Whether you’re a beginner or an expert technician, there’s always something new to learn in the HVAC business. And what better way than reading HVAC books?
We’ve prepared this comprehensive guide to help you find some of the best HVAC books to read. You’ll find everything from HVAC troubleshooting tips to strategies for marketing your business and more.
The first part of our guide covers the best HVAC beginner books, where we’ll provide a brief synopsis of the books, the values they offer, and the topics captured. Likewise, for part two, we’ll take a look at the best HVAC books for technicians or experts, highlighting their benefits and what makes them unique.
Parts three and four will provide quick highlights of HVAC study and troubleshooting books. Then we’ll sign off with invaluable tips for expanding your HVAC career and knowledge base beyond books.
Best HVAC Books for Beginners
Our carefully selected HVAC books for beginners will help you build your knowledge base and prepare you for success. They include titles like How to Install Air Conditioning Technology Systems, HVAC Fundamentals, Heating, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Basics. Let’s take a closer look:
Residential Construction Academy HVAC
The residential construction academy HVAC book provides a comprehensive overview of residential construction techniques, including the basics of plumbing, electrical work, framing, drywall installation, insulation, fire protection, roofing, residential heating, and more.
It also includes detailed information on installing ductwork, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, fans, and other components. It’s an excellent read for anyone who wants to learn more about HVAC systems, whether you’re working on a residential project or not.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 8th Edition
This title offers complete coverage of refrigerants and air conditioner technology, covering all major types of equipment, including split systems, packaged units, and central air conditioning.
It also covers energy efficiency, maintenance, safety issues, and the latest trends and technologies. It is a must-have resource if you want to stay current on HVAC technology.
Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) Twentieth Edition, Textbook
Our third textbook for HVAC beginners provides a thorough introduction to modern refrigeration and air conditioning technology, including basic principles, applications, materials, and design considerations. It also features a wealth of practical examples and case studies, making it ideal for classroom use and self-study.
Audel HVAC Fundamentals
James E Brumbaugh takes a traditional approach in his text on HVAC fundamentals, providing a solid foundation for understanding the science behind HVAC systems. It includes chapters on airflow, compressors, cooling towers, fan motors, controls, and much more. We highly recommend this read if you’re new to HVAC.
Best HVAC Expert Books
If you’ve been around the block a time or two, then you know that there’s always something new to learn when it comes to HVAC technology. With so many different options available today, you need to be able to keep up with the latest developments, which is why we’ve chosen some of the most popular HVAC books from leading experts. Here are a few of our favorites:
HVAC Spells Wealth
In this book, author Ron Smith shares his expertise in making money through HVAC services. You’ll find out everything from how to get started to what to charge, plus he gives tips on how to grow your business and avoid common mistakes. If you want to improve your skills and earn more money, this book is a great place to start.
HVAC Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb
David W. Stambaugh has written several books on HVAC, but this one is arguably the best known. In addition to offering a comprehensive guide to HVAC equations, data, and rules of thumb, it contains a handy glossary and index of terms. The book is organized into three parts: Fundamentals, Equipment, and Systems. Each chapter focuses on a specific topic, such as HVAC, indoor air quality, and building commissioning.
The Power of Positive Pricing
Matt Michel is an expert on pricing strategies, and he shows you exactly how to apply them to any type of service. He discusses the importance of setting prices based on value, not cost, and explains how to price each component of a job correctly. Learn about fixed and variable pricing pros and cons, and discover ways to increase profits while cutting costs.
6 Steps To Grow Your HVAC Business
In his book, Christopher Smith offers advice and insightful tips on building a successful small business, including marketing, sales, and customer service. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to run their own HVAC company.
HVAC Business: A Detailed Business and Marketing Plan
This step-by-step guidebook is designed to help you create a detailed marketing strategy for your HVAC business. It covers all aspects of running a successful HVAC company, including hiring employees, managing finances, and developing a solid brand. Go for this book if you’d like to take your business to the next level.
Best HVAC Study Books
If you’re interested in pursuing HVAC academically or expanding your HVAC expertise, these HVAC training books will set you on that path. Some of the titles below include:
Guide to NATE/ICE Certification Exams 3rd Edition
NATE/ICE certification exams have become increasingly important in recent years. They’re required for technicians working in commercial settings, and they can also open doors to higher pay and better jobs. But passing the exam isn’t easy! That’s where this guidebook comes in. Written by industry professionals, it provides clear explanations of every HVAC theory and practical questions asked on the exam, along with sample answers and practice tests.
ESCO Institute Section 608 Certification Exam Preparatory Manual for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technicians
With the ESCO section 608 certification exam coming up soon, now is the time to prepare! This manual includes a complete review of the test format, information on the types of questions you may encounter, and sample test questions. Plus, practice tests are included to help you see what you need to know before taking the real thing.
HVAC Licensing Study Guide, Third Edition
Licensing requirements vary from state to state, but most require training and testing before working independently as an HVAC technician. This study guide helps you pass those tests and gives you everything you need to know about licensing laws and regulations. You’ll learn about the different types of licenses available, as well as the differences between contractors and subcontractors.
Best HVAC Troubleshooting Books
These books provide more than basic troubleshooting knowledge; they offer practical guidance on diagnosing problems quickly and efficiently. If you want to fix things yourself, these books will give you the skills you need rather than send out an HVAC technician.
HVAC Troubleshooting Guide
Rex Miller’s HVAC troubleshooting guidebook contains hundreds of illustrations and diagrams, making it an invaluable resource for any HVAC technician. The book starts with a chapter on common problems then moves into individual components such as compressors, motors, valves, fans, pumps, and heat exchangers.
System Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Procedures
This book is perfect for anyone who wants to understand how to diagnose and repair their HVAC system. It walks through each part of the process step-by-step, explaining exactly what needs to be done and when. There are many helpful tips throughout, including advice on using diagnostic tools and how to use them properly.
Beyond HVAC Books
The section below provides more ways to expand your reading, knowledge, and business skills beyond HVAC books. So please read on!
Comprehension/Notating Tips
Here, we share quick tips on how to use one book to inspire your next read:
- Take notes on people and topics that you might further want to learn more about
- Use the index or table of contents to find specific pages
- Look at photos and drawings to help you remember details
Network
Networking is essential if you want to succeed in today’s competitive HVAC industry. Be sure to search for the author or any relevant people mentioned in HVAC books and see if you can connect with them online. Or find a forum where other HVAC professionals are discussing reading/books. Or attend local events.
Podcasts
HVAC podcasts are excellent forums where you can listen to audio recordings of various HVAC industry experts or authors talking about their experiences and insights. They’re also great because you can listen to them anywhere, even while driving. Podcasts for a licensed hvac technician vary between topics discussed and hosts; If you are looking for recommendations, you can find a list here!
Subscribe to Industry Publications
If you don’t already subscribe to an HVAC industry publication, now would be a good time to start. Not only do publications often have exclusive content, but subscribing means you won’t miss out on new updates.
Become The Best HVAC Technician You Can Be!
So there you go! We hope this comprehensive resource has been helpful to you, and you’ve earmarked a few HVAC books to add to your library.
At HVAC Marketing Engine, we take pride in helping HVAC businesses like yours realize their growth goals through strategic and targeted advertising. Our team of experienced marketers leverages proven HVAC marketing strategies to create powerful campaigns that deliver results.
So don’t get left behind. If you want to learn more about how we can work together to grow your HVAC business, we invite you to get in touch today!