10 Best HVAC Books of The Decade (Beginners + Experts)

Aspiring contractors often ask about the best HVAC books of the decade. At HVAC Webmasters, we like to equip everyone in the HVAC field with critical knowledge for success. Although we handle SEO primarily, we are interested in the success of all our clients — no matter their experience.

Without further ado, here are ten of the best HVAC books that you can purchase. They will undoubtedly help make you a better HVAC technician or get you well on your way to becoming one.

1) Electricity For Refrigeration

Because the HVAC industry is so comprehensive, it is impossible to focus on all aspects of just one book. If you want to know all there is to know about the wiring involved in an HVAC unit, this is the book you should consider.

The best part is that it has been revised and updated as the years have passed, so you can be confident that you are getting modern solutions and techniques instead of outdated ones that you would find in an older text.

This book does a good job explaining how electricity works in heating and A/C units and provides simple, easy-to-understand explanations of how to implement repairs.

2) Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology is one of the staples of many HVAC schools, and there are a lot of students who might need it for their classes. Because of the academic necessity, it is one of the most expensive books out there, though it is definitely worth the cost.

If you find yourself looking for something resembling the college theory HVAC experience, this is the book for you. The book covers techniques in repairs and installations of heating and cooling units. It also covers the inner workings, the why and the how, and everything in between.

3) Troubleshooting HVAC-R Equipment

Jim Johnson initially published Troubleshooting HVAC-R Equipment in 1995, but there have been updates to this book as technologies and techniques have changed with it. The one thing that makes this so valuable is all of the information on older units.

Having the information needed to repair these newer units is fine, but there are still plenty of those older units out there that could stump you without the necessary information.

Best of all, this book will walk through both residential and commercial heating and air in a way that is concise and shows well organized steps. You will never feel lost when you have this text to refer to as you continue to learn about the HVAC process and the best way to implement repairs.

Simply put, it is a must-have for HVAC texts for those looking to grow their knowledge base.

4) Step by Step: Passing The EPA 608 Certification Exam

Not just anyone can be a certified HVAC technician; it takes a lot of studying and the ability to pass the necessary certifications to earn that title. Like any test, it requires a lot of learning and a little luck. Thankfully, this book is there to help get you through the process in one piece and as a certified technician.

Step by Step is also an excellent tool for a homeowner looking to save money on refrigerant. If you are HVAC certified, you would be able to buy it yourself instead of going through the traditional method. This book will show you all of the necessary information to pass Type 1, 2, and 3.

5) Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Modern Refrigeration is an excellent book for someone looking to carve out a career path in the HVAC industry or for a person who considers themselves the do-it-yourself type who is just looking to expand their education base.

Among the many topics covered in this text are the theory and techniques for troubleshooting in the heating and cooling repair industry. Even if you have passed your HVAC exam, it is a great refresher to continue your education and keep you as prepared for any scenario as you possibly can be.

6) Low Pressure Boilers

Meet perhaps the most on-the-nose book on this list. Most of the other texts that you have read about or will read about are about the HVAC industry in general. But if you have ever had specific questions about low-pressure boilers, this is the one for you.

Low Pressure Boilers is a comprehensive guide that will teach you all you need to know about the low-pressure boiler’s ins and outs.

After a quick run-through as well as a little bit of experience, you will become an expert when it comes to low-pressure boilers and will never run into a scenario that leaves you stumped again. A must-have if you deal with this type of boiler regularly.

7) Residential Construction Academy HVAC

Residential Construction Academy is another excellent text on the HVAC systems’ ins and outs and how they work. The book is a perfect tool for students, mainly as it is very educational and uses practical examples to help students with their education.

Though you should reference multiple texts along your educational path, this is one of those books that will make things way easier along the way. Amazon reviews are not as kind to this text as it is to others on the list, but it is definitely worth the trouble of looking over and reading through.

8) Refrigeration and AC Technology Lab Manual

Refrigeration and AC Technology Lab Manual began as a text used years and years ago before new updates, thanks to the development of technology and repair and installation methods. Still, the book’s foundation remains stable, making it one of the better options out there for students.

The Tech Lab Manual was one of the primary texts in the early 2000s, but the principles remained the same. Its price has dropped to make it a more affordable option for students or those who wish to learn independently. Newer and more relevant HVAC books are available, but this is one of the best around for the value.

9) HVAC Level 1 Trainee Guide

The Level 1 Trainee Guide is is the perfect book if you are looking to get certified as an HVAC technician. It strikes a balance of addressing beginners and students closer to certification. T

he book serves as a valuable addition to any collection and provides neophytes with countless skills and invaluable information for becoming a DIY HVAC technician.

Even if you are currently certified, it couldn’t hurt to go back and bone up on some basics. After all, a solid foundation is key to any job, and building up your foundation with this guide will only help solidify the knowledge you already possess.

10) HVAC Level 2 Trainee Guide

The Level 2 Trainee Guide is the next edition in the previous section (Level 1 Trainee Guide), but it is just as valuable to both certified and amateur HVAC aficionados. The second installment builds on techniques described in the first guide and helps contractors take the next step in their development.

It doesn’t get comprehensive or complicated – that comes later and with further study – but it helps to grow your already established knowledge base and buffers that information to add to any experience that you may have as well.

The Level 2 Trainee Guide might be more of a niche book, but it is an excellent addition to any HVAC library and can help aspiring or current HVAC technicians.

Benefits of Reading HVAC Books

The HVAC industry remains strong because, like it or not, technology will fail or need repair from time to time. And being a good HVAC technician is just as much about your knowledge base as it is the experience you acquire.

After all, how can you gain that experience if you don’t already have the knowledge to do the job correctly? That is where having the right texts in your corner can benefit your progression into a fully certified HVAC technician.

Or maybe you are the do-it-yourself type and want to get the knowledge necessary to implement your HVAC repairs. Having the right books will go a long way towards allowing you to put forth those repairs independently without the expensive costs that hiring an HVAC technician can bring with it.

Whatever your reasoning, there are a few books that you need to have in your collection to grow your knowledge as a burgeoning HVAC technician or do-it-yourself HVAC technician. When you have the right books on your side, you can build your knowledge base to a formidable level.

It is important to remember that not all books hold equal value. Some books were once industry standards but have since grown outdated.

Sure, some of these include the necessary updates to accommodate technology developments. Still, you will want to ensure you do your homework before picking a book. The last thing you want is to get some archaic tome that fails to build your knowledge base.