How to save on your energy bill?

Having a pre-summer checkup of your airconditioning unit can make a big difference

As mercury rises,

Gulf News offers a guide to cut down on power usage and ensure your home is running as efficiently as possible |

As the weather in the UAE begins to get warmer, your energy bill can really burn a hole in your pocket if you’re not careful.

Gulf News offers this guide as temperatures creep higher and higher to cut down on energy usage and ensure your home is running as efficiently as possible.

When it comes to the airconditioning units at home, it’s very important to make sure they are well maintained by having a pre-summer check-up from a reputable maintenance company. It is vital to give your AC system the once-over to ensure air filters are clean, refrigerant levels are topped up and electrical connections are working correctly. Throughout the year, ACs accumulate dust over time that block your air vents. Even if you’ve put your AC on a specific temperature, it will not be as cold as you want it to be, because the vents are blocked. Make sure they are clear so that the airflow is not blocked. The optimum money saving temperature is 24 degrees Celsius. That is the most cost-effective option in the UAE.

When it comes to appliances around your home, don’t just switch them off when you aren’t using them, actually switch off the power or unplug them to eliminate standby use. In addition, fit LED lights instead of traditional bulbs where possible as they use less energy and last longer than conventional bulbs. They also produce less heat.

Around 90 per cent of a washing machine’s energy is used to actually heat the water, so washing your clothes at 30C to 40C will help keep your electricity bill in check. The best time to do laundry is in the morning or evenings. The period from noon to 6pm, is the time slot when electricity is used the most in the UAE. This period is known as peak-load hours. Limiting the use of non-essential appliances during peak-load hours means electricity can be provided more efficiently and reliably according to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).

Water wastage is very common in homes all over the country. Toilets alone can account for almost 30 per cent of all indoor water use, so fit a dual flush button to save on wastage. Also, bear in mind that older toilets, those installed before 1994, tend to use much more water per flush, so installing a newer model can save the typical household up to 82,135 litres of water per year. Installing aerators in your water taps can also help. This is a clever way to reduce water consumption by forcing air into the water flow, without disrupting water pressure.

Another tip to save water is to take quick showers rather than baths. You could save an average of 76 litres of water. In addition, fitting a water-efficient shower head will earn you even more green stars. As a quick test, if it takes less than 20 seconds to fill a fourlitre bucket from the shower head, it means a lot of water is being used, then the shower head could benefit from being replaced.

On very hot days, you can avoid overheating your home by preparing your meals on the stove instead of using the oven. Even better, add some more cold dishes to your culinary repertoire and cut down on cooking altogether. You can also aim to minimise other everyday activities that generate heat, such as using a dishwasher and using devices such as curling irons or hair dryers.

Another way to save the heat in your home is to draw the curtains in empty rooms to help reduce the heat radiation through your windows which will keep your home cooler and your AC more efficient.