so they can add more refrigerant as needed. 

Electronic Multimeter 

An electronic multimeter, which may also be referred to as a VOM or a multitester, gives the technician the ability to measure several electrical functions by connecting the meter to a certain HVAC system component. Multimeters can measure things like AC or DC current, voltage levels, and other electrical functions flowing through a component. For example, if the technician suspects there may be an issue with one of the wires to your air conditioner, they may pull out an electronic multimeter to see if there is a strong current flowing through a connecting wire. From there, they can decide whether to move forward with replacing a wire or component. 

Thermometer

Every good HVAC technician will have one tool in their toolkit that is as simple as tools can be but ever-important when working on HVAC systems and air conditioners. A handheld thermometer can take measurements of the interior temperature and humidity levels in the house. If a technician suspects the air conditioner is not functioning properly or if they suspect there are issues with the thermostat, they can quickly check with the thermometer to aid in the diagnosis of problems. For example, if your thermostat says it is 75 degrees in the house but the technician gets a reading of 80 from their thermometer, it means the thermostat is not working properly and may need to be replaced.