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Managing Humidity and Air Leakage in Coastal Cities like Jeddah and Dammam

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Coastal cities such as Jeddah and Dammam face unique environmental challenges due to high humidity, salty air, and extreme heat. These conditions not only affect outdoor comfort but also have a major impact on a building’s interior environment, energy efficiency, and long-term durability. Two of the biggest contributors to these challenges are air leakage and uncontrolled humidity problems that many buildings in Saudi Arabia struggle with, especially older structures.

In this blog, we break down how humidity and air leakage interact, why they are significant issues in coastal regions, and what modern solutions like air sealing can do to protect buildings, reduce energy costs, and improve comfort.

Why Coastal Cities Face Higher Moisture Challenges

Jeddah and Dammam both sit on the coastline, which exposes them to:

  • High humidity levels throughout the year

  • Salt-laden air that accelerates material corrosion

  • Extreme temperatures, often above 40°C

  • Pressure differences caused by HVAC systems and wind

When outdoor humid air leaks through cracks in walls, roofs, windows, or ducts, buildings become harder to cool and moisture levels rise indoors. This leads to comfort issues, higher energy bills, and long-term structural risks.

How Air Leakage Makes Humidity Problems Worse

Air leakage is the uncontrolled movement of air through gaps around:

  • Windows and doors
  • Electrical outlets and plumbing penetrations
  • AC ducts and vents
  • Wall-to-roof connections
  • Cracks in masonry or concrete

In humid coastal climates, this becomes a serious issue.

1. Moisture Enters the Building Easily

When the HVAC system cools the indoor air, pressure differences pull warm, humid outside air into the building through leaks. This raises indoor humidity levels beyond what AC systems can handle.

2. AC Systems Become Overloaded

Cooling systems in Jeddah and Dammam already work extremely hard. When humidity increases due to air leakage:

  • AC runtime increases
  • Energy bills rise
  • Equipment lifespan shortens

3. Mold and Condensation Risks Increase

Warm, salty, humid air hitting cold interior surfaces can create:

  • Condensation
  • Mold growth
  • Material decay
  • Poor indoor air quality

Salt in the air accelerates corrosion, especially around metal components, ductwork, and electrical systems.

Impact on Energy Costs in Jeddah & Dammam

Studies show that up to 30–40% of cooling energy loss in buildings comes from air leakage.

In coastal areas, the combination of humidity + leakage multiplies the problem:

  • AC units must remove both heat and moisture
  • Cooling becomes less efficient
  • Annual energy bills increase significantly

This is especially costly for:

  • Hotels
  • Apartment
  • Commercial buildings
  • Hospitals
  • Villas with large glass fronts

Common Signs of Air Leakage and Humidity Problems

Buildings in Jeddah and Dammam often show similar symptoms:

  • Rooms feel sticky or damp even with AC running

  • Uneven cooling between different zones

  • Walls or windows show condensation

  • Musty odors in rooms or closets

  • AC units needing frequent maintenance

  • Rising mold or mildew in bathrooms or kitchens

These indicators point to one underlying issue: uncontrolled outdoor moisture entering through the building envelope.

How Modern Air Sealing Solves the Problem

Advanced air-sealing technologies such as AeroBarrier are transforming how buildings in Saudi Arabia manage humidity and leakage.

Unlike traditional methods that only address visible leaks, modern air sealing:

  • Uses controlled pressure
  • Finds leaks as small as a human hair
  • Seals them automatically
  • Provides measurable blower door test results

Benefits Include:

✔ Reduced Indoor Humidity Levels

Sealing leakage points prevents humid outdoor air from entering.

✔ Improved AC Efficiency

Units cool faster and with less energy, lowering electricity bills critical in high-consumption regions.

✔ Better Indoor Air Quality

Dust, pollutants, salty air, and outdoor moisture stay out.

✔ Reduced Mold & Structural Damage

Controlled humidity means fewer condensation and corrosion risks.

✔ Increased Building Lifespan

Humidity is one of the biggest contributors to building deterioration in coastal cities.

Why This Matters for Vision 2030 and Net-Zero 2060

Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals require buildings to become more energy-efficient and resilient. Coastal cities like Jeddah and Dammam consume massive amounts of energy for cooling because of climate conditions.

By reducing air leakage:

  • Buildings cut cooling loads
  • HVAC systems last longer
  • Operational costs drop significantly
  • Carbon emissions decrease

This aligns directly with the Kingdom’s long-term environmental initiatives.

 

Best Practices to Manage Humidity and Air Leakage

1. Conduct a Blower Door Test

Identifies how much air your building is leaking.

2. Seal the Building Envelope

Use advanced air-sealing solutions instead of traditional labor-heavy methods.

3. Maintain Proper Ventilation

Adequate ventilation prevents moisture buildup indoors.

4. Inspect AC Ducts

Leaky ducts cause high energy waste and humidity infiltration.

5. Use Dehumidification Solutions (if needed)

Especially for hotels, commercial spaces, and villas near the coastline.

Conclusion

Managing humidity and air leakage in coastal cities like Jeddah and Dammam is essential for achieving long-lasting building performance, energy savings, and healthier indoor environments. As the region grows rapidly and older buildings undergo retrofits, air sealing has become one of the most powerful, cost-effective solutions available.

By controlling the entry of humid, salty outdoor air, developers and building owners can protect their assets, reduce energy costs, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s sustainable future.

 

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