7/19/2017 Superheat and Subcooling: The Best Ways to Ensure Proper Refrigerant Charge

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Superheat and Subcooling: The Best Ways to Ensure Proper Refrigerant

Charge

Proper performance of heat pumps and air conditioners are determined by

many factors, but chief among them is proper refrigerant charge

SERVICE CLINIC BY KEVIN ONEILL, CM | May 18, 2017

Measuring Superheat

For many years residential air conditioners used pistons as metering devices, and
you will still commonly encounter these systems. The piston looks like a small
brass or bronze bullet, with a calibrated hole drilled through the center. The size
of the hole, along with the pressure drop across the hole, determines how much
refrigerant flows through the system.

Most of the systems with piston metering devices are charged by the suction
superheat method. Manufacturers of these systems typically provide a charging
chart or slide rule to properly charge their systems. Sometimes these charts are
available from your wholesaler. If youre fortunate, they may be included inside the
service panel of the unit that youre servicing.
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Normally the charts will require an indoor wet bulb temperature reading as well as
an outdoor dry bulb temperature reading. The indoor wet bulb reading reflects the
total heat of the air and, therefore, the total loading on the indoor coil, both
sensible and latent. The outdoor dry bulb temperature will affect how well the
system can reject heat to the outdoor air. In the case of the outdoor air theres no
latent heat involved. Once you determine the indoor wet bulb and outdoor dry bulb
temperatures, check the manufacturers charging chart to determine the proper
suction superheat.

To measure suction superheat, attach your gauge manifold to the suction

service port on the outdoor unit. Do not use the common suction pressure port on
a heat pump because the pressure drop through the reversing valve will affect the
pressure reading. Take the pressure reading and use a temperature-pressure chart
to convert that reading to the saturated temperature of the refrigerant that the
system uses. Note that most gauges have the commonly used refrigerants shown on
the gauges. This is especially true of the newer digital gauges.

Next, attach an accurate digital thermometer to the suction line near the suction
gauge port. Its usually best to insulate the thermometer probe so that its not
affected by the ambient air. The temperature that you measure should be warmer
than the saturated refrigerant temperature. The difference between the saturated
suction temperature and the measured suction line temperature is the suction
superheat.

Add refrigerant to lower the suction superheat. Recover refrigerant to increase the
suction superheat. Note that you should never add refrigerant if the superheat is
already 5F or less, even if the charging chart shows 0F. You dont want to
overcharge the system if your thermometer or gages are not perfectly accurate.
Overcharging can damage the compressor and will also reduce both the capacity
and efficiency of the system.

Note that if the suction superheat is correct and the suction pressure is low, the
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system probably has low airflow. Correct the airflow problem and check the charge
again.

Measuring Subcooling

On many newer systems, especially high efficiency systems, thermostatic

expansion valves (TXVs) are used. Expansion valve systems are normally charged
by using the subcooling method. Liquid sub-cooling is required so that you have
only liquid entering the expansion valve with no bubbles present. Vapor bubbles
present in the refrigerant will cause low refrigerant flow. Low refrigerant flow will
cause a loss of capacity and efficiency in a cooling system.

Liquid sub-cooling is normally measured at the liquid line service valve. The
manufacturer will usually specify the required sub-cooling on the outdoor unit
service panel. Its usually between 5F and 15F, but always go by the manufacturers
requirements.

To measure liquid subcooling, attach your gauge manifold to the liquid line
service port. If you use a quick-connect fitting on the end of your hose, make sure
its a low-loss fitting. Ive seen some quick-connect fittings that allow pressure loss,
which can cause inaccuracies in the charging procedure.

MENU
Take a pressure reading. Use a temperature-pressure chart to convert LOG
SEARCH theINpressure
REGISTER

to the saturated condensing temperature of the refrigerant.

Next, attach an accurate digital thermometer to the liquid line. Its usually best to
insulate the thermometer probe so that its not affected by the ambient air. The
temperature that you read with the thermometer should be lower than the
saturated condensing temperature. The difference between the measured liquid
line temperature and the saturated condensing temperature is the liquid
subcooling. Add refrigerant to increase subcooling. Recover refrigerant to reduce
subcooling.

