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Worker servicing a commercial HVAC unit using safety equipment

The HVAC Industry, the Tools Required, and PPE Required

There’s nothing worse than going home after a long day at work and finding out that your air conditioning has been on the blitz. Or, when you arrive at work, the commercial unit that cools the entire building is not working, and the office feels like an oven.

What is HVAC? It’s an acronym for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. This is the system that heats and cools your home and commercial buildings. Workers in the construction industry who are HVAC contractors or plumbers use U.S. NAICS code 238220. If you work for the government, you need to know this code, as it is the number that classifies your business activities. HVAC is a construction sub-industry that employs about 1.1 million people that produce more than $85 billion every year. The 1.1 million people are scattered over more than 111,000 HVAC businesses in the United States. Small businesses can thrive in the HVAC industry, as no companies have over 5 percent of the market share.

System Types

HVAC systems vary in size and type based on the different building sizes and climates. Some of the common types of HVAC systems include:

  • Split System: This is the most common type of HVAC system found in businesses and homes. The exterior unit contains the compressor and condenser, while the interior unit contains the evaporator coils.
  • Zoned System: A zoned system has separate zones so you can set custom temperatures in each room.
  • Ductless: The ductless system fits in many different spaces and has one condenser. It does not use ducts to cool or heat rooms. Instead, you’ll usually find one unit in each room.
  • Heat Pumps: This type is a single unit that heats and cools the building.
  • Packaged Unit: All of the components required to heat and cool the building are contained in one unit. They are quieter than other units and are easier to install.
  • Dual Fuel Heat Pump: Since heat pumps are extremely inefficient below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, homes and businesses in colder parts of the country might use a dual fuel heat pump. This type of system uses a furnace run on natural gas to kick on when the temperature drops below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Two worker servicing a commercial HVAC unit using safety equipment

Employment and Occupations

The HVAC industry needs installers, technicians and mechanics. About 394,100 technicians work on heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration across the United States. The industry, according to the BLS, the industry expects to see a 5 percent increase in workers from 2021 through 2031.

HVAC technicians work on residential, commercial and industrial buildings, including but not limited to single-family homes, apartment buildings, schools, factories, offices, hotels, research labs, and hospitals.

About 64 percent of the workers in the HVACR industry are contractors, while 9 percent are self-employed, 4 percent provide educational services, 4 percent are in the retail trade, and 3 percent are in the wholesale trade.

Work Activities

The HVAC industry has various work activities based on the type of job you have within the industry. Some of the work activities include:

  • Assembling units.
  • Changing motors, fan blades and other moving parts.
  • Cleaning ducts and vents and cleanup after install.
  • Changing filters.
  • Replacing compressors.
  • Connecting equipment to electrical, water, fuel and refrigerant sources.
  • Installing air ducts, flues and pipes.
  • Cutting pipes, metal, ductwork, wires and various other materials.
  • Pipe bending.
  • Drilling.
  • Handling sheet metal.
  • Inspecting and testing components.
  • Installing air duct boots, discharge valves, electrical wiring and switches, refrigerant lines, thermostats and other components.
  • Checking for leaks.
  • Mounting cooling equipment.
  • Repair and replacing defective parts and / or systems, including blower motors.
  • Routine maintenance.
  • Refilling refrigerants.
  • Testing for leaks.
  • Insulating pipes.

Some of these activities need certain hand tools and personal protective equipment.

Tools and Materials

HVAC technicians use various tools, many of which are available at Abolox. Some of the tools required to complete their jobs include:

  • Combustion analyzers, torches and carbon-monoxide detectors
  • Hoses ? Capacitors
  • Breakers
  • Electrical cords
  • Multimeter
  • Manometer measuring equipment
  • Nitrogen to braze and pressure test copper oil
  • Pipe cutters and snips
  • Wrenches
  • Power tools
  • Tool bags
  • Vacuums
  • Pumps
  • Abolox also carries master sets for techs in various industries.

Safety

Because hazards exist in most industries, including the HVAC industry, you need to have personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of injury. Injuries include eye injuries, hand injuries, and chemical burns / injuries. Wearing the proper personal protective equipment, including eye protection, gloves, and chemical-resistant clothing significantly reduces injuries on the job.

Browse through our HVAC-related tools and safety equipment at Abolox to find what you need to keep yourself or your employees safe.

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