How to Cut Your DEWA Bill This Summer: 7 Energy-Saving Tips for AC and Fridges
If you live in the UAE, you already know the drill. The moment the temperature crosses 40°C, your AC barely gets a break — and neither does your DEWA bill.
The good news? You don't have to choose between staying cool and saving money. A few small habits, plus knowing what to look for in your appliances, can make a real difference by the time your next bill lands.
Here are 7 simple tips that actually work.
1. Set your AC to 24°C, not 18°C
It feels tempting to blast the AC as low as it goes, but every degree below 24°C adds noticeably to your consumption. Your unit doesn't cool the room faster at 18°C — it just runs longer and harder to get there. 24°C is the sweet spot most energy experts recommend for UAE homes.
2. Clean or replace your AC filters every month
A dusty filter forces your AC to work overtime just to push air through it. In the UAE, where dust builds up fast, a monthly filter clean can lower your energy use by a surprising amount — and it takes five minutes.
3. Don't let your fridge sit half-open
Every time the fridge door stays open while you decide what to eat, cold air escapes and the compressor kicks in harder to recover. Grab what you need and close it — small habit, real savings over a month.
4. Check your fridge door seals
If a piece of paper slides out easily when the door is shut, your seal is worn and letting cold air leak out constantly. This is one of the most overlooked reasons fridges run inefficiently — and it's an easy fix.
5. Keep your outdoor AC unit shaded and clear
Direct sun on your compressor unit makes it work harder to cool the same space. Where possible, keep it shaded and free of dust, leaves, or blockages so it can breathe properly.
6. Give your fridge and freezer some breathing room
Appliances placed too close to a wall or packed into a tight cabinet struggle to release heat, which means the compressor runs longer than it should. A few centimeters of space around your fridge goes a long way.
7. Choose appliances built for Gulf conditions, not just "energy efficient" on paper
Not all ACs and fridges handle 45°C+ heat the same way. Appliances designed and tested for the Gulf climate maintain efficiency even when the temperature outside is extreme — which is exactly where a lot of "energy saving" claims fall apart.
This is something we think about closely at Gratus. Our split ACs and refrigerators are built with the region's heat in mind, not just standard lab conditions — because a unit that's efficient in Europe isn't automatically efficient in Dubai in August.
Small changes add up fast in a country where AC and refrigeration run almost year-round. Try even three or four of these tips this month, and you'll likely notice it on your next bill.
The good news? You don't have to choose between staying cool and saving money. A few small habits, plus knowing what to look for in your appliances, can make a real difference by the time your next bill lands.
Here are 7 simple tips that actually work.
1. Set your AC to 24°C, not 18°C
It feels tempting to blast the AC as low as it goes, but every degree below 24°C adds noticeably to your consumption. Your unit doesn't cool the room faster at 18°C — it just runs longer and harder to get there. 24°C is the sweet spot most energy experts recommend for UAE homes.
2. Clean or replace your AC filters every month
A dusty filter forces your AC to work overtime just to push air through it. In the UAE, where dust builds up fast, a monthly filter clean can lower your energy use by a surprising amount — and it takes five minutes.
3. Don't let your fridge sit half-open
Every time the fridge door stays open while you decide what to eat, cold air escapes and the compressor kicks in harder to recover. Grab what you need and close it — small habit, real savings over a month.
4. Check your fridge door seals
If a piece of paper slides out easily when the door is shut, your seal is worn and letting cold air leak out constantly. This is one of the most overlooked reasons fridges run inefficiently — and it's an easy fix.
5. Keep your outdoor AC unit shaded and clear
Direct sun on your compressor unit makes it work harder to cool the same space. Where possible, keep it shaded and free of dust, leaves, or blockages so it can breathe properly.
6. Give your fridge and freezer some breathing room
Appliances placed too close to a wall or packed into a tight cabinet struggle to release heat, which means the compressor runs longer than it should. A few centimeters of space around your fridge goes a long way.
7. Choose appliances built for Gulf conditions, not just "energy efficient" on paper
Not all ACs and fridges handle 45°C+ heat the same way. Appliances designed and tested for the Gulf climate maintain efficiency even when the temperature outside is extreme — which is exactly where a lot of "energy saving" claims fall apart.
This is something we think about closely at Gratus. Our split ACs and refrigerators are built with the region's heat in mind, not just standard lab conditions — because a unit that's efficient in Europe isn't automatically efficient in Dubai in August.
Small changes add up fast in a country where AC and refrigeration run almost year-round. Try even three or four of these tips this month, and you'll likely notice it on your next bill.