Find the leak first
Refrigerant charging in Al Mahjar
In Al Mahjar, south Jeddah, refrigerant charging becomes necessary when an AC or fridge loses cooling due to a leak in the sealed circuit. Alrabih's team first locates the leak, repairs it, then vacuums the circuit and charges it to the nameplate type and amount.
- Leak located
- Vacuum and test
- Accurate charge
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
Signs the charge is low
- 1
Weak cooling and a compressor that runs on
The unit runs for hours without bringing the temperature down, or cools very slowly. This is usually the first sign the charge is low and the circuit can no longer move heat efficiently.
- 2
Frost on the pipes or evaporator coil
Ice on the thin pipe or on the evaporator coil points to low refrigerant pressure. Continued running can damage the coil. Where the frost forms helps the technician narrow down the problem area.
- 3
A refrigerator or cold room that will not hold temperature
In commercial or industrial refrigeration equipment, a rising cabinet temperature means stock at risk. Low refrigerant is one possible cause, and confirming it needs pressure readings and a circuit check on site.
Who it's for
Your window or portable unit cools slowly
We check circuit pressure, locate and repair the leak, then vacuum and charge to the type shown on your unit's nameplate.
Ask on WhatsAppYour cold room or commercial fridge will not hold temperature
We measure pressure, identify why the cabinet temperature is rising, repair any leak found, then charge to the correct refrigerant type for that unit.
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What the work covers
- Pressure check and leak location
- Leak repair before charging
- Vacuum and tightness test
- Charge to nameplate refrigerant
- Run test and performance check
How we work
How we work
- 1
Inspect and locate leak
The technician measures circuit pressure and checks joints and components that corrode in Jeddah's humid, salty air, pinpointing the leak before any other step.
- 2
Repair the leak
The technician repairs the leak point, whether a loose joint, a cracked pipe or corrosion in part of the circuit. The unit is not charged until the repair is confirmed tight.
- 3
Vacuum and pressure test
The circuit is evacuated with a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture, then the reading is watched to confirm pressure holds before refrigerant is introduced.
- 4
Charge and run
The unit is charged to the nameplate type and amount, then run and checked for proper performance on site before handover.
Fix the leak or just top it up?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| The leak | Found and fixed first | Often ignored |
| Vacuum | Before every charge | Sometimes skipped |
| Refrigerant type | As the nameplate states | May be mixed or swapped |
| Compressor | Protected by correct charge | Worn by wrong charge |
| Refrigeration equipment | AC, fridges and cold rooms | Usually AC only |
Everything your AC needs, from one team
From system design and duct fabrication to installation, commissioning and maintenance.
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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.
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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
Al Mahjar is a mixed residential area with modern villas, apartment blocks and shops, spread across relatively open plots with accessible outdoor space. This means outdoor units are easier to reach for leak inspection and repair, but the variety of unit types, splits to central systems in villas, requires skill in reading each unit's nameplate and matching the right refrigerant. Leaks often occur in the long copper runs between indoor and outdoor units, especially if the pipes face direct sun and intense heat.
Al Mahjar lies in south Jeddah, a mixed residential area of modern villas, apartment blocks and small retail.
Most leaks here occur in the long copper lines due to direct sun exposure, heat and repeated thermal expansion.
The AC setup in Al Mahjar
- 1
Independent split units in villas and blocks
Most villas and apartment blocks in Al Mahjar use separate split units with long copper lines running between outdoor and indoor units.
- 2
Central systems in some larger villas
Some of the larger modern villas have central AC systems, and charging these requires knowledge of larger circuits and higher-capacity compressors.
- 3
Copper lines exposed to direct sun
The lines between units here often face direct sun and intense heat, increasing leak risk due to repeated thermal expansion.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Mahjar
- 1
Tell us where the outdoor unit is located
Send us a photo of the outdoor unit and the space around it so we can confirm easy access for inspection and repair.
- 2
Confirm your unit type and refrigerant
Check your unit's nameplate (capacity and refrigerant type) and send us a photo of it.
- 3
Ensure safe access and power supply
Before the visit, confirm the outdoor unit is near a safe power point and the access path is clear of obstacles.
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FAQ
Questions about Refrigerant charging
Can you just add refrigerant without looking for the leak?
A sealed refrigerant circuit does not consume refrigerant. A low charge means there is a leak somewhere. Adding refrigerant without finding and repairing that leak brings the same fault back quickly and can damage the compressor. The correct sequence is always to locate the leak, repair it, pull a vacuum on the circuit, and then charge to the type and quantity shown on the unit's nameplate.
Where does refrigerant leak in commercial refrigeration equipment?
The most common points are expansion fittings and restrictions on the liquid line, flare joints at the evaporator and condenser, and service valves where the rubber seals have aged. In commercial refrigeration, old copper pipe welds weakened by continuous compressor vibration are also a frequent source. The exact location is found during the site inspection.
Does the refrigerant type affect how the unit performs?
Yes. Every unit is designed for a specific refrigerant type with defined operating pressures and heat transfer properties. Using a different type changes those pressures and can either overload the compressor or reduce cooling output. For this reason the unit is always charged with the exact type shown on its nameplate and no substitute is used.
Is the charging work different for a home AC unit and a commercial refrigerator?
Yes, they differ in several ways. Commercial refrigeration units operate at pressures and with refrigerant types distinct from those in air conditioners, and their target temperatures are much lower. The pipe circuits are also longer and often include multiple distributors and valves that require careful inspection before vacuuming and charging. The nature of each circuit determines the procedure.
Is the charging work different for a home AC unit and a commercial refrigerator?
The core steps are the same: locate the leak, repair it, vacuum the circuit, then charge to the nameplate type. Commercial refrigeration units sometimes have additional valves and components that require a different inspection approach. What each unit needs is determined by the technician on site after pressure readings and a circuit check.
How do you find a leak in the long copper line between my outdoor and indoor units?
We use an electronic leak detector and look for oil stains around joints and exposed pipes. Once located and repaired, we vacuum the circuit and charge it with the correct refrigerant type and nameplate amount.
Villas here have large outdoor spaces, is the outdoor unit easy to access?
Yes, the open space in Al Mahjar usually makes outdoor units easily accessible, but we confirm the unit's location and the access routes before the visit.
Does intense heat on the outdoor copper lines increase leak risk in Al Mahjar?
Yes, direct sun exposure causes repeated thermal expansion in copper, which can lead to small cracks over time. Well-insulated pipes help preserve the refrigerant charge longer.
My old AC unit is losing charge, can we just refill or must we replace it?
If the leak is small and repairable, we fix it and charge the correct refrigerant. But if the unit is very old or the leak is in main pipes, we may advise a replacement. We visit first to assess the situation.
