Your home
Get switched-on to being a Smarter Saver at home - and trim your energy bills with just a little forward planning. From Smarter Cooling to Smarter Washing, there's no end of everyday ways to save.
1 How are you rated?
These days, most new kitchen appliances come with an energy efficiency rating. If you're shopping for one, always try to choose the most energy efficient model.
2 30 is the new 40
Where possible, run your washing machine on its 30°C cycle. It'll save energy and the results will be just as good. Try not to do a wash until you have enough laundry to fill it to capacity.
3 Don't stand by
If you leave your TV or computer monitor on standby overnight, it uses almost as much electricity as it does when it's switched on. Remember to turn it off... and unplug.
4 Fill the cup, not the kettle
If you're only making one or two hot drinks, don't boil a whole kettle. Just boil what you need - it'll be quicker, too.
5 Turn it up
There's no need to freeze indoors. So set your thermostat to 25°C and switch your control to 'Auto' mode (not 'on') to be in for real savings. According to DEWA, every degree of extra cooling you forego means a 9% saving. And, as the mercury rises, make sure to fix weather stripping around your doors and windows to keep the cool air in and the warm air out.
6 Filter it out
Don't forget to keep your air conditioning unit in top condition. Clean the filter regularly and it'll not only be more efficient - it'll be cheaper to run.
7 Get in a spin
A ceiling fan costs about as much as a light bulb to run - and can help you feel more comfortable by distributing cool air more effectively.
8 Let there be light
Make the most of what Dubai has in abundance - the sunshine - and let the light flood in. Turn off lights, especially old-style incandescent bulbs and modern halogen lamps - whenever they're not needed. If you can, try to replace incandescent bulbs with new, energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights..