HVAC Meter / HVACR Tester

To service, repair and install heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems and equipment, a number of professional HVAC tools are required. Especially when starting out in the HVAC industry, the wide selection of tools and HVAC meter models available can be rather daunting. In addition, as technology evolves, professional HVAC tools become smarter and more efficient, so yesterday's HVAC tool of choice quickly becomes old news. To help HVAC technicians and contractors identify what HVAC test equipment / HVAC meter to buy, the staff at PCE Instruments has put together the following tips on buying professional HVAC tools.

To conduct HVAC system testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB), many different physical and electrical parameters are measured, including temperature, humidity, airflow, pressure, AC and DC voltage, (micro) amperage, resistance, continuity and capacitance. Multipurpose or combination HVAC tools that measure multiple variables can help streamline an HVAC technician's toolkit, so fewer tools are carried around in the field. Multifunction HVAC meter devices are able to perform a variety of measurement tasks at once, successfully replacing multiple traditional meters, as these devices often consist of just one electronic unit with probes of various types. Unlike fixed sensors, multifunction HVAC meters are portable handheld instruments able to perform measurements when and where needed. This affords HVAC technicians with greater flexibility when balancing HVAC system performance throughout a facility. A good example of a multiuse professional HVAC tool is a digital multimeter.

Digital Multimeters used as a HVAC meter
HVAC contractors far and wide agree that a high-quality digital multimeter is a must-have tool for providing professional HVAC service, maintenance and repair. Beyond the normal safety and reliability features needed for any multimeter, at a minimum an HVAC multimeter should offer true RMS measurement with the ability to read voltage, current draw, resistance, continuity and capacitance. A digital multimeter can help an HVAC technician determine if a relay switches properly, if voltage comes to a heater, or if a resistor is defective. Many HVAC contractors believe an HVAC multimeter, to really serve as an HVAC meter, should also have temperature measuring capabilities to allow for accurate readings of air, line and compressor temperatures. However, it is perfectly acceptable to purchase a thermocouple or temperature probe as a multimeter accessory, or even to pick up a seperate thermometer for temperature measurement instead of using an all-in-one HVAC meter.

Temperature and Humidity Measuring Devices used as a HVAC meter
Temperature and humidity play vital roles in the HVAC industry. The HVAC system itself is meant to regulate indoor air temperature and humidity. Therefore, ambient temperature and humidity measurements taken with the right HVAC meter provide decisive guidance as to whether or not an HVAC system is operating properly. Measurements of the temperatures of various HVAC system components, such as heating pipes and radiator supply lines, also can reveal important diagnostic information.

When monitoring the temperature of a heating pipe with an HVAC meter, a temperature sensor should be mounted to the pipe to measure both the flow and the return temperatures. For measurements of boiler, radiator or floor heating system temperatures, an infrared thermometer or thermal imaging camera comes in handy, as these types of HVAC meters measure surface temperatures quickly and easily without contact. To evaluate the performance of a water heater based on water temperature, a thermometer with an immersion sensor is the best HVAC meter to use.

Several multipurpose HVAC meters exist for measuring both temperature and humidity. Often referred to as thermo-hygrometers, these combination thermometer-hygrometer products can be used for ambient non-contact or direct contact temperature measurements. PCE Instruments (PCE) carries a variety of thermo-hygrometers specially designed for quick and easy use in HVAC industry applications. Depending on the specifications of the model, PCE's HVAC thermo-hygrometers can be used for on-the-spot measurements of temperature and humidity or for continuous monitoring of indoor environmental conditions. An HVAC thermo-hygrometer capable of continuous monitoring often has a built-in datalogger that saves temperature and humidity measurements to the internal memory of the HVAC meter or to a removable SD memory card.

Many HVAC thermo-hygrometers also calculate the dew point. For an HVAC technician, the dew point serves as a key indicator as to whether or not an HVAC system is adequately controlling the amount of moisture in an indoor space. Too much moisture can lead to the growth of toxic black mold, causing a serious health hazard.

Anemometers and Manometers used as a HVAC meter
Another key variable used to assess heating and cooling system performance with the help pf a HVAC meter is airflow. The instrument of choice for testing the output and input of HVAC supply and return vents is an anemometer. Handheld impeller anemometers with capture or flow hood attachments are used frequently by HVAC contractors for taking airflow measurements. A flow hood is placed over the vent to isolate the airflow while the impeller anemometer measures the air speed or velocity and calculates the volumetric flow rate.

Alternatively, the probe of a hot-wire anemometer can be placed directly into an air duct to measure the air speed. The advantage of using a hot-wire anemometer is that low-velocity airflows also can be measured. Thus, a hot-wire anemometer is suitable not only for checking ducts, but also for checking window seals as part of an energy audit.

For high-velocity airflow measurements, a digital manometer is the right HVAC meter to use. A digital manometer with a pitot tube can be used to measure airflow and duct velocities. A digital manometer also can be used to determine total external static pressure, zone differential pressure and manifold pressure.

Borescope Inspection Cameras used as a HVAC meter 
In the HVAC industry, contractors and technicians frequently are tasked with looking inside heating and cooling system components to find faults. In many instances, there is little access to these components. For these scenarios, PCE Instruments recommends using a borescope inspection camera as an HVAC meter. Also called industrial endoscopes, borescope inspection cameras come in various cable diameters and lengths allowing unique access to hard-to-reach parts. The photo and video recording capabilities of a borescope inspection camera can be used to document visible damages.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality (IAQ), including air temperature and relative humidity, should be carefully monitored in residential, commercial and industrial buildings, for instance with a PCE HVAC meter. Improper ventilation can have a negative impact on health and safety, triggering everything from allergies and asthma to respiratory problems. During the installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, different parameters such as temperature (including differential), dew point, airflow velocity and humidity are measured with an HVAC meter. To keep IAQ parameters in the recommended range, technicians perform testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems. With the help of the appropriate HVAC measuring equipment, IAQ parameters can be monitored to ensure safe indoor air conditions and optimal HVAC system performance.

Using this brief introduction to the professional HVAC tools found on this website, it should be possible for you to identify the right HVAC meter for your particular HVAC industry application. However, if you have any questions on any HVAC meter model, please don't hesitate to contact PCE's friendly and knowledgeable technical support staff at or +44 (0) 2380 987 035 for PCE Instruments UK, or or +1 (561) 320-9162 for PCE Americas Inc. We are happy to assist.