What Does the Subcooling Design Mean on Trane Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps help you keep your cool.

Trane manufactures heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The use of subcooling is one of many design aspects Trane uses to increase the efficiency of its air conditioners and heat pumps.

Definitions

Subcooling is the process of lowering the temperature of a refrigerant below its saturation point. This allows the refrigerant to absorb more heat. Design subcooling is the pressure at which an air conditioning system has been designed to best subcool the refrigerant in its low-temperature lines.

Significance

Subcooling makes an air conditioner or heat pump capable of removing more heat from the air. Operating the system as close to its subcooling design point as possible makes it more efficient, especially in hot weather.

Application

When recharging a Trane heat pump with refrigerant, the design subcool charging temperature listed on its data plate is used to calculate the optimum refrigerant pressure.

References

• "Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning"; Althouse, Turnquist, Bracciano; 2003
• James' A/C Co.: Refrigeration Gauges and Manifold Set Usage
• HVAC-Talk: Trane Service Facts - Split System Heat Pump

Resources

• InspectAPedia: Air Conditioner or Heat Pump System Operating Defects & How to Fix Them