By : Nahla Muqalad

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has urged customers to rationalise the use of electricity and water, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan. This is in line with the teachings of Islam, which prohibit wastefulness in all its forms, and the values of the Holy Month that call for moderation and avoiding waste. The move is part of DEWA’s strategy to consolidate the foundations of sustainability and spread environmental awareness. DEWA has provided tips that help customers reduce their consumption of electricity and water through simple steps. Following are some tips that can be implemented at home:

Cooling

·       Keep your thermostat set at 24°C, or higher. Each degree increase in set point temperature can save up to 5% on AC consumption.

·       The optimal lifetime of an AC is ten years. If yours are older, consider replacing them with new energy-efficient ACs with 4 or 5 stars from ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology). This will help you save up to 25% of cooling consumption.

·       Clogged or dirty AC filters can block the normal airflow and reduce the system's efficiency significantly. It is recommended to clean your AC filters periodically or at least once a month during Summer.

·       Apply weather stripping and caulking around all doors and windows to keep the cooled air inside your house and to prevent hot air from entering into your home.

·       The optimal lifetime of an AC is ten years. If yours are older, consider replacing them with new energy-efficient ACs with 4 or 5 stars from ESMA (Emirates Standardization and Metrology). This will help you save 25% of cooling consumption.

Lighting

·       Turn off unnecessary lights and use natural lighting as much as you can in places which are not exposed directly to sunlight during summer.

·       Use LED lighting and clean them regularly.

·       Use timers or motion-detectors to control the light's operation, wherever applicable.

·       Install dimmers to control the brightness of lights and reduce energy consumption.

Refrigeration/Freezing

·       Set the fridge temperature to 4°C. or to the manufacturer's recommendation to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy.

·       Keep your freezer temperature at - 18 degree Celsius.

·       Check your refrigerator/freezer door gasket periodically for signs of deterioration.

·       Allow hot food to cool down before placing in your refrigerator (not more than 30 minutes)

·       Keep your fridge away from the oven, dishwasher, dryer and direct sunlight to avoid overworking.

Cooking

·       Use a microwave instead of your main oven whenever possible.

·       Use flat-bottom pans for best contact with the heat, with tight-fitting lids to keep the steam in the container. Pressure cookers use less energy than ordinary pots and pans.

Dishwashers and Washing Machines

·       Only run your dishwasher and washing machines when it is full to make the best use of water, energy and detergent.

·       When purchasing a new appliance, look for one offering several different cycles, including an eco-cycle. This will allow you to select more energy and water efficient cycles when heavy-duty cleaning is not required.

·       Dryers consume a lot of electricity. Take advantage of the sunshine and hang your clothes to dry.

Showers and Faucets

·       Install a water-efficient showerhead with a flow rate of less than 8 litres per minute.

·       Install aerators on your kitchen and bathroom faucets to reduce faucet water use by up to 40%.

·       Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving and save more than 5 gallons (19 litres) per day.

·       Clean vegetables in a bowl partially filled with water rather than running water from the tap, taking into consideration all health issues.  Reuse the water for plants at your home.

Bathroom/Water closet

·       New toilet models use up to 6 litres of water per flush, which saves about 6 litres per flush compared to the older models, resulting in an annual water saving of around 10,000 litres per person.

·       Check toilets periodically for leaks and repair them promptly.

Irrigation

·       Water your plants before 8 am or after 6 pm to reduce evaporative losses.

·       Check sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good condition.

·       Adjust the timer on automatic sprinklers according to seasonal water demands and weather conditions.

·       Place your sprinkler, so it only waters the lawn, not the pavement. Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation.

General tips

·       When purchasing a new appliance, consider purchasing one with a high ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology) energy efficiency rating (5 or 4 stars), to save energy.

·       Wash your car with a bucket of soapy water instead of using a hose or pipe.

·       Clean your outer courtyard with a broom instead of the hose.

·       Cover your swimming pool to reduce water losses due to evaporation.

·       Clean the outdoor yard with a manual vacuum cleaner instead of using a water hose.

·       Conduct a leak test two times a year by switching off all water devices and checking the water meter. If the meter is still running, there might be a leak in the water pipes or system.

You can read more conservation tips through DEWA’s smart app and website https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/Sustainability/sustainability-conservation-tips