Charged right, not just topped up

Split AC refrigerant charging in Al Ruhaili

In Al Ruhaili, north-east Jeddah, split units cooling weakly need more than a quick top-up. A leak test, repair and full evacuation charge is the permanent fix.

  • 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 Ruhaili is a recently developed district with scattered villas and mid-rise apartment blocks across open spaces and wide streets. Split units are common in every home and flat, with copper runs extending from indoors to outdoors through walls and facades exposed to hot air and winds. Sustained high heat and dry conditions accelerate seal degradation at joints and connection points.

Al Ruhaili is in north-east Jeddah, a modern district of scattered villas and mid-rise residential blocks with wide-open spaces.

Most villas and blocks here have relatively recent splits, but the copper lines face direct exposure to hot winds and extreme dryness.

The AC setup in Al Ruhaili

  1. 1

    Recent-model splits in each villa and flat

    Most homes in Al Ruhaili are relatively new with modern split units and standard-length copper lines.

  2. 2

    Lines exposed to hot air and dry winds

    Copper lines typically run along exterior walls directly exposed to hot winds and low humidity.

  3. 3

    Joints exposed to extreme temperature swings

    Day-night and seasonal temperature swings put stress on pipe joints and connection fittings.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Al Ruhaili

  1. 1

    Clearly identify outdoor unit location

    Tell us exactly where the outdoor unit is mounted, on a wall, roof or garden, so we can reach it easily.

  2. 2

    Ensure clear access indoors and outdoors

    Make sure the path from the indoor unit to the outdoor connection is clear of furniture or obstacles for inspection.

  3. 3

    Provide the unit model or nameplate data

    Write down the unit model or take a photo of the nameplate showing type and capacity so we can ensure correct charging.

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 is new but cooling weakly after one year, what causes this?

Usually a slow leak in the lines or at connection points. We use a leak detector, fix the spot, then fully evacuate and recharge the system.

Our strong winds and extreme heat affect the copper, do they cause leaks?

Yes, extreme temperature swings and dry conditions weaken joints and insulation seals. We inspect lines carefully and repair any weak points before the full charge.

How often should I request refrigerant top-ups yearly in Al Ruhaili?

If the system is properly sealed, no annual top-ups are needed. If you need repeated charging, there is an active leak requiring detection and repair.

What checks do you do before a full refrigerant charge?

We use a leak detector on all lines and joints, repair any leak found, evacuate the system with a vacuum pump to remove moisture and air, then charge to the correct type and amount.

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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