Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of installing a 10–15 m³ cold room in Dammam ranges from SAR 18,000 to SAR 28,000, including insulation panels, condensing unit, evaporator, and installation labour, with a 12-month comprehensive warranty. Prices vary depending on the required temperature, panel type, and brand. Call us on 0598366214 for a free detailed quote within 24 hours.

IQF blast-freezing units start from SAR 250,000 for small units (500 kg/hr) and reach SAR 2,500,000 for large industrial units (5–10 tonnes/hr). The cost includes the Friga-Bohn IQF unit, freezing belt, CAREL control system, and full insulation. Elfarida Ice offers financing options for large industrial projects.

Yes, we offer 4 maintenance plans: Basic (SAR 4,800/year – 4 visits), Standard (SAR 9,600/year – 8 visits), Premium (SAR 18,000/year – 12 visits + comprehensive spare parts), Enterprise (customised for large projects). All plans include preventive maintenance, instant alerts, and emergency response.

Panel prices vary by thickness and brand: 80mm Assan Panel: SAR 280–320/m², 100mm: SAR 340–380/m², 150mm Kingspan Quadcore: SAR 480–540/m². Prices include full installation and finishing.

Both are used in commercial freezing. The main difference: R507 is a binary blend (R125+R143a), thermally more stable and suitable for variable loads; R404a is a ternary blend (R125+R143a+R134a), cheaper and more widespread. Both have high GWP (>3900) and the industry is transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives such as R448A.

Rack systems centralise 3–12 compressors serving multiple rooms, saving up to 40% on electricity, enabling automatic Lead/Lag redundancy, unified maintenance, and heat recovery for free hot water. Split units have a lower capital cost but higher running costs, suitable for small facilities with fewer than 5 rooms.

R717 ammonia systems are suitable for large industrial facilities (>500 kW) such as poultry plants (>50 t/day), ice factories, large logistics warehouses (>10,000 m³), and large dairy operations. Advantages: COP > 4 (25% higher than Freon), zero environmental impact, 30% lower operating costs. They require advanced safety systems with Honeywell sensors.

A Cascade system operates in two stages: the first stage using R404a/R134a cools the second stage using CO2/R23 to achieve −70°C to −90°C. It is essential for: storing mRNA vaccines (Pfizer −70°C), blood plasma storage (−30°C), deep industrial freezing, scientific research laboratories, and advanced blast-freezing plants.

For a −25°C freezer room in Saudi Arabia's hot climate (>45°C in summer), the recommended thickness is 150mm to 200mm of PUF panel with a density of 40 kg/m³. Thinner panels lead to high electricity consumption and failure to reach the required temperature. For the floor, we recommend adding 50mm XPS under the concrete to prevent cold loss to the ground.

Heat load calculation includes: 1) Transmission through walls/ceiling/floor (based on K-value), 2) Product load (type, quantity, initial temperature), 3) Lighting and equipment load, 4) People load (300W per person), 5) Door opening load (5–15% of total), 6) Safety factor of 20%. Example: a 10×10×4m room for poultry cooling at +2°C in Dammam requires approximately 25–35 kW.

Elfarida Ice serves all regions of Saudi Arabia from two main offices: Head office in Dammam (Eastern Province: Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Jubail, Al-Ahsa, Qatif, Hafr Al-Batin, Khafji, Ras Tanura, Abqaiq) and a Riyadh branch (Central Region: Riyadh, Kharj, Majmaah, Zulfi, Shaqra, Qassim: Buraidah, Unaizah, Ar Rass). We also serve the Western Region (Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Yanbu, Taif, Rabigh), the Northern Region (Tabuk, Hail, Arar, Sakakah), and the Southern Region (Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, Najran).

With our main centre in Al-Badiya district, Dammam, and a 24/7 emergency team, we reach any site in Dammam, Khobar, and Dhahran within 2–4 hours of calling our hotline 0598366214. For Jubail and Al-Ahsa within 4–6 hours, and for Qatif and Ras Tanura within 3–5 hours.

Yes, we serve the entire Makkah region: Jeddah, Makkah, Taif, Rabigh, Al-Lith, and Al-Qunfudhah. We have a mobile maintenance team departing weekly from Riyadh to cover the Western Region. For large new projects, we can provide a permanent team in Jeddah as required.

