Meters & Gauges

HVAC Q&A Episode 9: Tools for Working With A2Ls

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Tool manufacturers explain the broad categories of tools that might need an update to comply with new A2L refrigerant systems: leak detectors, manifolds, vacuum pumps, recovery machines, and gauges that can sense R-454B.

Tips for Residential Heating Combustion Analysis

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

The biggest tip is that combustion analysis should be the first and last thing completed during any heating appliance repair.

Refrigeration Manifold Gauges: Digital vs. Mechanical

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Technicians have the choice of using either a digital or mechanical manifold gauge. Each one has its benefits and disadvantages, which is why it may pay to own one of each kind.

Enter to Win a Trip to the Sixth Annual RIDGID Experience 2023

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0400

RIDGID will select six winners for a VIP experience at its global headquarters.

Tools/Test Instruments: Getting Connected

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Contractors are seeking tools that are equipped to handle A2L refrigerants, offer Bluetooth and wireless compatibility, operate efficiently, save the user time, and are safe to utilize.

Time to Consider Pascals for Static Pressure Measurements

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0400

Is it time for our industry to consider using pascals for static pressure measurements? What would the transition from inches of water column to pascals look like and how hard would it be?

Growing Trends in Tool Technology Bring Benefits for Technicians

GordonWhite@achrnews.com (Gordon White) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Technological developments are consistently improving the tools technicians have to use.

Tools Roundup for HVACR Pros: Measure, Carry, Flare, and More

robertbeverly@achrnews.com (Robert Beverly) — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -0500

This brief year-end tool review rounds up a handful of items that might make the work a little easier in 2021.

HVAC Tools Are Becoming More Advanced, Leading to Profit Opportunities

GordonWhite@achrnews.com (Gordon White) — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0400

Investing in the right tools will save your employees’ time and avoid delaying repairs in the rush of summer.

Contractors Discuss How to Handle Tool Policies With Technicians

GordonWhite@achrnews.com (Gordon White) — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Summer cooling season is in full gear, which means that both technicians and their tools are being kept extremely busy.

2020 Dealer Design Awards: Testing & Monitoring Products

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 04:03:00 -0400

Badger Meter won Gold in the Testing and Monitoring category for its Dynasonics® TFX-5000 ultrasonic clamp-on meter, which measures volumetric flow and heating/cooling energy rates in clean liquids, as well as those with small amounts of suspended solids or aeration, such as surface water or raw sewage.

The Energy Conservatory: Bluetooth Connected Gauge

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 03:58:00 -0500

Now available with Bluetooth, this product provides users full access to all features of their devices, such as apps and email.

A Guide to Digital Manifolds and Smart Devices For Refrigeration Technicians

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 04:00:00 -0500

The most important features of electronic measuring devices have been established in customer surveys and are discussed in this article.

Fieldpiece Instruments Inc.: Power Clamp Test Meters

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 04:05:00 -0500

These products work with the Fieldpiece Job Link System App for on-the-go testing and reporting for HVACR electrical tests.

PCE Instruments: Infrared Thermometer

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 07:17:00 -0400

This product displays the temperature as real images with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and infrared images with a resolution of 33 x 33 pixels.

Why You Should Study Your Technicians’ Readings

allen.reed@onestopcooling.com (Allen Reed) — Mon, 13 May 2019 07:30:00 -0400

One Stop Cooling studies technicians’ readings recorded on service calls. If you do the same, you might be surprised with the mistakes you find.

Flir Systems Inc.: Environment Meter

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 07:29:00 -0400

Based on hygrometer technology, this product identifies deviations from ambient rh levels, which can cause static hazards at manufacturing sites and discomfort in homes and offices.

Extech, a division of Flir Systems Inc.: IAQ Meter

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 07:14:00 -0400

This handheld device displays CO, CO₂, air temperature, rh, dew point, and wet bulb temperature measurements.

A Beginning HVAC Tech’s Guide for Understanding Superheat

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 07:30:00 -0400

Much like subcooling, understanding and calculating superheat can be somewhat difficult for newbie technicians.

Yellow Jacket Celebrates 70 Years in HVACR

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 06:48:00 -0500

It was a celebration for Yellow Jacket as the company kicked off its 70th anniversary. In a square booth with a large, lit banner, attendees were invited to explore what the company had produced from 1949 to 2019.

Fieldpiece Puts Techs in the Driver’s Seat With Customizable HVACR Tools

aa8701@nyu.edu (Amy Al-Katib) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 06:23:00 -0500

The Fieldpiece booth commanded a lot of attention on the show floor at this year’s AHR Expo in Atlanta. Those who didn’t have time to wait in line to find out why may be wondering, “What was all the rage about?”

Don’t Be a One-Gauge Technician

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 07:29:00 -0500

When servicing a refrigeration system, it is important to accurately determine the true cause of the failure. Misdiagnosing the problem can often create additional system issues for you and the customer.

ABCs of Externally Equalized TXVs

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 07:16:00 -0500

The TXV also simultaneously controls a set amount of evaporator superheat while, under these same conditions, assuming the range and capacity of the valve is not exceeded.

MRU Instruments Inc.: Touchscreen Manometer

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 07:24:00 -0500

The device measures pressure, temperature, flow, and other parameters. Five different ranges are available from ±30 inches of water column to ±100 psi.

HVAC Tools Are Getting Smarter

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 07:34:00 -0500

Advancements in technology have brought a lot of opportunity to the tool market, with items like reporting, mobile apps, and wireless data transmission.

Wireless, Feature-Rich Products Top Electronic and Hand Tools

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 07:29:00 -0400

The 8 CFM Vacuum Pump from Fieldpiece Instruments earned its place atop the Electronic and Hand Tools category.

Electrical Tester Evolution Earns Fluke Gold in Testing and Monitoring

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 07:22:00 -0400

Taking home the golden honors in the Testing and Monitoring category of this year’s Dealer Design Awards is the T6 Electrical Tester from Fluke Corp. The product, first introduced to the marketplace in September 2017, went through years of research before launching.

Smart Tools Are Making HVAC Industry Device Driven

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:33:00 -0400

Smart tools continue to grow in the HVACR industry, spurring manufacturers to create connected, digital devices that will make work in the field less manual and more automatic.

HVAC Manufacturers Remain Committed to Hand Tool Market

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:31:00 -0400

While “smart” tools and tablets are becoming more and more common in an HVAC tech’s toolbox, there are still plenty of things an app just can’t do.

HVAC Manufacturers turn to Voice Controlled Comfort

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 07:33:00 -0400

Technology is redefining how consumers control their homes. That includes everything from lighting to mood music to heating and air conditioning.