Design before you buy
HVAC design in Al Balad
HVAC design in Al Balad starts by calculating the heat load for each room in the old or new building, then selecting the right system type and drawing the layouts before buying any equipment. This ensures even cooling distribution and avoids wasting money on oversized or undersized units.
- Accurate heat loads
- System selection
- Duct drawings
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
Who needs a considered design?
- 1
Owner planning a new build
Before walls and ceilings are finished you still have the chance to route ducts and place units correctly. Early design prevents costly surprises during fit-out and delivers rooms that cool evenly from the first day of operation.
- 2
Architect or contractor needing drawings
The project needs mechanical drawings to co-ordinate with the structure, electrical and plumbing trades. We produce duct layout drawings, equipment positions and installation heights in a format the site can use directly.
- 3
Existing building with uneven cooling
Some rooms stay hot even with the AC running while others are over-cooled. The cause is usually wrong airflow distribution or uncalculated capacity. A redesign finds the fault and defines what needs changing before any new purchase.
Who it's for
Building a villa and want design before fit-out
We calculate the heat load for every room in the villa and draw duct routes before ceilings are closed, so you avoid breaking the finished work later.
Ask on WhatsAppRunning a commercial building with hot rooms
We review the current airflow distribution and recalculate loads per space, then identify faults in the ducts or equipment and draw the required changes before any purchase.
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What the design covers
- Heat load per room
- Right system type selected
- Equipment from authorised brands
- Duct distribution layout drawings
- Equipment schedule for construction
How we work
How we work
- 1
Gather building data
We ask for the architectural drawings or visit the site to measure spaces and record glazing, orientation and internal loads from people, equipment and kitchens.
- 2
Calculate heat loads
We calculate the heat load for each space separately, accounting for Jeddah's intense sun, high humidity and exposed facades, so every unit is sized on real load not guesswork.
- 3
Select system and equipment
Based on loads and building type we choose between splits, ducted systems, central air and chiller, and specify equipment from Carrier, YORK, General, Midea, Gree and Smart Gold to suit the project.
- 4
Draw and deliver
We draw duct routes, unit positions, diffuser locations and installation heights, and deliver a complete equipment schedule ready for construction or tendering.
Calculated design or buying blind?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| Unit size | Based on actual load | Guessed or oversized |
| Airflow distribution | Drawing that achieves even flow | Diffusers placed at random |
| Co-ordination | Drawings before fit-out | Costly changes later |
| System type | Suited to building and budget | Whatever the shop suggests |
| Humidity and salt air | Accounted for in equipment choice | Discovered after installation |
Everything your AC needs, from one team
From system design and duct fabrication to installation, commissioning and maintenance.
Split AC installation
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Request this serviceDuct cleaning & sanitising
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Some of our work
Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
- 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”
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 reviewService 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.
What sets this district apart
Al Balad mixes heritage residential blocks tightly built around the markets with relatively new buildings, meaning some clients need to retrofit cooling into an old building with small spaces and varied ceiling heights, while others want a modern system for a new block. Design here must account for the old buildings' constraints on space and ductwork, and the new buildings' flexibility in layout.
Al Balad is in historic downtown Jeddah, a mixed district with heritage residential blocks and popular markets alongside newer construction.
Most older buildings in Al Balad use separate split units, while newer blocks can accommodate a central system with concealed ducts.
The AC setup in Al Balad
- 1
Separate split unit per older residential unit
The old buildings in Al Balad are too tight for shared ducts, so the design relies on one split unit per flat or shop.
- 2
Central system with concealed ducts for newer blocks
New blocks in Al Balad have enough space and ceiling height for concealed distribution ducts in suspended ceilings.
- 3
Outdoor units with corrosion-resistant materials
The coastal location demands careful selection of outdoor unit materials to withstand humidity and salt air over years.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Balad
- 1
Confirm parking and narrow entry points
Tell us the nearest parking point and the width of the main entrance so we reach you with measuring tools without delay.
- 2
Open all interior rooms and spaces
Ensure access to every room and the roof or balcony for the outdoor unit before the visit.
- 3
Prepare building details and usage information
Ready the number of occupants and activity type in each space (residential, commercial, storage) so the designer can calculate the heat load accurately.
More districts for HVAC design
Other services in Al Balad
FAQ
Questions about HVAC design
When is a chiller more suitable than split units?
The decision depends on the building area, number of spaces and how it is used. In large commercial and hotel buildings a chiller gives flexible control and simplifies central maintenance. In apartments and smaller villas a split or ducted system usually fits better. The calculated heat load is what determines the right choice for your building.
How does a large glazed facade affect the design?
Large glazing exposed to Jeddah's sun raises the heat load noticeably, especially on west and north-west facades. We calculate solar gain through each facade separately, and this can change the unit type selected for that room or require extra diffusers to handle the higher load.
Can you design for an existing building with no architectural drawings?
Yes. When no drawings exist we visit the site and measure every space ourselves, recording facades, glazing and how each room is used. The survey takes longer than reviewing ready drawings, but the calculations still rest on real measurements rather than estimates, which is what makes the results reliable.
Does the design include diffuser types and dampers?
The drawings specify diffuser types, positions and sizes to match ceiling height and room shape, and show where dampers are needed to balance airflow to each zone. These details matter because a diffuser in the wrong place wastes a large part of the system capacity even when the units are correctly sized.
Does duct design differ between the ground floor and upper floors?
Yes. The top floor typically carries a higher heat load because the roof is directly exposed to the sun, which affects duct sizes and the number of diffusers needed on that level. We design each floor separately based on its own calculated load and show where dampers are needed to balance airflow between floors.
We have a mix of old and new buildings here, how do you choose the right system?
We visit the building, measure the spaces, openings and insulation, then calculate the heat load for each room. Based on that we recommend separate split units for older, tighter buildings, or a central system for new ones that can take ducts.
Al Balad's streets are very narrow, is it difficult to bring in equipment for design visits and later installation?
During design we only need a tape and light measuring tools, but we ask about the nearest parking point beforehand. When it comes time to install, we plan the equipment routes based on passage and entrance widths.
Your older buildings are close to the sea, does that affect the AC design?
Yes, the humidity and salt air near the sea affect our choice of outdoor unit materials and placement. We select units with higher corrosion resistance and position them away from direct wind exposure where possible.
Does the design account for old electrical wiring in the heritage buildings?
Yes, we check the electrical circuit capacity and supply power before sizing the unit. Older buildings may need wiring upgrades before installation, which we outline in the report.
