Charged right, not just topped up
Split AC refrigerant charging in Harat Al Bahar
In Harat Al Bahar at the heart of historic Jeddah, old buildings and shops stacked together rely on split AC. A unit cooling only at night or blowing warm air signals a refrigerant leak, and the fix starts with finding and sealing the leak before any charging.
- Leak found first
- Vacuum and test
- Correct charge
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
When your split needs a refrigerant charge
- 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
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
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 WhatsAppYour 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
How we work
How we work
- 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
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
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
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?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| The leak | Found and fixed first | Ignored, charged over it |
| Flare joint | Checked, remade if needed | Not checked |
| Vacuum | Before every charge | Often skipped |
| Refrigerant type | Nameplate only | Whatever is available |
| Line moisture | Removed by vacuum | Left inside the line |
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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”
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“Wow. Prices are so comfortable. Outstanding services. People are so talented and nice”
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“U can find all u need for air conditioning”
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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 among Jeddah's oldest neighbourhoods, with historic tightly packed buildings housing shops on the ground floor and flats above. High coastal humidity, intense heat and poor natural ventilation between crowded buildings force AC systems to run at high pressure. Refrigerant leaks are very common here due to unit age and humidity's effect on copper joints, and a simple top-up will only mask the problem temporarily.
Harat Al Bahar lies in historic downtown Jeddah near the waterfront, a district of old tightly packed buildings with high coastal humidity.
Most units here are individual splits per shop or flat, many installed years ago, and leaks are highly probable.
The AC setup in Harat Al Bahar
- 1
Individual split per old shop and flat
The tight building footprints force each shop or flat to have its own unit, with a small outdoor section on the narrow facade.
- 2
Outdoor units mounted on very narrow facades
Outdoor units sit in tight spaces on building walls, making access and service occasionally difficult.
- 3
Window AC units in some very old shops
Some of Harat Al Bahar's oldest shops and flats still use window units instead of splits.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Harat Al Bahar
- 1
Confirm time and location in advance
Streets are very narrow and shops crowded, so tell us your preferred time and closest parking point at least a day before.
- 2
Ensure the outdoor unit is reachable
Facades are tight and roofs sometimes difficult to reach. Check with the shop or flat owner that the outdoor unit can be safely accessed.
- 3
Clear space around the indoor unit
Shops and flats are usually crowded with stock or furniture, so clear space around the indoor unit before the visit to ease inspection and work.
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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 AC only cools at night, why is that?
That usually signals a refrigerant leak. Pressure drops as daytime heat rises, so the unit cools only when temperatures fall at night. We locate the leak, seal it and charge to the correct amount.
Our street is narrow and the shop is crowded, how do you access the unit?
Our team is familiar with Harat Al Bahar's narrow streets. We agree on the best time and closest parking, bringing only the tools we need directly.
The coastal humidity here is intense, does it affect the refrigerant system?
High humidity does not affect the refrigerant itself, but it speeds corrosion of copper joints and pipes, causing leaks. This is why regular inspection is crucial in Harat Al Bahar.
Will topping up without fixing the leak solve the problem?
No, not at all. Without sealing the leak, the refrigerant will escape again within weeks and the problem returns. We find and fix the leak first, then charge to the correct level.
