One can find it difficult to cope with the summers in Dubai. Air-conditioning is an ultimate solution to beat the summer heat which can come as a costly option. However, homeowners or tenants have two options to choose from: district cooling and chiller-free apartments in Dubai. The options may be overwhelming for property buyers or renters because each has its own set of pros and cons.
If you are confused between the district cooling or chiller-free apartments, here is a detailed comparison between the two options.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISTRICT COOLING AND CHILLER-FREE
Both cooling systems come with their set of benefits. For instance, both have their operating costs and offer different indoor air quality. Let’s go through the details about district cooling and chiller-free apartments in Dubai explaining the pros and cons. This will help the owner or tenant to choose from the two options.
DISTRICT COOLING
The district cooling system is deployed in residential buildings, shopping malls, hotels, offices, and hospitals. Moreover, it is a relatively new technology that keeps environmental concerns in mind and is more cost-friendly. That said, district cooling systems have ascertained advantages and disadvantages. Let’s go through them:
PROS
- Reduces Peak Electricity Consumption: It is an energy-efficient system thanks to its configuration and use of heat rejection method.
- Fewer Emissions: Advanced technology and processes make district cooling systems better than a chiller-free system. It uses alternative fuels making the system environmentally friendly.
- Higher Reliability at Lower Cost: The district cooling system saves peak load with a thermal storage capacity that reduces the monthly electricity bills.
CONS
- Higher upfront construction cost: District cooling systems require higher installation costs due to a complex underground system.
- Tenants need to pay for the bill: When it comes to bill payment, tenants need to bear the cost of paying the DEWA bill for the unit with the district cooling system. Whereas, the bill for a chiller-free unit is mostly paid by the landlord.
COST OF A DISTRICT COOLING SYSTEM
Emicool and Empower are the two top district cooling companies in Dubai. According to Empower, the charges of a district cooling unit depend on consumption and demand charges.
The following rates are charged from the owners or tenants using district cooling system:
- Consumption Charges: 0.568 fils per Refrigeration Ton (RT)
- Demand Charges: AED 750 per month/RT
According to Empower’s example, yearly demand charges are 6 RT and 1 RT costs AED 750 making annual demand charges AED 4500.
Other charges include maintenance costs which are AED 30 per month or AED 50 quarterly. Besides, the disconnection charges are AED 1000 for residential units and AED 2000 for commercial units.
CHILLER-FREE
The major difference between district cooling and chiller-free units is that the latter’s bill depends on the usage recorded in your electricity meter. Let’s go through the benefits and drawbacks of chiller-free systems. This will help you decide between the two different cooling systems in Dubai.
PROS
- Chiller-free bills are not included in the tenant’s DEWA bill: According to the tenancy laws in Dubai, the maintenance costs and chiller-free unit bills are paid by the landlord. Therefore, it is ideal for tenants as they will only have to pay rent and other DEWA bills.
- Lower installation costs: It can be installed on the roof. Besides, the chiller-free systems have a simple design which reduces the upfront costs compared to the installation of district cooling systems.
- Low maintenance costs: The system is not complicated due to fewer parts. This reduces the wear and tear inside the system which makes its maintenance costs lower.
CONS
- Higher bills: A chiller-free can be good for a tenant but the landlord has to bear higher bills since this system is less energy-efficient.
- More emissions: Rising concerns over depleting resources and global warming have reduced the use of chiller-free systems due to the usage of refrigerants.
COST OF A CHILLER-FREE SYSTEM
The cost of a chiller-free system depends on usage. It is charged according to the DEWA units used.
District Cooling Vs Chiller-free: Which is better?
When you rent an apartment in Dubai, you will look for living costs. This is why it is essential to understand which system is better- district cooling or chiller-free. Both have their pros and cons. While district cooling is more energy efficient and reduces peak load charges, the chiller-free has lower maintenance and installation costs.
Also, tenants mostly look for chiller-free apartments as the house owners bear the bills of a chiller-free apartment. Whereas in some cases, the landlord reduces the rent, and the tenant has to pay the DEWA bill according to their usage of the chiller-free system. That said, it is important to calculate the annual costs with and without chiller-free unit charges and mention the clause in the tenancy agreement accordingly to avoid future conflict.
These were all the differences between the district cooling and chiller-free units. Whether you own or rent a house in Dubai, make sure you understand the difference between the two systems.
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