Central AC, start to finish

Central AC installation in Al Shara'i

In Al Shara'i, north-east Jeddah, residential areas mix villas and mid-rise buildings, requiring diverse central AC designs. Alrabih works on each building type with precise calculations and professional installation tailored to the site and budget.

  • Design and build
  • Own-workshop ducts
  • Full commissioning

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

Who needs a complete central system?

  1. 1

    A new villa before finishing

    The finishing stage is the right time to run central AC ducts before the ceilings close. Delaying the decision means extra cost later or compromises in the duct route that weaken airflow in certain rooms.

  2. 2

    A commercial or office building

    A commercial building needs airflow that fits how the floors are divided and how the load varies between levels. The site survey sets unit count, duct routes and outlet positions before any decision is made.

  3. 3

    An old system draining power

    Old units, deteriorating ducts and leaking copper push the electricity bill up without cooling the space properly. Replacing the whole system starts with a fresh load calculation, not with larger units pushed into the same old ductwork.

Who it's for

  • Building a villa and need ducts before ceilings close

    We visit during the finishing stage, design duct routes and outlet positions, fabricate the ducts in our workshop and install them before the ceilings close, so you take over a fully working villa.

    Ask on WhatsApp
  • Managing a commercial building and replacing an old system

    We recalculate the loads, design airflow to match the current floor layout and replace both units and ductwork completely so the system runs reliably without repeated faults.

    Ask on WhatsApp

What the contract covers

  • Load calc and system design
  • Units from authorised distributors
  • Duct fabrication and fitting
  • Insulated Mueller copper runs
  • Full commissioning and handover
Request a quote

How we work

How we work

  1. 1

    Survey and load calculation

    The engineer visits, measures each zone, and calculates the thermal load per area, accounting for facade orientation, ceiling height and how the space will be used in Jeddah's hot and humid conditions.

  2. 2

    Design and unit selection

    We draw duct routes and outlet positions and select units from Carrier, YORK, General, Midea, Gree or Smart Gold, then present the design to you before any work begins.

  3. 3

    Fabrication and installation

    Round and rectangular ducts are fabricated in our workshop from G90 galvanised sheet to SMACNA standards, then installed on site alongside the copper runs, insulation and electrical connections.

  4. 4

    Commissioning and handover

    We pressure-test the copper lines, vacuum them, check air balance at every outlet and condensate drain fall, then hand the system over to you in full working order.

One contractor or several parties?

AlrabihThe usual way
Design and buildOne party accountableDesigner and installer split
DuctsOur workshop, G90 standardUnmonitored outside suppliers
CopperMueller up to 30 metres unweldedUnknown source, many joints
CommissioningPressure test, vacuum, air balanceStraight power-on, no testing
InsulationArmaflex and Kimmco fittedPatchy or missing

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

Al Shara'i is a mixed district with villas alongside 3 to 5-storey apartment buildings, with regular but not wide streets and medium-sized plots. This mix means some villas can take one central compressor on the roof, while apartment blocks may need shared distribution or separate units per flat. Early planning focuses on fitting the existing building design and finding space for ducts and the outdoor unit.

Al Shara'i lies in north-east Jeddah, a mixed residential district of villas and mid-rise apartment blocks on regular streets.

Villas in Al Shara'i typically have one compressor unit, whilst apartment blocks use either separate units per flat or a shared distribution system between several flats depending on the building deed.

The AC setup in Al Shara'i

  1. 1

    Central compressor for villas

    Al Shara'i villas rely on one compressor unit on roof or yard, with ducts branching to all rooms.

  2. 2

    Separate units per flat in apartment blocks

    Apartment blocks typically have an independent compressor unit per flat, mounted on each unit's balcony or rear space.

  3. 3

    Shared system with individual meters

    Some modern blocks adopt a central distribution system with meters per flat measuring cooling consumption.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Al Shara'i

  1. 1

    For apartment blocks, get building management approval

    If you are in an apartment block, provide the building management with a written request before we visit, detailing the installation required and proposed locations.

  2. 2

    Agree on outdoor unit location with neighbours

    If your flat shares walls with neighbours, agree with them on the outdoor unit location to avoid future complaints.

  3. 3

    Check the building's electrical condition

    Ask the management about available amperage and current board capacity, and send us a photo of the main panel before our visit so we can assess feasibility.

FAQ

Questions about Central AC installation

How do you decide the right unit size for my villa?

We calculate the thermal load for each zone based on its area, ceiling height, number of external openings, orientation and how it will be used. In Jeddah the sun's effect on west-facing facades is significant, and high humidity goes into the calculation. We choose the unit size after this calculation, not before.

Do you make the ducts yourselves or buy them ready-made?

We fabricate round and rectangular ducts in our own workshop from G90 galvanised sheet or aluminium sheet depending on what the project needs. This lets us cut ducts to the exact site dimensions and fit them tightly, avoiding ill-fitting sections that leak air and raise electricity consumption.

What if the copper run to an outdoor unit is very long?

We use Mueller copper in runs of up to 30 metres without welded joints, which reduces potential leak points. If a run exceeds that, the survey determines whether the outdoor unit position needs rethinking or whether the refrigerant charge needs adjustment according to the type shown on the unit's nameplate.

Can each floor of the villa run on its own?

Yes, and it is settled at the design stage. Each floor can have its own unit, or the network can be split into zones with dampers and a thermostat in each, so you do not cool the whole upper floor while the family sits in the majlis. We recommend the right option after the load calculation.

Do the outdoor units need a special base on the roof?

Yes, and the roof surface determines what kind of base is needed. For villas we fabricate a raised steel frame that keeps the unit clear of pooled rainwater and allows airflow beneath it. The exact height and angle depend on the roof pitch and the condensate drain position, which the site survey establishes. The aim is to keep the unit level and to prevent vibration movement during operation.

I am in an apartment block. Can we install shared central AC across several flats?

Yes, if the neighbouring flats agree and the property deeds allow it. We design a distribution system serving several flats from one compressor unit, with meters or valves for individual cooling control, so each flat pays according to its usage.

In an apartment block, where can we safely mount the outdoor unit without bothering neighbours?

We inspect the roof, yard and shared spaces beforehand, choosing a spot away from neighbours' windows that avoids noise or vibration. If the roof is shared we get written building management approval before starting.

Al Shara'i has coastal humidity and dust. Does that affect the outdoor compressor unit?

Yes, humidity and coastal salt speed metal corrosion. We select units with high rust protection, install them for good airflow around the condenser, and recommend periodic condenser cleaning to remove dust and salt buildup.

Power in our older apartment block is limited. How do we handle a new compressor unit's electrical needs?

We inspect the electrical board and existing cables first. If they are insufficient, we may propose splitting the load between two flats with separate units, or upgrading the electrics with a new board, and we tell you the cost of each option upfront.

The Jeddah corniche in cool weather

Start with a site survey

WhatsApp a brief description of the villa or building and your district, or call us Saturday to Thursday between eight in the morning and eight in the evening to arrange a survey visit.

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