Air conditioning is not an appliance added at the end. It is built into the walls and ceilings from day one, and once the ceiling closes, nothing can change without demolition. This page sets out Falcon’s method for villa air conditioning, and what to check when you compare contractors.

The systems

We install split, ducted and VRF systems, depending on the villa and the design.

Diffuser positions

We agree the diffuser positions with the finishing team before the gypsum ceiling goes up. A diffuser in the wrong place creates hot and cold zones in the same room. In the right place, it spreads the air evenly and sits cleanly in the ceiling.

Finished gypsum ceiling with a linear air-conditioning diffuser, recessed lighting and access panels

Duct sizes

Next, duct sizes are calculated from each room’s heat load, the duct length, the number of bends and the diffuser type, rather than estimated by eye. In Jeddah, heat coming in through walls and glass adds a lot to the load, especially in west-facing rooms.

Insulated AC ducts branching from the main duct under the concrete slab, before the gypsum ceiling goes up

Insulation

We insulate the copper pipes and the ducts before the ceiling closes. Without insulation, moisture condenses on them, which leads to slow leaks inside the ceiling, damaged gypsum and higher electricity bills.

AC ducts wrapped in insulation under the concrete slab, before the ceiling is closed

Testing and drains

We pressure test the copper lines. In addition, the condensate drain pipes slope all the way, so water does not sit in them.

Outdoor units

We decide where the outdoor units go at the design stage, in a ventilated space. A unit squeezed into a tight or poorly ventilated spot loses efficiency fast in Jeddah’s heat.

AC pipe outlets and concrete pads prepared on a villa roof for the outdoor units

Who checks it

Every Falcon project has a dedicated site engineer. The site engineer inspects and signs off each stage, followed by the client’s consultant if there is one, before the next trade starts. In addition, the work follows the Saudi Building Code, the approved drawings and the manufacturer’s instructions. See also how we build gypsum ceilings around the AC.

Shortcuts to watch for on cheaper jobs

  • Ducts not sized by calculation.
  • The same duct size in every room, whatever its size.
  • Kinked or crushed ducts inside the ceiling.
  • Pipes and ducts left uninsulated.

The result: rooms far from the unit stay warm, diffusers get noisy and bills rise. Leaks inside the ceiling damage the gypsum and paint, and the fix means demolishing finished ceilings.

Gypsum ceiling with water stains and damaged board from a leak above it

Questions to ask any contractor about villa air conditioning

  • How will the duct sizes be calculated for each room?
  • Who agrees the diffuser positions, and when?
  • Will the copper pipes and ducts be insulated before the ceiling closes?
  • Will the copper lines be pressure tested?
  • Where will the outdoor units go, and how are they ventilated?

Building a villa in Jeddah?

Send us your drawings and we’ll prepare a written, itemised quotation. See also the Falcon Standard for how we handle the other stages of the build.

Request a quotation