I would check the amp draw at the condensing unit with the house at its normal temperature. The outdoor unit will have a data tag/label on the outside of it. It will have the amp values listed for the fan motor and for the compressor in RLA (running load amps). Use those values to go by. The motor or compressor should not exceed the listed value usually. On rare occasions where the home is super hot, you might have excess amp draw only untill the home cools off a bit. You can also check your indoor unit the same as it will also have a data tag as well.

Hope this helps

If the condenser is actualy the only thing connected to the circuit,you need to determine where the 4.5 amps is being consumed without unit running before looking at the amp draw while the unit is running. My concurn would be that somthing has gone to ground(short circuited)and the equipment is poorly grounded. If that was the case,an electrocution danger would exist. Find that 4.5 amps first.

Sorry, I failed to properly explain where I took the amp readings. I took the amp readings on the main legs to the panel. The initial readings (3.5 and 4.5 amps) were the freezer, lights, ceiling fans, etc.

The label on my unit reads 19amps. When it was running yesterday I had 16 amps (20.5 - 4.5)on one leg and 9 amps (13.5 - 3.5)on the other. I'm wondering why the unit is drawing 7 more amps on one leg than the the other?