Recommended Books & Tools
Reference books, vacuum and leak-detection equipment, and recovery tools we recommend for HVAC and refrigeration technicians sitting City & Guilds 2079 / EU F-Gas Regulation 517/2014.
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Reference Books
Printed references that map directly onto the City & Guilds 2079 syllabus and EU F-Gas Regulation 517/2014 — the books every Cat-1 candidate keeps within arm's reach.
F-Gas Reference Manual, 2nd Edition (Kelly, Cook & Creamer)
The reference text behind the page numbers cited in our answer explanations. Written for the mandatory EU 517/2014 refrigeration qualification by Kelvin Kelly, Martin Cook and Mike Creamer, and published by Business Edge Ltd (ISBN 9780992760434).
Why we recommend it: When an explanation cites a page number, this is the book it means. Four sections cover refrigerant properties and environmental impact, legislation and regulations, refrigeration theory and components, and the related European standards. Also sold direct by the publisher at businessedgeltd.co.uk, and often supplied by training providers as the course text.
Refrigerant Tracking Log Book for HVAC/Refrigeration Engineers
A pocket log book for the refrigerant records every Cat-I engineer must maintain under (EU) 517/2014 — leak checks, charge added and recovered, and engineer sign-off.
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (5th Ed., G.F. Hundy)
The Institute of Refrigeration's recommended technical textbook. Refrigeration cycle theory, refrigerant properties, oils, controls, and system design — the underlying physics behind everything the F-Gas exam tests.
Why we recommend it: If you want to actually understand the numbers our Superheat / Subcooling and System Performance calculators output (and not just punch them in), this is the book. SG1 Thermodynamics, SG6 Compressors, SG8 Evaporators all cite Hundy.
Test Equipment & Vacuum
Vacuum pumps, micron gauges, and electronic leak detectors used on the practical assessments and the legally mandated leak-check intervals.
NAVAC NP12DM 12 CFM 2-Stage Vacuum Pump
DC dual-stage 12 CFM pump capable of pulling below 5 microns. Brushless motor, oversized intake, and the dependability needed for repeat triple-evacuation cycles on commercial systems.
Why we recommend it: F-Gas regulators expect a deep evacuation (typically <500 micron, with 250-micron triple-evac for commercial work) before charging. This is the workhorse pump for the SG10 Pipework & Brazing practical and the kind of contamination-free vacuum the SG3 Pre-Op Checks topic walks through.
Mastercool 90066-B 6 CFM Single-Stage Vacuum Pump
Single-stage 6 CFM pump from the same product family every UK refrigeration college owns. Lighter, cheaper, and fine for split AC and most domestic heat-pump work.
Why we recommend it: The college / apprentice pick. If you'll be tested on a 90066 in the practical, train on a 90066. Pair it with the RAVG-1 below and you've got a credible evacuation rig for under £500.
Robinair RAVG-1 Digital Micron Vacuum Gauge
MEMS-Pirani sensor reading down to 10 microns with a backlit display. Reads through oil contamination far better than analogue gauges and survives dropping off the back of the van.
Why we recommend it: The only credible way to verify a system has actually been evacuated, not just pumped down. Pair with whichever pump you own — the SG3 Pre-Op Checks practical expects you to call out a number, not a needle.
Mastercool 56100 Blue Raptor Refrigerant Leak Detector
Corona-discharge sensor sensitive to CFC, HCFC, HFC and HFO refrigerants. Six-level visual + audible alarm, replaceable sensor, and the responsiveness needed for a methodical bubble-by-bubble walk-around.
Why we recommend it: The leak detector that satisfies the legally mandated check intervals under (EU) 517/2014 Article 4 — 12, 6, or 3 months by CO2-eq tonnage. Used hands-on in our SG4 Leak Detection topic and our CO2-eq calculator decides which interval applies.
Elitech Digital Manifold Gauge Set (multi-refrigerant)
Digital manifold gauge set with saturation-temperature readout for pressure-testing and charging across the refrigerants the F-Gas exam covers.
Elitech 2-Way Digital Manifold Gauge with Clamp Thermometers
Higher-spec digital gauge with clamp thermometers for superheat and subcooling checks on the performance topics.
Recovery & Hand Tools
Recovery machines, flaring tools, and brazing torches for the two pass/fail practical tasks on the C&G 2079 assessment.
Mastercool 69350 Twin Turbo Refrigerant Recovery System
Oil-less twin-cylinder recovery machine for the C&G 2079 pass/fail recovery practical across R410A, R134a and R22.
Appion G5TWIN Twin Cylinder Recovery Unit
Industry-icon twin-cylinder recovery machine. Faster pull-down, oversized internal ports, and the build quality refrigeration techs swap stories about — "speed of Appion" is the gospel.
Why we recommend it: Pro alternative to the RG6 if you're going to be doing recovery for a living. Same SG5 Refrigerant Handling topic, faster cycle time, and resale value that holds for years.
Yellow Jacket 60278 Deluxe 45° Flaring Tool
Eccentric-cone flaring tool covering 1/8" to 3/4" OD copper. R-410A-rated 45° flares, ratcheting yoke, and the precision needed for a leak-free mechanical joint.
Why we recommend it: Mechanical-joint quality is on the SG10 Pipework & Brazing practical mark sheet. A bad flare is a leak; a leak is a fail. This is the tool most UK college rigs use, and the technique covered on the SG10 topic page.
Rothenberger Super-Fire 2 Brazing Torch
Up to 2,400°C with MAPP gas. Push-button piezo ignition, screw-on torch head, and a flame profile suited to silver-soldering refrigeration pipework.
Why we recommend it: Brazing is the second mandatory pass/fail practical on the C&G 2079. The Health & Safety topic also covers the hot-work permit and PPE requirements that come with running a torch on site — both shown on the H&S topic page.
Pair Them With Our App
460+ City & Guilds 2079 practice questions across 11 skill groups plus Health & Safety, 5 calculator categories (CO2-equivalent / leak rate / superheat & subcooling / system performance / charge limits), and a full F-Gas Regulation 517/2014 reference — built for the same exam these books and tools help you pass.
