Dubai’s summer sun is a force to be reckoned with, and keeping your cool often means a not-so-cool jump in your DEWA bills. Here are some tips to help you stay comfortable and save money this summer.
Master the Thermostat
It's tempting to crank the AC down low, sometimes as low as 18 C (we have all done that). But a small adjustment can make a big difference. Aim for a comfortable setting around 24 C in your apartment. Reducing the temperature below 23 C doesn’t necessarily increase your comfort level. The ideal temperature for thermal comfort is between 23.5 C to 25.5 C in summer. Every degree lower that you set on the AC’s thermostat increases your energy consumption roughly by 5 % meaning higher DEWA bills. So, setting the temperature at 24 C ideally gives you more comfort and saves energy.
Harness the Power of Nature
Embrace Dubai’s beautiful early mornings and evenings. Open your balconies and windows to let in the cooler air when the temperature dips. During the day, keep them closed and have the curtains drawn to block out the harsh sunlight. This helps maintain the apartment’s temperature for longer periods.
Unplug the Unused
Electronics continue to drain energy even on standby. Leaving the wall socket on or not unplugging uses up electricity at a surprising rate. This is known as the phantom load.
The phantom load is any electronic appliance that consumes electricity when it's turned off but is still connected to the mains via the wall socket. We put numerous electrical devices on standby after using them, which wastes electricity at alarming rates.
Place all the plugs connected to one extension cable where possible. For example- the desktop PC, printer, and monitor onto one extension cable. Then switch off the extension plug socket when not in use. Get in the habit of unplugging chargers, TVs, and other appliances (don’t forget the ones in the kitchen).
Embrace the Fan-tastic Alternative!
Pedestal fans circulate cool air without increasing the power costs like the air conditioner. Most of the newer models of pedestal fans in the market are lightweight and can be carried around the house. They use only as much electricity as a light bulb and can make you feel comfortable in a higher AC setting. Do not forget to turn the fans off when you leave the room. For an extra refreshing boost, place a bowl of ice water by the fan for a cool mist effect.
Let There Be Light (Efficiently)
Switch to LED bulbs throughout your apartment. They not only use less energy but also emit less heat. Many residents consume a large chunk of energy because of the light bulbs in their apartments. Switching to LED bulbs can reduce your DEWA bills by up to 80%. LED light bulbs save your power bills because a conventional bulb has a lifetime of about 2,000 hours (about 2 and a half months) while standard LED light bulbs have up to 20,000 hours (about 2 and a half years). Longer-lasting bulbs mean fewer replacements, reducing your overall costs.
This summer, spend more on cool refreshing treats and less on your power bills! We encourage all Al Ghurair Residents to adopt these smart moves in their homes to kill the summer bills.
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