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7/19/2017 Superheat and Subcooling: The Best Ways to Ensure Proper Refrigerant Charge

Note that if the subcooling and superheat are correct, and the suction pressure is
low, the system probably has low air flow. Correct the airflow problem and check
the charge again.

When charging by the subcooling method, you should be sure to check the suction
superheat as well. If the expansion valve goes bad, you can have a very low suction
superheat when you have the proper subcooling. In some cases its not possible to
achieve the required subcooling without having a superheat of zero degrees. If you
get zero degrees superheat with a TXV, then the TXV is defective and will need to
be replaced.

The Weigh-in Method

One other method of charging is the weigh-in method. The weigh-in method can be
very accurate if you know the exact length of the refrigerant lines. The outdoor unit
usually comes charged with enough refrigerant for the outdoor unit, a standard
indoor unit, and 15 or 25 ft. of line set. You must add refrigerant for any line length
over what is specified by the manufacturer. You may also have to add or remove
refrigerant depending on what indoor unit or indoor coil is used. Even if you
charge by weigh-in its still a good practice to check the charge using the subcooling
or superheat methods, to ensure that everything is operating properly.

Kevin ONeill, CM, is the co-owner of ONeill-Bagwell Cooling & Heating, Myrtle
Beach, SC. He has 35 years of experience in the HVAC service business and is a 28-
year member of Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES). Kevin can be
reached at 843/385-2220, or by email at koneill@sc.rr.com.

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MAY 18, 2017 Team

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Subcooling and Superheat: Superheroes CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2015 Residential and
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AWARDS > QUALITY HOME COMFORT

Quality Home Comfort Awards: Comfort 'House Call' Brings Rx for Relief

Terry McIver | Jul 19, 2017

START SLIDESHOW

Multiple home systems working out of sync were causing much discomfort,
including accelerated allergy conditions. Tom Casey, Jr. and Gri n Service
had the remedy.

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Quality HVAC contrators often encounter larger homes with multiple heating and
air conditioning systems that were installed at various times during the homes
history. Unfortunately, these various systems are not always brought together to
function as a cohesive home comfort system.

This was the scenario Tom Casey, Jr. found with a new customer living near his
office in St. Johns, Fla.

The customer, Dr. Scott Liggett, had the homes

systems upgraded independently, without an overall
plan for the home.

Being a direct oceanfront home, there were several

challenges, especially controlling humidity year-
round, which none of the existing systems
addressed. Additionally, Mrs Liggett had allergies
that were triggered by the home environment. This
was a case of homeowner dissatisfaction with the
overall comfort and performance of the existing
systems.
Thankfully, Tom Casey, Jr. with the team from his new company, Griffin Service,
soon found the right prescription for home comfort.

As any good doctor will do, Casey took the time to listen to the clients goals and
objectives, and examined the patient before suggesting a remedy.

We found several challenges, including incorrectly sized and installed ductwork in

portions of the home, as well as microbial contamination in the units and supply
plenums due to low airflow issues, Casey explains. We calculated all loads, and
determined that some of the systems were incorrectly oversized, exasperating the
lack of humidity control. Inadequate IAQ systems had been installed, which were
actually doing more harm than good.

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The Griffin Service team removed the three systems, including substantial portions
of the duct systems. An assessment of the attic areas found that attic temperatures
were reaching excessive levels, and negatively impacting system comfort and
performance. To cure this serious comfort malady, the team performed an extensive
air sealing service, including the RGD boxes, to reduce stack effect and infiltration of
hot, humid outdoor air.

They next added a reflective radiant energy barrier to the underside of the roof joists
to substantially lower the attic temperature.

We then installed new ductwork to each area, routing it back to reconfigured

mechanical rooms to accommodate the addition of zones and dehumidifiers. All new
ducts were professionally sealed and insulated, to ensure proper airflow. All zone
ducts were planned in routed in such a way to bring the zone dampers into the
conditioned space for more reliable performance as well, Casey says.

