Find the leak first
Refrigerant charging in Harat Al Bahar
In Harat Al Bahar, at the heart of old Jeddah, refrigerant charging requires careful leak detection before refilling. High coastal humidity and long-aged copper pipes increase the risk of leaks at joints and bends.
- 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
Harat Al Bahar is very old, closely built residential and commercial blocks, with mostly split units or even old window ACs. The copper lines are exposed to damp, polluted air from the nearby sea, speeding decay at joints and weak points. Old districts experience harsh temperature swings day and night, straining the pipes and hastening leaks. Finding and fixing the leak before refilling is not optional but essential here.
Harat Al Bahar sits in historic downtown Jeddah near the seafront, a district of very old buildings and narrow streets.
Most units here are ageing split systems or window ACs, with copper lines exposed to coastal humidity and salt air.
The AC setup in Harat Al Bahar
- 1
Old split units in residential flats
Most flats have older split units, perhaps 10 years or more, with copper lines exposed to dampness and salt.
- 2
Window units in some shops
Some very old shops and flats have not switched to split units yet, still relying on window ACs.
- 3
Lines directly exposed to coastal air
Most copper lines are uninsulated or poorly insulated, directly exposed to damp salty air.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Harat Al Bahar
- 1
Tell us the nearest safe parking point
Harat Al Bahar's streets are very narrow, so let us know the nearest safe spot the team can park before the appointment.
- 2
Coordinate with neighbouring shop owners
If the unit is in a commercial space, tell neighbouring shops about the visit time to avoid any barriers or blockages.
- 3
Check team access to the outdoor unit
The outdoor unit is often on a tiny balcony or tight wall, make sure the team can reach it safely.
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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 building is very old and the AC does not cool like it used to, is the refrigerant the issue?
It could be a leak, or the compressor or indoor coil might be clogged from years of neglect. Our team checks charge, pressure and overall performance before finding the real cause.
The streets are very narrow and the building is hard to reach, how do you get the equipment in?
Our team carries charging and testing tools by hand through tight passages to reach the units. We agree in advance on the nearest parking and visit time.
Does seafront humidity corrode the copper lines, causing constant leaks?
Yes, damp salty air from the sea speeds copper corrosion and forms tiny holes at joints. Uninsulated copper lines corrode much faster than insulated ones.
After charging in an old building, will the refrigerant stay or drop again soon?
If all fine leaks are fixed, the charge stays stable. But old lines exposed to dampness may develop new leaks later due to ongoing corrosion from coastal air.
