Charged right, not just topped up

Split AC refrigerant charging in Al Fayhaa

In Al Fayhaa, central Jeddah, split units in villas and apartments suffer rapid refrigerant loss through leaks in the lines. Alrabih detects the leak with specialised equipment, repairs it, then vacuums and charges the line with the correct refrigerant.

  • Leak found first
  • Vacuum and test
  • Correct charge

Clients We're Proud to Serve

Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.

  • Saudi Aramco
  • Ministry of Energy
  • Royal Saudi Land Forces
  • Royal Saudi Naval Forces
  • Al Baik
  • Centro Hotels by Rotana
  • King Abdullah Economic City
  • First Mills
  • Juffali
  • eXtra
  • Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Medical Center
  • Alesayi Motors
  • Abu Zaid
  • Water Desalination
  • Attieh Steel
  • SSCO
  • Creet
  • Emad Rizq
  • Alfaneyah
  • Rawat Alam Al Tasmeem
  • IBI Magix Arabia — Construction Services
  • Midtown for Construction
  • Petra Engineering Industries Co.
  • Hyrmas
  • Batterjee Medical College
  • Advanced Horizons Contracting Company
  • D.Metals
  • Benchbox — Masters of Space
  • Sadafco
  • Umm Al-Qura University
  • Saudi Arabian Drug Store (SADS)
  • Foamco
  • Ahmad A. R. Bin Afif Industries Co. (Sandwich Panel Factory)
  • Namariq
  • ALS

When your split needs a refrigerant charge

  1. 1

    Weak cooling with a clean filter

    If the filter is clean and the compressor is running but the air from the indoor unit is barely cool, the cause is usually low refrigerant from a leak at the flare joints or the outdoor service valves.

  2. 2

    Frost on the pipes or unusual water drips

    Frost on the large pipe at the indoor unit, or water dripping from the unit in an unusual way, means refrigerant pressure has dropped below the range set by the manufacturer. The inspection finds the leak before any charging begins.

  3. 3

    A split that was moved and refitted

    When a split is removed for painting, renovation or a room move, the flare joints are disconnected and remade. These joints are the most likely source of a leak after refitting, and the system needs a careful check, a vacuum and a fresh charge.

Who it's for

  • Your bedroom split cools only at night

    We find and fix the leak at the flare joints, then vacuum and charge to the nameplate refrigerant type.

    Ask on WhatsApp
  • Your split was removed for renovation and refitted

    We inspect every remade flare joint, vacuum the full line, then charge and confirm cooling has returned.

    Ask on WhatsApp

What the job covers

  • Check flare joints and valves
  • Repair or remake flare
  • Vacuum line and pressure test
  • Charge to nameplate refrigerant type
  • Run unit confirm cooling
Request a quote

How we work

How we work

  1. 1

    Describe the fault

    Tell us on WhatsApp what is happening and send a photo of the outdoor unit nameplate so we know the refrigerant type before we arrive.

  2. 2

    Inspect and find the leak

    The technician checks the flare joints at the indoor unit and the service valves at the outdoor unit and locates the leak before taking any further step.

  3. 3

    Repair and vacuum

    We tighten or remake the flare joint as its condition requires, then vacuum the line and watch the pressure hold to confirm the line is tight.

  4. 4

    Charge and run

    We charge with the nameplate type at the amount the inspection determines, then run the unit and confirm that cooling has returned to the normal level.

Fix the leak first or just top it up?

AlrabihThe usual way
The leakFound and fixed firstIgnored, charged over it
Flare jointChecked, remade if neededNot checked
VacuumBefore every chargeOften skipped
Refrigerant typeNameplate onlyWhatever is available
Line moistureRemoved by vacuumLeft inside the line

Some of our work

Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.

  • Galvanized rectangular duct trunk with branch takeoffs and round diffusers, hung from a black ceiling, a Carrier unit visible behind — interior finishing stage.
  • Round diffusers and a spiral duct trunk in a tiled stairwell service shaft.
  • Rooftop ductwork and an exhaust fan, with Jeddah buildings in the background.
  • Rooftop packaged AC units with rectangular duct transitions, city buildings behind.
  • Insulated rooftop duct run beside a packaged unit, a warehouse roof in the background.
  • A grid of round diffusers in an open-plan office ceiling, mid-construction.
  • An insulated rooftop duct elbow, against a mountainous backdrop.
  • Large insulated ductwork running along a factory ceiling, with workers visible below.
  • A yellow round diffuser mid-installation, with spiral duct and a suspended ceiling grid.
  • Duct insulation wrap in progress on a construction site, bare duct still exposed.
  • A black-painted duct trunk with round diffusers and track lighting, in a finished retail interior.
  • An indoor AHU unit connected to round ductwork in a mechanical plant room, exposed concrete ceiling.
Similar project? Send us the details

Customer reviews

What our customers say

4.8

From 10 Google reviews

  • Muhammadramzan 2641

    “MashaaAllah. Services are so good. Behaviour and kindness 100/100. Prices are less then Market. Fully recommended”

  • shahzeb armani

    “Wow. Prices are so comfortable. Outstanding services. People are so talented and nice”

  • Tawfik AlyawerLocal Guide

    “U can find all u need for air conditioning”

Read every review on Google

Your satisfaction matters to us! If you had a great experience with us, we'd love a 5-star rating and a kind review.

