Having a good refrigerant scale is an important tool for an HVAC technician, mainly when adding refrigerant to a system.
Knowing the exact amount of refrigerant that is added to a system is crucial in getting a job done right.
What is an HVAC Refrigerant Scale?
An HVAC refrigerant scale measures the amount of refrigerant that has gone into a system by weight.
Since all HVAC systems need a set amount of refrigerant to work, measuring the correct amount is very important.
Too little or too much refrigerant, and the unit will not work correctly.
Every system has the amount of refrigerant needed, labeled on the unit or in a manual.
Below are our picks for the best HVAC refrigerant scale; with the many units available, there are no doubt many opinions on the best.
As always, be sure to read the reviews on Amazon, forums, or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Our Picks for Best HVAC Refrigerant Scale
- Robinair TIF9010A
- Mastercool 98210
- Yellow Jacket 68862
- Kozyvacu
Robinair TIF9010A Slimline Refrigerant Electronic Charging/Recover Scale
The best HVAC refrigerant scale is a question that no-doubt is arguable, but in my opinion, the Robinair TIF9010A Slimline is the best refrigerant scale around.
The design had been around for years and used by HVAC techs old and new, so there are no questions about how it works.
Anyone who works in the HVAC industry has definitely seen one of these as they are the most widely used.
The case is solid and is meant to be used for years. The layout is simple, with the tank sitting on the pad and a removable display to show the refrigerant tank weight.
But the most important fact is its durability which is what sets apart an HVAC scale from a standard scale.
A refrigerant scale must be able to take the wear and tear that a regular scale can’t give all the while being able to give exact weight measurements.
And the Robinair TIF9010A can give some exact weight measurements. I have even used mine to calculate online shipping costs.
It has a 110Lb capacity so it can handle both 30 and 50Lb cylinders with no problem.
It can display Pounds, Ounces or Kilograms.
It is also powered by a standard 9-volt battery that lasts a long time.
Mastercool is another top tool manufacturer that makes the 98210 weight scale.
It has many nice features, such as a 240-pound bottle capacity, programmable alarm, and auto-off.
The keypad and display is on a long cord that has a good reach.
The Mastercool 98210 is a good unit that will no doubt give many years of use.
The Yellow Jacket 68862 is another nice unit from a top HVAC tool manufacturer.
It is a 220-pound scale that has a remote control module tethered to the unit with a long cord.
The unit is built very durable and comes with a carry bag making it very portable and easy to carry about.
Available Here on Amazon
This unit from Kozyvacu is low-cost and good for anyone on a budget.
It comes with a heavy carry case, runs from a 9-volt battery, and has a display with a long cord.
While not top-end and a low-cost budget scale it would be good for a backup unit, DIY homeowner, or a part-time HVAC technician.
How Does a Refrigerant Scale Work?
A scale works by weighing the amount of refrigerant that is released into a system.
All HVAC equipment will have a rated amount in pounds how much refrigerant it can hold.
This amount needs to be exact for the equipment to operate correctly.
Weighing a tank and watching a scale will give the exact amount of refrigerant that has gone into an HVAC system.
This is done by setting a tank on the scale, attaching it to a manifold gauge set and letting refrigerant into the system.
Summary
If you are an HVAC tech looking for a good basic and accurate digital refrigerant scale for charging and recovery, there are many available.
With the many available, be sure to shop around for one that fits you.
If you are a professional HVAC tech finding a unit that is durable and lasts a long time with accurate readings will be best.
If you are a DIY homeowner or part-time tech, a budget unit may be a better option and cost less.
Do you have a favorite HVAC refrigerant scale? Let us know in the comments below.
I had a fieldpiece scale years ago. I threw it off of a 50 story building. NO JOKE. Every time I need to weigh in a lot of refrigerant the scale will power off on its own. Then my refrigerant continues to charge into the ac system while my scale is turned off. So I have to stand there and stare at the scale. An ex coworker has a fieldpiece scale and he said he has the same problem. Oh yea also in the middle of charging the wireless remote looses connection with the scale. Sometimes to re-sync the scale was a pain. Not to mention it forgets where it left off. Did fieldpiece correct these issues?