Desert cooler, proper duct

Evaporative (desert) duct installation in Al Balad

In Al Balad, historic central Jeddah, evaporative duct installation suits the older buildings with exposed roofs and open floor plans. The cooler sits on the roof and distributes cool air through metal ducts to rooms and shops.

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  • Sealed roof
  • Galvanised duct
  • Air changes

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 you need evaporative cooler duct

  1. 1

    A large workshop or warehouse

    Large industrial spaces get very hot in Jeddah summers and split units are expensive to run there. An evaporative cooler with distribution duct brings air to work areas at lower running cost, provided the space is ventilated and not sealed shut.

  2. 2

    A majlis tent or seasonal space

    Outdoor majlis areas and seasonal tents do not suit split AC units because of the structure. Evaporative duct delivers a cool air stream as long as the space is open enough for air changes, which the survey confirms.

  3. 3

    Old duct with poor airflow

    Old sheet duct cracks over time and air leaks from the joints before reaching the space. On site we check whether the problem is leaking duct, poor distribution, or the cooler size itself.

Who it's for

  • Need to cool a large workshop at reasonable running cost

    We survey the workshop and check its ventilation, then run galvanised duct from the roof cooler to the work areas with exhaust openings that keep air moving through the space.

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  • You have an outdoor majlis that needs seasonal cooling

    We check how open the majlis is and assess its structure, then design the duct route and exhaust openings so cool air reaches the seating area without humid air building up inside.

    Ask on WhatsApp

What the work covers

  • Weatherproof roof collar fitted
  • G90 galvanised duct runs
  • Branch and air outlet connections
  • Exhaust openings for air changes
  • Airflow check after start-up
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How we work

How we work

  1. 1

    Site survey first

    We visit, measure the space and check how open it is, because evaporative cooling needs enough ventilation; without it humidity rises inside and the cooling effect drops.

  2. 2

    Plan the duct route

    We plan the main duct run, branches, air outlet positions and exhaust opening locations, and show you the layout before any work starts.

  3. 3

    Install duct and seal roof

    We open the roof, fit and seal the collar against leaks, then run the galvanised duct and hang it on proper supports so it does not sag.

  4. 4

    Start-up and test

    We run the evaporative cooler and check that air reaches every outlet and that the exhaust openings are working so fresh air is visibly moving through the space.

Planned duct or a quick run?

AlrabihThe usual way
Roof sealWeatherproof, sealed collarSilicone that cracks in heat
SheetG90 galvanisedUnspecified gauge
ExhaustSized openings for air changesLeft to chance
Space suitabilityConfirmed by surveyNot checked
Duct supportsFixed hangers along the full runDuct left unsupported

Everything your AC needs, from one team

From system design and duct fabrication to installation, commissioning and maintenance.

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”

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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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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 Balad's buildings are old and tall with traditional layouts, and many retain exposed roofs and internal courtyards that allow natural airflow. Evaporative duct suits these layouts because it relies on open air passages and natural ventilation, but we must check the roof's strength, inlet locations and exhaust routes before installation. Coastal humidity and dust from the south call for careful sealing of roof openings against leaks and dust ingress.

Al Balad sits at the heart of old Jeddah, a district of tall heritage buildings with exposed roofs and internal courtyards.

Most of Al Balad's older buildings can take evaporative coolers on their exposed roofs, with ducts running to courtyards and central passages.

The AC setup in Al Balad

  1. 1

    Rooftop cooler with duct to courtyards

    The cooler sits on the exposed roof, and ducts slope down into interior courtyards and passages to spread cool air.

  2. 2

    Air intake from upper facades

    Air enters through openings on the building's upper facades, away from street dust and traffic.

  3. 3

    Open exhaust vents in courtyards and passages

    Exhaust air vents through existing courtyards and central passages, so no new walls need opening.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Al Balad

  1. 1

    Confirm safe roof access

    Make sure the roof is safely reachable by stairs or passage, and tell us of any obstructions or security access needed.

  2. 2

    Identify courtyards and duct routes

    A simple sketch or description of interior courtyards and passages helps us plan duct routes before we visit.

  3. 3

    Tell us about the roof and upper walls

    Photos of the roof and upper facades show the structure's condition, cracks, and any old water damage that might affect installation.

More districts for Evaporative (desert) duct installation

Other services in Al Balad

FAQ

Questions about Evaporative (desert) duct installation

Does evaporative cooling work in Jeddah in summer?

Evaporative cooling relies on water evaporation and weakens when humidity is high. In Jeddah, humidity is higher near the coast and lower inland. The survey decides whether the space and the season are suitable, which is why we do not start before visiting the site.

Why do exhaust openings matter as much as the duct runs?

An evaporative cooler pushes fresh air in continuously. Without an exit path, humid air builds up inside and the felt temperature rises. Properly sized exhaust openings keep air moving through, not piling up, and that is the core of how this type of cooling works.

What sheet do you use for the duct?

We use G90 galvanised steel sheet, which resists rust in Jeddah's humid and salty air. The duct sections are formed in our workshop before being taken to site, then hung on supports along the run to stop them sagging.

Can one cooler supply duct to more than one area?

Duct can be branched from one unit to more than one outlet, but each branch reduces the airflow at every opening. The survey decides whether the cooler has enough output for the total area, or whether a separate unit for each wing is the better answer.

Can evaporative cooler duct run through a false ceiling?

Evaporative cooling depends on continuous air movement and exchange, which requires exhaust openings in the same space the duct serves. A false ceiling restricts that flow unless dedicated openings lead air out of the building. The site survey decides whether the structure allows it, because the duct run and the exhaust are designed together as one system, not separately.

Does evaporative duct suit Al Balad's older buildings?

Yes, if you have an exposed roof and interior courtyards to distribute the air. We survey the site to confirm the traditional layout allows safe exhaust openings.

Our roofs are high and narrow, how do you deliver the cooler and ducts?

Our team uses lifting gear and staging suited to narrow roofs, and we confirm safe roof access and unit placement in advance.

Does coastal humidity and street dust harm the evaporative cooler?

Yes, so we seal roof openings against moisture and dust ingress with waterproof sealant, and design air intakes to filter dust before it reaches the cooler.

Does the roof need reinforcing before installation?

We inspect the roof's strength and load-bearing beams on the first visit, and advise if reinforcing is needed before installation starts.

The Jeddah corniche in cool weather

Start with a site survey

WhatsApp a photo and rough dimensions of the space, and we will book a survey visit in your district, Saturday to Thursday, eight in the morning to eight in the evening.

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