Keeping Your Home Cool in a Dubai Summer: DEWA's Advice

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recommends setting air conditioners to 24°C on automatic mode, and says lowering the setting by one degree can raise AC consumption by about 5%, according to Gulf News in August 2026. DEWA also advises running heavy appliances outside the hottest part of the day, between 12pm and 6pm. Here is how its advice translates into a cooler, more comfortable home through the summer months.

Set the thermostat, then leave it

A setting of 24°C on automatic mode is DEWA's standing recommendation. If 24°C feels warm at first, a ceiling or pedestal fan alongside the AC helps move cooled air around the room, which Gulf News lists among its summer tips.

Shift heat-making chores

DEWA's advice is to avoid non-essential appliances between 12pm and 6pm. It names washing machines, dishwashers, electric ovens, water heaters and irons. DEWA suggests running them in the morning or evening instead.

When you go out or travel

DEWA's advice for an empty home is to switch the AC off or set it to 27°C, Gulf News reported in June 2024. DEWA's website also notes that appliances left on standby can account for up to 10% of household electricity consumption, so switching off at the wall before a trip saves power while nobody is home.

Keep the sun out

Curtains, blinds and drapes block heat coming through windows, and Gulf News lists them among its summer measures alongside DEWA's advice. Its 2024 guide also suggests sealing gaps around doors and windows so cooled air stays in.

Look after the AC unit

• Clean the filters, ideally once a month in summer, as Gulf News suggests.
• Check the rating when replacing a unit. DEWA recommends four- or five-star models with an ESMA rating, which it says can cut cooling consumption by up to 25%. Gulf News suggests considering replacement for units more than 10 years old.

Use DEWA's tools

ToolWhat it does DEWA app and websiteBill breakdowns and comparisons with similar homes, under DEWA's Smart Living initiative; log in at dewa.gov.ae with UAE Pass Consumption Assessment ToolHelps you see where your electricity and water go Away ModeDaily or weekly consumption emails while you are travelling (smart-meter customers) High Water Usage AlertFlags unusual water use that may point to a leak

Away Mode is useful over the long summer break: if consumption jumps while the home is empty, you will know early. It is activated through the DEWA app or website.

Check for leaks

Summer is a good time to inspect water tanks, washing machine connections, kitchen and bathroom fittings, outdoor pipes, and walls and floors for damp. DEWA's High Water Usage Alert, your bills and your meter readings can all point to a hidden leak.

Summer checklist

• AC at 24°C, automatic mode, with a fan to circulate air.
• Heavy appliances before 12pm or after 6pm.
• Curtains or blinds closed on sunny windows in the afternoon.
• AC filters cleaned monthly.
• Away Mode switched on, and the AC off or at 27°C, before you travel.
• For a comfortable workspace at home, see our guide to setting up a desk to work comfortably.

For general information. Details can change; check with DEWA before relying on them.