Ducted and central recharge
AC refrigerant charging in Harat Al Sham
In Harat Al Sham in old downtown Jeddah, AC units in shops and flats need refrigerant charging when cooling drops. Alrabih's team measures pressure and temperature on the older units, searches for leaks in tight piping, then charges to match the refrigerant type on the nameplate.
- Accurate pressure readings
- Charge recovery
- Nameplate-type charge
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
When your system needs a refrigerant charge
- 1
Uneven cooling across zones
One office or floor feels hot while the rest of the building is cool. Before adding any refrigerant, the technician reads pressures and temperatures at several points to confirm that a low charge is actually the cause.
- 2
After a repair or component swap
Replacing a compressor, a valve or any part that opens the circuit means the old charge escapes. It must be recovered with a dedicated machine, then the line is vacuumed and recharged after the repair is done.
- 3
A system restarted after long shutdown
A central or rooftop unit shut down for a full season in Jeddah's salty coastal air may have lost part of its charge. We verify with pressure readings before adding anything, and look for a leak if the readings point to one.
Who it's for
Your villa's ducted system has lost its cooling
We read system pressures and line temperatures, find any leak in the long pipe runs, then vacuum and charge to the refrigerant type on the unit nameplate.
Ask on WhatsAppYour building's rooftop unit cools unevenly across floors
We inspect the system and its drawings, measure pressures and temperatures at multiple points to find the cause, then recover the old charge if a repair is needed and recharge to the nameplate type only.
Ask on WhatsApp
What the charging work covers
- Suction and discharge pressure readings
- Liquid and suction line temperatures
- Old refrigerant charge recovery
- Line vacuum before recharging
- Charge to nameplate refrigerant type
How we work
How we work
- 1
System check and readings
The technician checks the unit nameplate and system drawings, then reads suction and discharge pressures and line temperatures to judge the actual charge condition.
- 2
Find and fix the leak
If readings show a low charge, the technician finds the leak in the long line set, joints or components, and repairs it before any refrigerant is added.
- 3
Recovery and vacuum
The remaining old charge is recovered with a dedicated recovery machine, then a vacuum pump removes all air and moisture from the line before the new charge goes in.
- 4
Charge and verify
The system is charged with the refrigerant type on the nameplate only, never mixed with another type, then pressures are read again and cooling is checked across all zones.
Careful charge or a random top-up?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosing the cause | Pressures and temperatures first | Add refrigerant straight away |
| The leak | Found and fixed before charging | Left to repeat the problem |
| Old charge | Recovered by machine | Vented to atmosphere |
| Refrigerant type | Nameplate type, no mixing | Whatever is to hand |
| Long line sets | Joints checked along the full run | Checked at the unit only |
Everything your AC needs, from one team
From system design and duct fabrication to installation, commissioning and maintenance.
Split AC installation
Request this serviceDuct installation
Request this serviceCentral AC installation
Request this serviceDuct fabrication
Request this serviceCold room installation
Request this serviceElectro-mechanical works
Request this serviceChiller & AHU installation
Request this serviceHVAC design
Request this serviceAC repair & faults
Request this serviceAC cleaning
Request this serviceRefrigerant charging
Request this serviceCentral AC maintenance
Request this serviceChiller maintenance
Request this serviceAC removal & refitting
Request this serviceDuct cleaning & sanitising
Request this serviceAC servicing by brand
Request this serviceOperation & maintenance contracts
Request this serviceAHU maintenance
Request this serviceFridge & freezer service
Request this serviceCold rooms
Request this serviceDisplay fridges & chillers
Request this serviceFactory HVAC
Request this serviceWarehouse HVAC
Request this serviceVilla & home HVAC
Request this serviceHotel HVAC
Request this serviceSchool HVAC
Request this serviceHospital HVAC
Request this serviceMosque HVAC
Request this serviceMall & retail HVAC
Request this serviceRestaurant & cafe HVAC
Request this service
Some of our work
Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
- 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”
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 reviewService 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.
