Heating and Air technicians perform many tasks throughout the day, and the volume of calls increases daily, especially when temperatures plummet or soar.
Getting the calls done as quickly as possible keeps clients happy and increases the number of calls that can be done in a day.
Apps have been created especially for use by the HVAC technicians. Using these apps can make the work get done faster to improve productivity and decrease the backlog of calls that are waiting for a technician’s arrival. We have reviewed the best HVAC apps for you.
Quick Comparison: HVAC Apps
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Reviews of the Best HVAC Apps
We have compiled our 10 suggested HVAC apps below and have put together a review for each one. Read the full review of each app below.
1. HVAC Buddy
Places to Get the App:
HVAC Buddy is an app to that is available for both iOS and Android. This app is the one to use when you are new to using a refrigerant. If you are an experienced HVAC technician, this app would be of little use to you because it is something that you know off the top of your head from doing this all the time.
For the new HVAC technicians, after using your pressure gauges to find the pressure, you can enter this information into the HVAC Buddy app along with the temperature. It will calculate the Superheat or Subcooling Target.
The app provides calculations showing the difference between the target and the actual temperature. This helps you diagnose whether the unit is overcharged or leaking. HVAC technicians use this information to know when to add additional refrigerant or to recover refrigerant.
You can calculate either the Subcooling Target or the Superheat Target and be accurate. The Subcooling Target is reportedly the most accurate of the two values. Our favorite feature is that using the app also provides an easy way to send a personalized report to each client after a service call is complete.
You can download the HVAC Buddy app for $9.99 for iOS on iTunes or Google Play for Android devices. This app was last updated to version 4.1 on March 3, 2017 for iOS. It is compatible with iPhone, IPod, and IPad. The Android app was last updated March 15, 2013.
2. Refrigerant Slider
Places to Get the App:
The Refrigerant Slider is an app that performs calculations for the HVAC-R technicians. This tool is a visual way to see the pressure to temperature refrigerant conversion. It includes information about the Global Warming Potential and Ozone Depleting Potential, which are increasingly important to consumers.
It seems to be regularly maintained, as it was just updated within 2 months of our writing this review. It currently covers 69 different refrigerants.
Even though it’s still maintained, it appears to still work fine on older devices, going back as far as Android 3.0.
3. HVAC Check and Charge
Places to Get the App:
The HVAC Check and Charge app is a calculator app available for both iOS and Android. This free app is one that you’ll want to download and try out. It has user-friendly screens that are easy to read and use. However, its range of calculated values is limited to the recommended operating range.
Our warning for using this app is a strong one. Carefully consider the user agreement before using it. You might want to consider using this app on a tablet that doesn’t have access to all of your contact information for your clients along with their e-mail addresses. This app collects that data and shares it with a third party.
This is not necessarily an app that an HVAC technician would use every day, but since it is a free download, you might want to check it out.
4. Carrier Enterprise HVAC Assist
Places to Get the App:
Carrier Enterprise HVAC Assist is a free reference app that is designed to make Carrier your go-to HVAC distributor. This free app features connecting to the Carrier Enterprise stores to see current product availability, equipment models, and Bill of Materials.
One feature that helps HVAC technicians who are out on the job site is the ability to view wiring diagrams and spec sheets in the Carrier Document Library.
If a customer is uncertain whether a Carrier unit is still under warranty, the HVAC technician can search for the serial number of a unit to obtain the warranty entitlement and service history of each Carrier unit. It also features a PT calculator to calculate the refrigerant pressure for each temperature, or the temperature for a pressure reading obtained through using the set of gauges.
In addition to obtaining Carrier Enterprise store information such as telephone numbers, locations, and hours of operation, the app provides notifications of special offers and promotions from Carrier.
The app includes a flashlight feature for use in attics, crawlspaces, and basements.
This app is very useful for those HVAC technicians who service, sell, or install Carrier products. The HVAC technician will be able to locate prices in real time so that quotes are accurate and made quickly.
The app is not flawless. It has a tendency to crash when you open a document library.
This app is one of the most important to the HVAC technician because it provides access to the wiring diagrams that are needed for almost every call to determine the problem.
5. Contractor Estimating and Invoicing Tool by Joist
Places to Get the App:
The Contractor Estimating and Invoicing Tool by Joist is a fabulous free app for HVAC technicians to use on a daily basis. It is a multi-function app that helps technicians calculate and deliver an estimate while on the potential job site. The app allows you to customize your estimates and invoices to provide a professionally designed invoice and estimate.
You can store a list of your labor rates, commonly used materials, and other fees associated with installation or repair. With the ability to forward the invoice or estimate directly from the app, it saves time on paperwork in the office after hours. This app also is compatible with accounting programs so that you can keep track of payments and client billing.
Joist works off the cloud so your data is available from any device. Using an iPad, tablet or phone, you can input your data to customize the invoice as you walk through the jobsite.
One of the best features is the ability to attach photos to your estimates. You can take photos of the problem areas (such as dirty filters that need changing) and can show the problem areas to the client with the solution on the estimate. You can also add photos of before and after for the invoice for quality control.
With a portable printer, you can print out your estimate or invoice directly from the work truck. This is great for the independent HVAC business owner as well as the technician working in the field.
6. HVAC Duct Sizer
Places to Get the App:
Carmel Software Corporation’s app, HVAC Duct Sizer, is a bargain with a purchase price of $6.99. This app is available for both Android and iOS devices. It is comparable to the Trane Ductulator.
The Duct Sizer app allows you to customize the type of flexible duct material that you intend to use and install. This is an app that is most useful to HVAC design engineers rather than the on-site HVAC repair technician or installer. The installer follows the specs that are drawn up by HVAC design engineers to meet regulations for commercial installation or for residential installation that are required to meet the building codes.
7. HVAC Equipment Locator
Places to Get the App:
The HVAC Equipment Locator app is useful for HVAC businesses so that they can track the location and maintenance record of each unit belonging to a client. This works well for tracking equipment located in apartment complexes or large corporate facilities.
The GPS coordinate data pinpoints the location of each unit so that you do not have to hunt for each unit. The data stored in the app can be quickly and easily shared with additional authorized users.
Clients can also be authorized users with limited access. This helps the client be kept in the loop on what has been serviced and provides them with a record of work that has been performed.
This app is free for both Android and iOS.
8. HVAC Toolkit
Places to Get the App:
The HVAC Toolkit app is an expensive app. This particular productivity app costs $23.99. It is a combination of several of the free apps along with those that combine for a $70 value if purchased separately for either Android or iOS.
Of the apps we have reviewed, it contains the HVAC Equipment Locator, HVAC Refrigerant Charge, and the HVAC Duct Sizer. In addition to these it contains the HVAC PT Chart, HVAC Quick Load, Pipe Sizers, Psychrometrics, and Steam Tables. All of these apps would be beneficial to HVAC designers. If you want all of the modules in one place, this app would be ideal for you.
In the iOS version, it automatically adjusts to the screen size, but the Android version does not. This makes the iOS version more user friendly than the Android version.
Conclusion
There are many apps available for HVAC technicians, installers, business owners, and designers. The apps that provide wiring diagrams and specs information are the most useful to HVAC technicians on a daily basis. The app that provides invoice and estimate building is helpful for HVAC independent business owners. New HVAC technicians need the refrigerant calculator apps more than the veterans on the job, but these apps can be useful when working with an unfamiliar refrigerant.
The HVAC apps are designed to make the job easier and integrating them into your workday can improve productivity and increase client satisfaction.
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