Worked with us? Leave a review

Service areas

We come to you anywhere in Jeddah

From Al Shiraa and Al Yaqout in the north to Al Thaghr and Al Quraiyat in the south, with our base in Al Aziziyah.

Map of Jeddah by sector, with Alrabih's base in Al Aziziyah
Don't see your district?Message us. We most likely cover it.

What sets this district apart

Al Fayhaa is a relatively young neighbourhood of medium-sized villas and apartment blocks, most with split systems installed in recent years. Refrigerant leaks can stem from the quality of initial installation or vibration of outdoor units on heat-exposed rooftops. Simply refilling will not solve the problem if the leak persists, and the complaint will return within weeks.

Al Fayhaa is in central Jeddah, a newer neighbourhood of concentrated medium-sized villas and apartments exposed to intense summer heat.

Most split units here are 2 to 2.5 tonnes, with copper runs extending 6 to 10 metres between the indoor and outdoor units.

The AC setup in Al Fayhaa

  1. 1

    Split units 2 to 2.5 tonnes

    The medium-sized villas and apartments here typically run larger split units than other neighbourhoods.

  2. 2

    Long copper runs through walls and across rooftops

    Lines run from the rooftop unit down through walls, passing through multiple potential weak points.

  3. 3

    Outdoor units on heat-exposed rooftops

    The rooftops are fully exposed, and units face direct heat with sharp temperature swings between early morning and evening.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Al Fayhaa

  1. 1

    Confirm safe rooftop access and electrical clearance

    The roof must be safe to walk on, and electrical wires around the outdoor unit must be clear before we inspect the lines.

  2. 2

    Switch off power before we arrive

    Cut power to both the indoor and outdoor units together to keep our team safe while working on the lines.

  3. 3

    Clear access to both units and the entire copper line

    We need a clear view of the entire copper run from outdoor to indoor unit, so remove any obstructions or temporary covers.

FAQ

Questions about Split AC refrigerant charging

Does the split have to come off the wall to be recharged?

Usually not. Charging is done at the service valve on the outdoor unit, and if the leak is at the flare joints behind the indoor unit we reach them by lifting the lower cover or tilting the unit on its bracket. It only comes down when the joint is inside the wall.

Where do leaks usually occur in a wall split?

The most common points in a wall split are the flare joints at the indoor unit, which loosen over time from vibration, and the service valves at the outdoor unit. In Jeddah's humid and salty air, oxidation at copper connections can develop faster, which raises the chance of a leak.

Does the charging process differ when a split has been moved?

When a split is moved, the flare joints are disconnected and remade, and this is when air and moisture enter the line. A full vacuum before charging becomes especially important, and the technician checks every remade flare joint before the line is closed.

Why does my split cool only at night?

This is a common sign of low refrigerant. At night, lower outdoor air temperature lets the compressor partly compensate for the shortage. During Jeddah's daytime heat, the reduced charge is not enough and cooling weakens or stops. The inspection confirms whether this is the cause or whether another factor such as the compressor or capacitor is involved.

Does the length of the copper pipe run affect how much refrigerant is needed?

Yes, a longer copper pipe run between the two units requires more refrigerant. The site inspection measures the actual run length, and the technician sets the charge amount based on the nameplate figure and the installed pipe length.

The unit cools at first then weakens quickly each day, is this a refrigerant leak?

It could be a slow leak. We use refrigerant detection equipment to locate the source before any charging, because refilling alone will not stop it returning.

The lines from the rooftop outdoor unit through the wall to the indoor unit, does that cause leaks?

The wall penetration can be a weak point if not protected with a metal collar or flexible seal. We check it as part of locating any leak.

After you fix the leak and charge, how often will I need another refill?

If we properly repair the leak, vacuum the line and charge with the correct refrigerant, you should not need another refill for years.

Is there only one correct refrigerant type for my unit, or can I use different types?

The refrigerant type is specified for your unit model on the nameplate and cannot be mixed with others. We use only the correct type per your unit's specifications.

The Jeddah corniche in cool weather

Get your split cooling properly again

Send a photo of the outdoor unit nameplate and describe the fault on WhatsApp, and we will book the inspection and charge in your district, Saturday to Thursday.

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