What step follows adding refrigerant to decrease subcooling?

After adding refrigerant to decrease subcooling, the appropriate next step is to read the new superheat. This action is essential because it provides critical information regarding the operational efficiency of the system. Superheat is the temperature of the refrigerant vapor above its boiling point at a given pressure. Once refrigerant is added, it's crucial to check the superheat to ensure that the evaporator is functioning properly and that an adequate amount of refrigerant is evaporating within the coil.

This measure helps confirm that the system is set up for optimal performance, as both subcooling and superheat are vital indicators of a properly charged system. Adjustments based on superheat readings can indicate whether the expansion valve is properly metering refrigerant into the evaporator. Thus, monitoring and reading the superheat after introducing refrigerant is a necessary step in maintaining system efficiency and performance.