Charged right, not just topped up

Split AC refrigerant charging in Al Bashaer

In Al Bashaer, east Jeddah, charging a weak split begins with leak diagnosis and repair. Without fixing the leak first, charging alone will not solve the problem permanently.

  • 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 Bashaer is a relatively modern residential area in the east with new apartment blocks and small villas on limited plots, benefiting from better urban planning than older districts. Summer heat is high but less extreme than inland desert zones, and splits are usually installed consistently. However, initial installation quality varies by contractor, and copper lines may contain air gaps that reduce performance.

Al Bashaer sits in east Jeddah's developed sector, a modern residential area with organised urban planning.

Most split units in Al Bashaer are relatively modern models to standard specifications, though the initial vacuum may not always be perfect.

The AC setup in Al Bashaer

  1. 1

    Modern split unit per flat

    Al Bashaer is new, so most flats and small villas have one modern split unit to standard specifications.

  2. 2

    Regular distribution of outdoor units

    Outdoor units are regularly distributed on walls and balconies, making access and maintenance fairly straightforward.

  3. 3

    Standardised-length copper runs

    Connection lines between units are usually standard lengths by design, reducing variability in fitting issues.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Al Bashaer

  1. 1

    Switch off unit power before the team arrives

    Ensure the unit's power is off before the team begins inspection, leak detection and line work.

  2. 2

    Pinpoint the outdoor unit location

    Tell us exactly where the outdoor unit is, balcony, side wall or roof, and confirm safe access to it.

  3. 3

    Have safe parking space ready for the team's vehicle

    Al Bashaer has modern parking, so confirm there is safe space close to your flat for the team's vehicle and tools.

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.

My split cools but weakly since installation, is that normal?

The cause could be incomplete vacuuming during initial installation, leaving small air gaps that reduce performance. Careful testing will confirm it.

What is the difference between a fresh charge and leak repair plus charging?

Fresh charging alone does not fix a leak, because the new refrigerant will leak out too. Repairing the leak first ensures the refrigerant stays in the system.

Do air gaps in the lines happen because of the climate?

No, air gaps result from poor installation or incomplete initial vacuuming, not climate. They can be fixed with proper vacuuming and charging.

After leak repair and proper vacuuming, how long does the charge last?

After proper leak repair and vacuuming, the charge lasts for years without noticeable loss, provided the system remains properly sealed.

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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