How to Calculate

Subcooling
By SOREN BAGLEY

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Calculate Subcooling

Subcooling is part of a process used to remove heat from a designated area. The
process works through the use of a liquid that is made to absorb heat from the area to
be cooled. This liquid is referred to as a refrigerant. Like all liquids, this refrigerant
can be converted to and from a gas by altering its temperature. The temperature at
which the refrigerant changes from a gas into a liquid is referred to as its condensing
temperature. Any additional cooling of the refrigerant that takes place beyond this
condensing temperature is called subcooling.

Step 1

Measure the liquid line temperature of the device. The liquid line is the pipe that
carries the refrigerant from the unit's condensing coil to the expansion valve. To
measure the temperature, strap the thermometer's probe on the liquid line
approximately six inches from the expansion valve and record the results.

Step 2

Measure the liquid line pressure of the device. To do this, connect the pressure gauge
to both the suction and liquid service valves of the unit and let it run for 10 minutes.
The pressure gauge should display the results in pounds per square inch (psig).

Step 3

Convert the liquid line pressure to the condensing temperature (also called the
saturation temperature). The actual conversion will depend on the type of refrigerant
being used. The product's pressure/temperature chart will provide you with the
specific condensing temperature.