5.3003.23 Refrigerant Charge Evaluation—Low Rise

Topic:

Forced Air

Subtopic:

System Assessment and Maintenance

Desired Outcome:

The refrigerant charge is correct

Note:

The authority having jurisdiction may require that a licensed professional perform certain tasks outlined in this detail.

For supporting material, see Referenced Standards.

Multifamily Homes

Title	Specification(s)	Objective(s)
5.3003.23a Verify	The equipment must be installed in accordance with written specifications and manufacturer specifications Proper airflows and/or water flows through the heat exchanger will be within manufacturer specifications before refrigerant evaluation can be performed The system will be within the manufacturer permissible temperature tolerances and in steady state condition before refrigerant evaluation can be performed	Ensuring accuracy of the evaluation
5.3003.23b Testing equipment	Measurement equipment will be calibrated and field checked in accordance with manufacturer recommendations Measurement equipment will be selected so that design value (pressure and temperature) will be within the accurate range of the measuring device	Ensure accurate measurements of refrigerant charge
5.3003.23c Testing procedure	Refrigerant charge will be verified in accordance with ANSI ANSI American National Standards Institute, www.ansi.org / ACCA ACCA Air Conditioning Contractors of America, www.acca.org Standard 5 Examples of acceptable methods include the following: Superheat test done under outdoor ambient temperatures specified by the manufacturer. Superheat value must be within +/- 5°F of the manufacturer-specified superheat value (or within manufacturer-recommended tolerances) Subcooling test done under outdoor ambient temperatures specified by the manufacturer. Subcooling value must be within +/- 3°F of the manufacturer-specified subcooling value (or within manufacturer-recommended tolerances) Any method approved and specifically documented by the manufacturer that will ensure proper refrigerant charge All work will be done by a licensed professional or qualified person	Ensure accurate measurements of refrigerant charge
5.3003.23d Documentation	Documentation will be done in accordance with ANSI ANSI American National Standards Institute, www.ansi.org / ACCA ACCA Air Conditioning Contractors of America, www.acca.org Standard 5 Documented field data (including, but not limited to, operating refrigerant pressures, superheat and subcooling values, etc.), and operating conditions will be recorded at time of testing	Provide documentation for optimal operation and maintenance of equipment