Sustainability & Conservation Tips

• 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 Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA). This will help you save up to 25% of cooling consumption.
• Use fans to circulate air. They use about as much electricity as a light bulb and can make you feel comfortable at higher thermostat settings, and do not forget to turn fans off when you leave the room.
• 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.
• During the winter season, utilise the pleasant weather and low temperature to cool & ventilate your home instead of ACs to conserve electrical energy.
• During the summer season, use curtains, drapes, shades, awnings and reflective materials to reduce the heat entering through your glass or windows.
• 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.
• Use a programmable thermostat (Smart Thermostat) to better control the room temperature and AC operation duration. This will in turn reduce AC consumption.

• Turn off lights in unoccupied areas to save energy.
• Use efficient lights (LED) for indoor & outdoor lighting because of their longer lifespan and higher-efficiency compared to equivalent conventional lights.
• Clean your light bulbs regularly, as dirt limits diffusion of light and decreases illumination.
• 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 timers or motion-detectors to control the light's operation, wherever applicable.
• Install dimmers to control the brightness of lights and reduce energy consumption.

           Cooking

• A microwave consumes less energy than an oven.
• Use flat-bottom pans for best contact with the heat, with tight-fitting lids to keep the steam in the container.
• Pressure cookers use lesser energy than ordinary pots and pans.

            Water Heaters and Water Coolers

• Switch off electrical water heaters during summer and water coolers during winter, this can save up to 50% on your water heating and cooling energy consumption.
• When purchasing a new water heater, it is advisable to purchase solar water heaters if possible, or electrical water heater with top rating (5 or 4 Stars) as approved by ESMA.

            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.
• Keep your fridge away from the oven, dishwasher, dryer and direct sunlight to avoid overworking.
• When purchasing a new fridge, consider purchasing one with a high energy efficiency rating (5 or 4 stars) as approved by ESMA to save energy.

            Dishwashers

• Only run your dishwasher when it is full to make the best use of water, energy and detergent.
• When purchasing a new dish washer, consider purchasing one with a high ESMA energy efficiency rating (5 or 4 stars).

            Washing Machines

• Wait till you have a full load of laundry before running the machine to save both water and energy. If you can't wait for a full load, use the right water level to match the size of the load.
• When purchasing a new washing machine, consider purchasing one with a high ESMA energy efficiency rating (5 or 4 stars).
• Reducing the temperature at which your washing machine operates is an easy way to save electricity. You don't always need to wash your clothes on higher temperature settings.
• Dryers consume a lot of electricity. Take advantage of the sunshine and hang your clothes to dry.

• 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.

• 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.

            General Watering

• Water your plants before 8 am or after 6 pm to reduce evaporation losses.
• Use Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) from Dubai Municipality (if available) to irrigate green spaces when possible.

            Sprinklers/Sprinkler Systems

• 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.
• Install a rain shutoff device on automatic sprinklers to eliminate unneeded applications.
• Place your sprinkler, so it only waters the lawn, not the pavement. Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation.

• 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 water hose.
• Cover your swimming pool to reduce water losses due to evaporation.
• 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, this indicates a water leak in the pipes or system.

My Energy my Responsibility’ is a joint campaign by multiple government organisations under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. It is managed by the Dubai Energy Efficiency Programme (TAQATI), and aims to unify energy efficiency campaigns and provide a unified voice and consistent messages to target audience.

To know more please visit the official website of the campaign: http://www.myenergymyresponsibility.ae/