Find the leak first
Refrigerant charging in Al Sharafiyah
In Al Sharafiyah, central Jeddah, refrigerant charging requires finding any leak before topping up. Alrabih's team locates the leak in pipes and joints, repairs it, then vacuums the circuit and charges it to the unit's 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 Sharafiyah has villas and medium-rise residential buildings with some shops, newer than the old districts but denser than the wide northern suburbs. Most units here are independent splits or central in larger apartment blocks, and leaks often occur in the copper pipes because of continuous thermal stress in this central location. Failing to repair the leak before charging means the refrigerant will escape again and strain the compressor.
Al Sharafiyah sits in central Jeddah, a mixed district of villas and medium-rise residential blocks with moderate building density.
Most split units here have moderate copper runs between indoor and outdoor units, which increases the likelihood of leaks at joints under thermal stress.
The AC setup in Al Sharafiyah
- 1
Independent split unit with moderate copper run
Most villas and flats here have a standalone split, with copper runs typically between 5 and 10 metres from indoor to outdoor unit.
- 2
Central AC in the larger apartment blocks
Some larger residential blocks here use a central system with a main compressor serving multiple units, so a leak may affect several flats.
- 3
Pipes both exposed and embedded in walls
Some pipes here run visibly on external facades, others are embedded in walls, multiplying potential leak points.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Sharafiyah
- 1
Know exactly where your outdoor unit sits
Tell us if the outdoor unit is on a balcony, roof, or exterior wall, as this affects how we reach it safely.
- 2
Clear access to the copper pipes
Make sure the copper pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor units are not blocked by furniture or hanging items.
- 3
Switch off the unit before we arrive
Cut power to the unit at its circuit breaker before the visit to ensure safety while we locate and repair the leak.
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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.
My unit loses refrigerant fast, can you just top it up?
No, we must find and fix the leak first. Topping up without repairing wastes the refrigerant again and harms the compressor.
The refrigerant pipes run under my staircase, how do you access them?
We inspect the full pipe run on the first visit and identify a safe access point. If pipes are under your staircase, we may need to move some items with your agreement.
Al Sharafiyah's air is quite humid, does that cause more leaks?
Humidity and daily temperature swings speed up corrosion of copper joints, especially if pipes are exposed. This increases leak risk over time.
Does refrigerant charging need a separate circuit breaker?
Charging itself does not require electrical changes, but we ensure the unit operates safely during the test run after charging.
