Warehouse Cooling

Warehouse HVAC in Southern Housing

In Southern Housing south Jeddah, mid-size warehouses and residential buildings repurposed as storage need cooling systems that balance efficiency with available capacity. We design flexible solutions suited to older buildings and mixed-use spaces.

  • Zone control
  • Stock protection
  • Directed ventilation

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 warehouse needs a proper HVAC system

  1. 1

    Heat that damages stored stock

    Food, pharmaceutical and electronics stock all have storage temperature limits. When a metal warehouse roof bakes under Jeddah's sun, the air inside becomes a direct threat to shelf life and product quality. The solution starts with a survey of the racking layout to find the critical zones.

  2. 2

    Workers overheating in the picking area

    Workers in the picking and loading area move constantly under a hot roof. Natural ventilation alone is not enough in summer. We choose between direct cooling and evaporative cooling based on a site survey and the indoor humidity level.

  3. 3

    Warehouse offices that are never comfortable

    Supervisor and reception offices have different needs from the large storage hall. Putting them on one system raises cost and weakens performance in both areas. We give the office zone its own system and link it to the warehouse with pressure-control points.

Who it's for

  • Storing heat-sensitive stock in a warehouse

    We locate the critical zone in the racking layout and design an independent cooling system with its own controls, keeping that area at a safe temperature separate from the rest of the warehouse.

    Ask on WhatsApp
  • Building a new warehouse and need HVAC from the start

    We join the project at design stage before the roof closes, mapping cooling zones, ventilation and duct routes to fit the racking plan and loading doors from the outset.

    Ask on WhatsApp

What the system covers

  • Racking layout and zone map
  • Cooling units per zone
  • Ductwork from our workshop
  • Independent controls per zone
  • Airflow check after start-up
Request a quote

How we work

How we work

  1. 1

    Site survey

    We visit the warehouse, measure the internal height, review the racking layout and the positions of loading doors and offices, then map the main thermal zones before proposing any system.

  2. 2

    System design and zoning

    We design a system for each zone: central or split units for offices and critical stock areas, and evaporative or mechanical ventilation for the picking area where indoor humidity allows it.

  3. 3

    Duct fabrication and installation

    We fabricate round and rectangular ductwork in our workshop from G90 galvanised sheet to the site dimensions, insulate with Armaflex or Kimmco materials, then mount the units, run the copper and connect the control points.

  4. 4

    Start-up and handover

    We start each zone separately, measure airflow at multiple points across the warehouse floor, and check that all drain lines are clear before handing over.

A zoned system or unplanned scattered units?

AlrabihThe usual way
Zone designSurveyed and mapped before fittingUnits added when complaints come
DuctworkFabricated to site dimensionsFlex duct without calculation
Evaporative coolingWhere humidity allows itFitted without measuring humidity
Sensitive stockSeparate zone with its own controlLeft in the general air
Copper runsMueller, weld-free to 30 mMultiple welded joints

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

Southern Housing evolved from older residential buildings, some now converted to small and mid-size storage and warehouses. Buildings have relatively thick concrete roofs and strong bearing walls but few windows and limited natural ventilation, creating substantial heat buildup. Old central systems may exist but are inefficient or broken, so we choose between retrofitting the old system or installing new distributed units. Electricity in these older buildings is often limited, so we split load across multiple units.

Southern Housing lies in south Jeddah, a district of mid-size storage and warehouse conversions in older residential buildings now for commercial use.

Most buildings here have old defunct or inefficient central systems, and the decision between repair and replacement depends on compressor and pipe condition.

The AC setup in Southern Housing

  1. 1

    Upgraded central system from old infrastructure

    If the old system is salvageable, we upgrade it with a new compressor and replacement piping to improve efficiency without full rebuild.

  2. 2

    New distributed units instead of central

    If damage is severe, we install several smaller units distributed across floors or areas, reducing electrical and thermal load.

  3. 3

    Simple control system for multiple units

    Managing several separate units requires a simple central control system allowing different temperatures and flexible shutdown as needs vary.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Southern Housing

  1. 1

    Full inspection of any old central system

    If the building has an old central system, schedule a full inspection of compressor, piping and evaporator before deciding repair or replacement.

  2. 2

    Confirm main electrical wiring is safe

    Inspect the electrical panel, main wiring and grounding before installation, especially if buildings are very old.

  3. 3

    Plan humidity and drainage management

    Check drainage points from indoor and outdoor units and confirm safe drainage away from inventory and walkways.

FAQ

Questions about Warehouse HVAC

Is evaporative cooling right for a warehouse in Jeddah?

It depends on indoor humidity levels and the type of stock stored. In well-ventilated open areas where stock is not sensitive to a small rise in humidity, evaporative cooling can work well. The site survey gives a clear answer before any decision is made.

How do you handle the height in tall warehouse bays?

In a tall bay, cool air settles low and hot air rises, which works in your favour when diffusers are aimed correctly at the working level and the racking. We set diffuser angles and positions during design based on the racking height and the movement aisles.

Can cold storage zones link to the rest of the warehouse system?

Cold rooms and freezer rooms run on their own refrigeration systems, which we install as a separate service. What we handle here is the ambient air around those room doors, so warm warehouse air does not rush in when they open, managed by pressure zoning between the two spaces.

Do warehouse air ducts need insulation?

Yes, especially ducts that run close to the hot metal roof. Without insulation, cool air gains heat before it reaches the diffusers and loses much of its effect. We insulate with Armaflex or Kimmco materials and seal joints with Foster sealants to stop air leaks.

Does airflow distribution differ between tall racking aisles and open floor areas?

Yes. In tall racking aisles the airflow path narrows and slows, so we choose directional diffusers that push air along the aisle length rather than spreading it sideways. In open floor areas we use wider-angle diffusers. The angle and position of each diffuser are set at design stage based on the aisle width and racking height.

The building has an old defunct central system, should we repair it or replace it?

We inspect the compressor, piping and evaporator first. If the compressor is sound and pipes leak-free, we may repair the system affordably. If damage is extensive, we recommend new distributed units which cost less over time.

The old building has poor ventilation, does AC alone suffice?

AC cools but less efficiently without natural ventilation or good humidity drainage. We recommend opening windows at certain times or installing basic ceiling fans to improve distribution and reduce moisture.

The old residential building's power is very limited, what can we do?

We split the electrical load across separate units instead of one large unit, and check the main panel and wiring, recommending electrical upgrades if needed.

Humidity and mould in storage are problematic, how does AC help?

Good AC lowers humidity whilst cooling. We recommend partial air recirculation with an extra filter, regular evaporator coil cleaning, and may add a small dehumidifier if needed.

The Jeddah corniche in cool weather

Plan your warehouse cooling

Send us a floor plan or photos of the warehouse on WhatsApp and we will arrange a survey visit, Saturday to Thursday, eight in the morning to eight in the evening.

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