Here are some positive changes you can make, to help lower your energy bills and save you money.
The first step to saving money on energy is to understand what you’re spending – and how much gas and electricity you’re using. You can check your bills and compare your usage to the expected usage for similar households.
DEWA’s Smart Living initiative can help you monitor your consumption and make decisions to reduce consumption.
Once you’ve worked out how much energy you’re using – and how much it’s costing you – there are plenty of things you can do to make better choices and use less.
Air conditioning accounts for almost half of all electricity consumption. Although it’s tempting to switch the AC to ice-cold in the summer, keeping your thermostat set at a comfortable 24°C, or higher, can help lower your energy bills.
Keeping your fridge at 4°C (or the manufacturers’ recommended temperature) can help avoid excessive cooling and save energy.
Avoid putting your washing machine onto a higher setting. Most detergents work perfectly well at lower temperatures like 30 degrees. You could save money by using an eco-wash setting and also waiting until you have a full load of washing.
Take advantage of the sunshine and hang your clothes to dry, rather than using a tumble dryer, to save on electricity.
If you have a desktop computer, try to avoid using it if you can use a laptop instead. Laptops typically use a lot less power, so this could make a big energy saving if you're working from home. A laptop can also give you the freedom to move to cooler areas of your home.
Items left on standby still use electricity, even when not in use. Save energy by switching off your television, for example, at the plug socket.
If you switch off electrical water heaters during summer, and water coolers during winter, you can save up to 50% on your water heating and cooling energy consumption.[@dubai-electricity-water-authority]
Having a quick shower, instead of a bath, is an easy way to reduce the amount of water you use – and the energy needed to heat the water.
You can also save more than 5 gallons (19 litres) of water per day, by turning off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving.[@sustainability-and-conservation-washrooms-and-faucets]
Water your garden early in the evening (after 6pm) to reduce evaporation and save water.
As well as changing your habits, you can also make positive changes to your home to make your property more energy efficient.
