Sharjah: Summer utility bills are higher because of greater consumption, and not due to “overbilling”, the chairman of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) has told Gulf News.
Addressing the concerns of those Sharjah residents who fear they are being overcharged, due to a recent spike in their bills, Dr Rashid Al Leem said bills are strictly based on consumption, which rises in summer mainly because of increased air-conditioning (AC) use.
AC consumption accounts for around 80 per cent of electricity consumption, which in turn constitutes the bulk of the total utility bill, accounting for 70 to 80 per cent of the net amount during peak summer, the Sewa Conservation department pointed out.
In the extreme summer heat of the UAE, where highs can reach 50 degrees Celsius, residents crank up the AC and have more ACs running at home to cope with the heat.
“We at Sewa are very transparent. Every year, mostly around summer time, there are some complaints where the customer feels he or she is being overcharged. When you check, the bill is in line with the consumption. We, as an authority, have no control over your [electricity, water and gas] meters,” Dr Al Leem said.
He pointed out that some residents have even managed to decrease their average bill because of conservation measures at home, often with assistance and guidance from Sewa.
Also allaying worries regarding overbilling, another senior Sewa official told Gulf News it is possible to see a genuine sharp rise in the monthly bill.
“When your next bill comes in, and it’s double what you paid last month, you can feel frustrated. Some people do feel they have been billed wrongly. But that is a matter of perception. In reality, the bill is higher only because the consumption is higher,” the official said.
He added: “We checked the cases brought to our attention recently, including at least two cases forwarded by Gulf News. You can see the bills had also risen sharply last summer. In fact, compared to the historical pattern of one customer, he is actually paying less this summer. But he still felt that he was being overcharged this year. However, the bill, upon investigation, turned out to be strictly according to his utility consumption levels.” The official also noted that the customer had not paid his previous month’s bill, which had been mentioned under “arrears” of the latest bill and added to the total amount due.
He added that some residents leave their AC on even when they step outside because they want to return to a cool home. “So the AC is running 24/7, or you’ll have ACs on in all rooms in summer, when only one AC would be enough in cooler months.”
The official conceded that in rare cases, the bill had risen sharply after Sewa had resolved metering issues. “[For example] you cannot have a zero water reading if you’re at home. But this was what the bill had reflected each time, over a period of almost a year, in one of the cases that we investigated. When the meter reading issue was resolved, the customer was billed retroactively, on the basis of an average of his consumption history. He was surprised at the higher bill. He had not paid attention to the zero figure under the water consumption category in his bill, for almost a year.”
The official advised residents to read their bills closely, while also paying attention to “adjustments” category that reflects abnormal — higher or lower — charges.
Another reason why some customers used to feel they were overbilled, he added, was because of the relatively long duration between the meter reading date and the bill invoice date — when the bill is actually generated.
“So the bill used to reflect consumption levels that were almost two months old in some cases. If you were on holiday abroad for a month and you saw the bill when you got back, you thought it was for the period you were away. But we have resolved this issue and the invoice date is very close to the reading date, no matter what billing cycle you’re in,” the official said.
If you feel you’re being overbilled
Go with valid ID and account number to nearest Sewa customer care centre. They will review your bill on the spot and explain how the bill was calculated
You can also request for a review through complaints@sewa.gov.ae
If you’re not satisfied with the review or need further assistance, you can reach the Sewa chairman directly. He can be contacted through the “Communicate with Chairman” link on the top of the homepage of www.sewa.gov.ae. Make sure the form is filled out accurately and all relevant details are included.
Save resources, save bills
To save power
1. When buying a monitor, opt for LCD screens as they are 60 per cent more efficient
2. Replace old bulbs with LED lights
3. Clean light bulbs often — greasy and dirty bulbs reduce output to 10 per cent
4. Unplug kitchen appliances such as grinders, mixers, juicers, blenders — they consume some energy even when switched off
To save water
1. Close the tap while brushing your teeth. Use only a cup of water instead. By doing so you can save five gallons per day.
2. Replace all your showerheads and filters with water-flow reducers
3. Take a quick shower rather than a bath and save an average of 20 gallons of water.
Source: Sewa conservation department
