Amana superheat/subcool chart

System is a split heat pump installed in 2013. Air Handler: AVPTC426014 Compressor: ASZC160601 16 SEER 2 stage 5 ton.

Trying to get some more technical information, specifically the superheat/subcool chart, so I can determine if my system is over charged for current ambient.

I'm a homeowner, and I just had a maintenance performed. The tech read his gauges and found the subcool as low, he added 1lbs of 410a to bring it back up. The info tag on the panel shows subcool should be between 5 and 7 degrees. He was reading a subcool around 4 on his digital gauges, and after adding 1lb 410a it was up to 7 degrees. It was a cooler day out here in FL, overcast and 80. My unit also is in the shade until late afternoon.

I was not satisfied with the maintenance as they didn't do any cleaning of my coils inside or out, and he didn't check the capacitor, and I was concerned about the system having a leak if it needed refrigerant in a years time since it was last checked. So they sent out another tech.

Second tech came out, and did the cleaning, and rechecked everything (he had analog gauges). It was warmer out that day, around 91 and sunny. He was reading a subcool of 9 degrees, but said it should be within spec +/- 3 degrees. He said usually there's a chart that provides more detail from the manufacture, but my manuals really only said between 5 and 7 degrees. My cap was also slightly out of spec, but he swapped at no charge since it was replaced less than a year ago by them. He concluded, and at the time we were in agreement that we'd just follow up on the readings at the next maintenance, and we could better determine if there was a slow leak, or if the readings were out of spec. However the more I think about this, I think they're just trying to CYA, and not have to refund me the cost for the 1lb of 410a.

I've been trying to find documentation for the proper manufacture superheat/subcool ranges from Amana for my unit, but I can't seem to pin it down. Only thing I've found close says non-txv, but my unit has a TXV. Even then I'm still a little unsure how to read it as I only have the final subcool number on hand, and not the actual red pressures on hand.

I know an overcharged system can cause increased pressures, and premature wear as well as loss of efficiency. I'm just trying to see how big of a deal this is so I know how to put pressure on my local mechanical company.

Thanks for any input.

submitted by /u/BOFslime
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