It is natural to start wondering what causes the sudden changes in your monthly bill. Since the answer may lie in habits already rooted in our daily routine. For instance, the extremely hot climate is one of the major reasons for high water and electricity bills in the UAE. People usually use more air conditioners and water during summer.
Besides, numerous factors influence your energy bills to skyrocket, considering the place where you live and the way tariffs are charged. However, it is essential to know the reasons for high consumption of electricity and water.
Reasons for High Consumption of Electricity and Water
Several reasons can contribute to the increase in water and electricity bills. Read on and find out if any of them fit your case.
Reasons Behind High Electricity Bills
The following can be the common reasons behind higher electricity bills.
Vampire Sources Draining Power
One of the common causes of high consumption of electricity is that you leave your electronic appliances plugged in whether they are in use or not. Sometimes you forget to turn off the TV, even when you are not watching, or to leave the lamps on even during the daylight hours. It might not seem a big deal, but it can significantly increase your electricity bill when it becomes a habit.
Some common vampire sources of high electricity consumption include plugged-in laptops or phone chargers, microwaves, television, printers and more.
Using Non-Energy Efficient Bulbs and Appliances
Some of your electric appliances can also be a reason behind high electricity consumption. Energy-efficient or high-star appliances are designed to use less electricity, which translates into savings on your electricity bill. This can especially make a difference for appliances you use all the time, such as your fridge, AC or lights. You can save on your electricity bills by replacing the bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights.
Using AC at Full During Summers
Your AC can also be one of the reasons for the high electricity bill. It is one of the highest consuming devices, especially during summer. We advise you to use the air conditioner only when you are in the room. However, opt for a ceiling fan when available, as it consumes 90% less energy. If it is too hot, a good combination is to turn on the fan and leave the air conditioning on.
Also, these practices with your AC can help in reducing the AC electricity consumption:
- Keep doors and windows closed while your AC is on
- Clean the filters periodically
- Do not cover the air outlet
- Protect the outside against the sun
Lights and ceiling fans are not used strategically in the home.
Every house needs some kind of lighting, be it ceiling lights or lamps. Ceiling lights can create a bright room, but they are not efficient or strategic. You can also try lamps. They provide direct light instead of ceiling lights. Also, make sure you turn off the lights and fans if no one is in the room.
Defective Appliances
If your monthly energy bills suddenly go up without any explanation, you need to check that the appliances in your home are in good condition. Appliances that consume significant amounts of energy can include a fridge, AC and television. Therefore, it is advisable to properly maintain some of these appliances. You should also keep an eye on the signs of electrical issues.
A defective appliance can easily cause a shock or fire, which can be even more expensive. If you notice any faults with any device or suspect that it is using much more power than before, it is wise to call in an expert. Check out these used lighting/fans for sale in the UAE and select a range of options from here.
Poor Home Insulation
Another element that could explain why your electricity bill is so high is poor insulation. No matter how efficiently you heat or cool your home, if it’s poorly insulated, your heating and cooling systems will be working at full capacity to maintain a set point.
Insulation helps keep the warm air inside your home during the winter months and the cool air inside in the summer. Good insulation can make a huge difference to your bill. Improving your home’s insulation can help you save on your electricity bills.
Indicators of poor home insulation include temperature variations between rooms and increased electricity bills. People living in the UAE can go for reliable MEP companies:
Reasons Behind High Water Bills
As far as water consumption is concerned, the following are some of the reasons why your water bill is high.
Seasonal Increase
Let’s start with a simple reason. Your water bill may show a sudden increase because your water usage may have gotten higher than usual lately. This often happens in the summer, when people start filling swimming pools and simply taking a shower more often.
Hidden Leakage in Your Water Connections
One of the common reasons why you are consuming more water is water leakage. It causes a sudden spike in water consumption. The most common cause of high water consumption are hidden leaks. Hidden leaks are leaks in or under concrete slabs as well as leaks behind toilets, under sinks or from outside faucets that are rarely used.
leaks from your plumbing pipes are a little harder to spot because they’re usually inside walls. It helps if you use your nose, as well as your eyes, to look for clues, such as:
- Strange musty smells from the air or your water supply
- Discoloured water
- Stained, bubbling, or peeling paint
- Growth of mould or mildew
The hidden leakage can cause a problem that can lead to severe water damage in your home. You need an emergency plumbing repair.
Watering Your Garden During Noon Time
Keeping your lawn well-maintained is important. However, watering them all the time not only makes them over-watered but also increases your water bills. To help you with this, we advise you to water your garden in the early morning or after 6 pm.
Irregular Maintenance of your Swimming Pool
The lack of maintenance of your swimming pool can also be one of the major causes of high water consumption. It may be because your pool pump is not working properly. This is why it is recommended to maintain your swimming pool to avoid a sudden rise in water consumption.
How to Monitor Electricity and Water Consumption in Dubai
DEWA Smart Living is all about making smart choices. You can monitor your daily electricity and water consumption with the help of the DEWA Smart Living dashboard. It allows you to compare your electricity and water consumption with other homes in your area.
Moreover, DEWA Smart Living also tracks your consumption when you are away from your home. Besides, you can also install a ‘high water usage alert’ on your Smart Living dashboard to monitor water consumption.
Also, if you are living in Dubai, check out these tips to reduce DEWA bills.
That’s the wrap of our list of common causes of high consumption of electricity and water. If you are living in a rental apartment in the UAE, higher electricity consumption can become a burden on your pocket. However, if you keep a check on your appliances or water consumption via DEWA Smart Living, then you can save on your monthly bills.
If you find these tips useful, stay in touch with the UAE’s leading property blog for more.
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