Desert cooler, proper duct

Evaporative (desert) duct installation in Al Muhammar

In Al Muhammar, east Jeddah, villas and apartment blocks have varied roof types and relatively spacious interiors. Alrabih's team surveys the roof location and space distribution to design an effective evaporative duct system.

  • 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.

    Ask on WhatsApp
  • 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
Request a quote

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

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.

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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 Muhammar is a residential district with villas and blocks of varying sizes and roof heights and depths. Older buildings may have smaller or less clear roofs, whilst newer ones offer wider roofs with more load capacity. Dry air suits evaporative cooler efficiency, but dust and sand from surrounding roads call for strong filters and careful vent design. Installation requires checking roof strength and ensuring good duct insulation to cut heat loss through uncooled spaces.

Al Muhammar lies in east Jeddah, a residential district mixing villas and blocks of varying sizes and ages.

Al Muhammar's roofs vary between modern and older villas and blocks, some requiring engineering assessment before cooler installation to ensure safety and load capacity.

The AC setup in Al Muhammar

  1. 1

    Cooler on roof with prior structural check

    Al Muhammar's varied roofs need pre-installation checks to ensure weight capacity, especially on older villas and blocks.

  2. 2

    Insulated duct routed carefully

    The duct is heavily insulated and routed carefully through available spaces to avoid heat loss from uncooled zones.

  3. 3

    Wind and dust-protected exhaust vents

    The vents are specially angled with very strong filters to protect the duct from dust and strong winds in Al Muhammar.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Al Muhammar

  1. 1

    Have the roof inspected before our visit

    If the villa is older, consult a local engineer or tell us about roof condition so we can assess it thoroughly during our visit.

  2. 2

    Map out possible duct routes

    Identify the interior passages and spaces available for duct routing, and let us know about any existing pipes or lines.

  3. 3

    Check for alternative outdoor vent locations

    Make sure there is adequate space on side or rear roofing for exhaust vent placement away from the front.

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.

My villa is old and the roof may not support the cooler weight, what is the solution?

We assess the roof technically before installation. If it is weak, we advise on structural strengthening or choose an alternative mounting location that distributes the weight safely.

Some of my interior spaces are tight, can the duct run through them?

We route the duct through available passages and spaces. If there is not enough room, we design an alternative distribution or use smaller duct with extra vents.

Al Muhammar gets strong winds and dust, how do you protect the duct?

We fit very strong filters on the outdoor vents, study the wind direction when positioning the exhaust, and choose angles that reduce dust entry.

The duct may pass through uncooled hot spaces, does that affect performance?

Yes, heat around the duct increases cooling loss. That is why we use heavily insulated duct and minimise its length through uncooled spaces.

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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