What sets this district apart
Harat Al Sham is part of historic downtown Jeddah, with old closely built blocks mixing ground-floor shops and small workshops with residential flats above. Most units here are older, either window AC or simple split systems, with refrigerant pipes stuck to narrow old walls. When cooling weakens, the cause may be a small leak from corroded aging piping or a faulty control valve, and precise pressure reading matters because the pipes are rarely well-insulated.
Harat Al Sham sits in historic downtown Jeddah, an old closely built district around the traditional markets.
Most units here are window AC or old split systems on narrow facades, with exposed refrigerant pipes on the walls.
The AC setup in Harat Al Sham
- 1
Window AC units in very old shops and flats
Many shops and homes in the neighbourhood still use old window AC units instead of split systems.
- 2
Simple split units on narrow walls
Outdoor units are mounted on narrow walls between buildings because outdoor space is scarce.
- 3
Exposed pipes on facades and walls
Refrigerant pipes are typically exposed on walls with minimal insulation due to the tight building configuration.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Harat Al Sham
- 1
Notify the shop or flat owner of the time
The neighbourhood streets are narrow and busy, so notify us in advance and ensure the outdoor unit is accessible.
- 2
Run the AC before we arrive
Run the unit for at least 10 minutes before we arrive so we can take accurate pressure readings.
- 3
Locate the outdoor unit and pipes
Tell us where the outdoor unit and main pipes are so we can bring the right tools and ladder if needed.
More districts for AC refrigerant charging
Other services in Harat Al Sham
FAQ
Questions about AC refrigerant charging
Why can't a second refrigerant type be mixed into a ducted system?
Every refrigerant type is matched to a specific compressor, lubricating oil and operating pressures. Mixing two types shifts the pressures and contaminates the oil, straining the compressor and ruining cooling performance. We read the nameplate type and use only that.
Can a rooftop unit be recharged without shutting the whole building down?
In most cases one rooftop unit can be worked on while the others keep running, but this depends on how the system is designed and how many units it has. The technician reviews the system drawings at the survey and decides the approach that causes least disruption.
What do pressure and temperature readings tell you about a central AC system?
Suction pressure and gas line temperature show how well the evaporator coil is absorbing heat, while discharge pressure and liquid line temperature reveal condenser performance. Comparing both sets against the manufacturer's values shows whether the charge is low, high or whether another component is the real problem.
Why is the old charge recovered rather than just released?
Releasing refrigerant to the air damages the ozone layer and is prohibited. Recovery keeps the gas for proper recycling or disposal. In large systems the charge is substantial, so recovery both protects the environment and avoids losing a costly material before the repair is complete.
How does charging a ducted system differ from charging a standard split unit?
A ducted system has much longer refrigerant line sets and a larger charge, so a shortage takes longer to appear and leak-finding covers a much greater length of pipe and joints. Pressure readings must also be compared against the manufacturer's values for the whole system, not just a single indoor unit.
My window AC unit in the neighbourhood is old, can it be recharged or should I replace it with a split?
We inspect it first, measure pressure and check for leaks. If there is no major leak, it can be recharged. If leaks are recurring, replacement is cheaper in the long run.
My refrigerant pipes are on an old exterior wall exposed to sun and rain, do they corrode quickly?
Yes, constant exposure speeds corrosion and minor leaks. We inspect pipes and joints at every charge and recommend re-insulating or wrapping exposed pipes.
The neighbourhood is near the sea, do salt and humidity speed up leaks?
Yes, very much. Sea salt and high humidity speed up corrosion of refrigerant joints and metals. We inspect joints carefully and recommend servicing every 6 months.
My shop is at ground level and the unit is on a narrow facade, how do you safely reach it?
We agree with the shop owner in advance about timing and safe facade access. We use a short ladder or safe platform depending on height.