Elfarida Ice is an authorised Bitzer compressor service agent in Riyadh from our branch in As-Sulay district. We supply genuine Bitzer spare parts, factory-certified technicians from Germany, and a 12-month warranty on every service. Direct Riyadh line: 0548113865.

Fresh meat (beef, lamb): 0°C to +2°C with 85% humidity for 7–14 days. Frozen meat: −18°C to −22°C for 6–12 months. Dry-ageing rooms: +1°C to +3°C with 75–80% humidity for 21–45 days for premium beef.

Traditional vaccines require +2°C to +8°C in WHO PQS-certified medical refrigerators with a Data Logger, high/low temperature alarms, and a backup emergency system that maintains temperature for 4 hours during power outages. mRNA vaccines (Pfizer) require Ultra-Low −70°C freezers with a Cascade system.

A CA system controls oxygen levels (2–3%) and CO2 levels (1–3%) inside the cold room instead of normal air (21% O2). This slows the fruit's respiration and ripening, extending the shelf life of apples from 3 months to 12 months, and pears from 2 months to 8 months.

The best method is the Plate Freezer, where the fish is placed between two metal plates at −40°C and frozen in just 15–25 minutes, preserving cell structure and texture. The alternative is IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) air blast at −35°C for 30–45 minutes. Slow freezing destroys texture and nutritional value.

Dry dates (Sukkari, Khalas, Medjool): 0°C to +2°C with 70–75% humidity for 12–24 months. For high-moisture dates intended for export, freezing at −18°C for 24+ months is preferred, fully preserving texture and colour.

Both are among the world's finest compressors. Bitzer (German) excels in heavy industrial applications and ammonia systems, with a longer service life (>80,000 hours) and is best for large capacities (>50 HP). Copeland (American) leads in Scroll technology, quieter operation, better suited for supermarkets and restaurants, and slightly cheaper. The choice depends on the application type and budget. Elfarida Ice is an authorised dealer for both.

Assan Panel (Turkish): excellent economic pricing, high quality, K=0.022, most popular in Saudi Arabia, fast spare parts availability. Kingspan (Irish): premium, world's highest efficiency K=0.018 (20% energy saving), FM Global and LEED certifications, 25-year warranty, best for high-end projects. For commercial projects, Assan is more economical. For premium/pharmaceutical projects, Kingspan.

DX (Direct Expansion): refrigerant enters the evaporator directly. Economical, common, large refrigerant charge. Secondary Loop: an intermediate fluid (Glycol/Brine) carries cooling instead of refrigerant. Advantages: 80% reduction in refrigerant charge, higher safety for supermarkets, eco-friendly, easier maintenance. Drawback: 15–20% higher initial cost.

R404a (Freon): suitable for Saudi Arabia's hot climate, moderate cost, common with widely available parts, but GWP=3922 (high environmental impact). CO2 (R744): 100% eco-friendly (GWP=1), the future of refrigeration, but requires Trans-Critical technology for hot climates (Ejector Technology) and a higher initial cost. For large new projects in 2026, we recommend R448A as a middle ground (GWP=1387) or Trans-Critical CO2 for sustainability-focused projects.

Yes, Elfarida Ice is licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce with a registered commercial number, certified by Dammam Municipality for industrial works, and authorised dealers for Bitzer, Copeland, Danfoss, Friga-Bohn, and CAREL. Our work complies with SFDA requirements for food and pharmaceutical projects, and with the Saudi Building Code (SBC).

Comprehensive 12-month warranty on installation and labour, plus manufacturer warranties on components (compressors 18–24 months, insulation panels 10 years, valves 18 months). We also offer an optional extended warranty of up to 5 years for large projects.

Yes, we provide a free engineering consultation that includes: site visit, accurate heat load calculation, best design and equipment recommendations, detailed quote within 24–48 hours, and full technical explanation for the client. Call 0598366214 to book your appointment.

A medium-sized cold room (15–30 m³) typically takes 5–10 working days from the start of installation: 1 day for preparation and survey, 2–3 days for panel and frame installation, 1–2 days for mechanical unit installation, 1–2 days for electrical work, 1 day for commissioning and testing, and 1 day for final handover. Large projects (logistics warehouses >1,000 m³) take 30–90 days.

Yes, our emergency team is available 24 hours, 7 days a week on hotline 0598366214. Premium and Enterprise maintenance contract clients have guaranteed response within 2–4 hours in Dammam and Khobar, 4–6 hours in the rest of the Eastern Province, and within 24 hours across the rest of the Kingdom.