PRODUCT LIST
3 American Standard AccuLink inverter heat pumps.
3 American Standard variable speed air handlers.
3 American Standard electric resistance heaters
2 Nexia communicating zone systems, with controls and modulating
dampers.
3 Aprilaire 95-pint ducted dehumidifiers.
3 Solace Air PMAC air filters
3 Solace Air UV air purifiers

Three air handlers were installed one upflow, one downflow, and one horizontal,
to accommodate onsite conditions and meet the customerss objectives. New heat
pumps were installed, one of which was relocated for proper operation. Each new air
handler was fitted with Aprilaire ducted dehumidifiers and Solace polarized media
air cleaners.
New control wires for the Nexia automatic control system were run throughout the
home to enable automatic zoning operations.
New power supplies were installed for the dehumidifiers.
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RGDs in the great room were completely reconfigured for proper airflow in the
space. This including relocating certain supplies and returns, as well as upgrading to
adjustable style registers to direct airflow strategically to specific areas loads. The
crew completed this from scaffolding more than 30-ft. high.

The team followed ACCA Manual J8 for design, and home performance standards
established by the Building Performance Institute (BPI).

The team also followed Griffin Services exclusive 40-point OpX checklist for each
system, including testing systems in all modes, including voltage, amperage, static
pressures, temp drop, temp rise, superheat, subcooling, and other key readings.
Additionally, they commissioned the Nexia integrated controls for sizing all zones,
associated airflows, and to confirm all modes of operation.

We worked extensively in this occupied, ultra hi-end oceanfront home, under a

hard deadline, juggling multiple disciplines and scopes of work, like a maestro
conducting an orchestra, Casey reports.
The end result is comfort they never experienced in this home before, with utility
bills lower than ever before. It had this client sending us texts, ecstatic with the
results and the newfound
enjoyment of his home.

That sums it up. A properly designed home comfort system leads to the full
enjoyment of a living environment. And the best home doctors know the best
methods to diagnose and cure uncomfortable and expensive conditions.

Congratulations once again, to Tom Casey and Griffin Service!

START SLIDESHOW

TAGS: RESIDENTIAL HVAC

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Lennox

These are the original KPIs for HVAC businesses, from 20 years ago. See full image below.

CONTRACTING BUSINESS SUCCESS

10 KPIs for Successful HVAC Business Ownership

The KPIs we're talking about today deal mainly with replacement sales.

Mike Moore | Jul 19, 2017

I talk to contractors all the time who work 70, 80 and 90 hours a week trying to
build their HVAC businesses. Well I just have to ask them, How do you know
whats working and what isnt? Now, fortunately for us, we are not the first people
to have this problem.

Now, the first thing we have to do is departmentalize. Now what

departmentalization is, is we take and we put all of the revenue, and we put all the
expenses into the proper category. And what that does is it makes it where you
have an even playing field so that you can go ahead and have apples to apples
comparisons within your company.
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The KPIs we're talking about today deal mainly with replacement sales. An
interesting poll we took at Lennox Live 2017 was companies that were
departmentalized vs. those that were not. It turned out 77% of contractors said
their businesses were compartmentalized and 23% said theirs were not. Now, what
I want you to do when you get back to your company is just make sure that you
have all the revenue in the right area, and you have all of the expenses in the right
area because in order to do effective KPI management, you've got to have
departmentalization right.

What are KPIs?

Key Performance Indicators allow you to measure your performance against your
strategic plan. You've got to sit down and figure out what your strategic plan is. By
trying to grow and by trying to be more profitable and by trying to get out of a
certain part of the business more into another part of the business, you've got to
have that discussion so you know overall where you want to go.

Then, it lets you measure against the industry's success factors. So, it gives you a
gauge to know whether you're being successful, what do we have to improve, those
type things. And then you use it as a guide to improve your decision making.

READ MORE

TAGS: RESIDENTIAL HVAC

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Meet David Davis, Audrey Williams, Sherryle Waitrovich, and Bob Willig.

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