Dubai: Here's one quick, really simple tip to save power in the middle of the Dubai heat — and have a "greener summer" instead.
Keep your thermostat set at 24 degree Celsius, or higher, and on "auto," not "on."
By raising the temperature of the air-conditioning system even slightly, consumers can reduce their electricity bills.
How? Each degree can mean up to 9% savings on cooling costs, according to Dewa.
Here's one more tip: Air conditioning takes the lion's share (up to 60%) of the electricity generated during peak hours. It's pretty obvious; reducing the use of ACs — when no one's inside the cooled premises anyway — also reduces your electricity bills.
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And if you look at the larger picture, it frees up power generated for more useful purposes, boosts the overall reliability and efficiency of the power network.
That's where "peak-load" comes in. Peak load is the period of time during the summer days when the city's power usage takes a huge spike, due to the sheer rise in demand.
That period is from 12noon to 6pm every day during summer — the time slot when power charges are higher than other times of the day.
There's a good reason for it: Power is precious, so protecting them and using them rationally is everyone’s responsibility.
Charges go up per kilowatt-hour to discourage mindless consumption. The great thing about this charging scheme is that it incentivises consumers who consume less power and water using the slab tariff scheme.
Green summer
DEWA's annual campaign dubbed "Let's Make this Summer Green", aims to boost awareness about the importance of adopting sustainable practices and smart consumption.
"DEWA attaches great importance to the rational use of energy in its efforts to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to establish a sustainable model of energy conservation that can be exported to the whole world," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA.
"Our goal is to become the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050. These efforts also support the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy to reduce energy demand by 30 percent by 2030.
"Dewa adopts a clear strategy to raise awareness about the importance of the sensible use of energy. This involves all customers in Dewa's efforts to protect the environment and preserve natural resources in order to ensure sustainable development," he noted.
"Dewa's programmes and initiatives between 2009 and 2016 have made considerable savings in electricity and water. Dewa's customers saved over 1.54 TW/h of electricity and 6.2 billion gallons of water, worth over Dh957 million. The generated savings resulted in offsetting around 831,000 tonnes of carbon emissions," the authority said in a statement.
Everyone is responsible
Khowla Al Muhairi, vice-president of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Dewa, said rational use of energy is everyone’s responsibility.
“Each one of us can make a difference by rationally using electricity and water, and making this behaviour a daily practice," said Al Muhairi.
"Through this campaign, we encourage customers to schedule the use of high-energy appliances in the morning or evening if this is possible, away from the peak-load hours of 12-6pm,” Al Muhairi said.
FUEL SURCHARGE FOR JUNE 2017
According to Dubai utility, the fuel surcharge for June 2017 is 6.5fils/kWh for electricity and 0.6 gills/Imperial gallen for water.
To check your actual or potential consumption, try this online tariff calculator.
TIPS
To save on you power and water bills, try these simple measures:
• Avoid using electrical appliances that use a lot of electricity such as irons, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters, and electrical ovens during peak-load hours from 12-6pm. Instead, operate them during off-peak hours, especially in the summer
• Adjust air conditioning to 24°C.
• Switch off the A/C when you leave the room
• Use ceiling fans to keep air circulating
• If air conditioning is on in a room, ensure all doors and windows are closed so cold air doesn’t escape
• Use a programmable thermostat control air conditioning.
• Turn off unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic devices and unplug them to eliminate standby use.
• Irrigate your garden and water your plants at night time or early in the morning to reduce water evaporation.
MORE TIPS
• If your central or room air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it could be doubling your cooling costs.
Use ceiling fans to circulate air. They use about as much electricity as a light bulb and can make you feel comfortable at higher thermostat settings. Oh, and do not forget to turn fans off when you leave the room.
• Clean or replace your air conditioner filter monthly so your air conditioner runs efficiently.
• Plan ahead! Schedule heat-producing activities like laundry, ironing, and cooking at cooler times of day when possible.
• Turn off lights when not needed, especially incandescent and halogen types.
• Be aware of temperatures! If it's cooler inside than outside, then close all windows and drapes. If it's cooler outside, open everything up to ventilate and let the outside air cool your house.
• Use drapes, shades, awnings and reflective materials to reduce the heat entering through glass.
• Use room exhaust fans in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom to pull hot, humid air up and out.
• Apply weather stripping and caulking around all doors and windows to keep the chilled air inside your house.
• Install a setback thermostat (Clock thermostat) that automatically switches your air conditioner on or off depending on your presence.
- Source: Dewa
