Energy Matters: Boosting Energy Efficiency in Dubai Homes through Personalised Advice

Building on the momentum to improve energy efficiency in Dubai, TAQATI - Dubai Energy Efficiency Program announced the successful completion of the pilot Home Energy Advice Program. The program was run across 60 homes in Dubai as part of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Ideal Home Initiative and supports DEWAs efforts to achieve the Smart Dubai initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.

The Home Energy Advice Program was created to support TAQATIs efforts in raising awareness on energy efficiency amongst Dubai residents, as part of Dubais Demand Side Management (DSM) Strategy which aims to reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2030. The program provides personalised advice to homeowners to help reduce their energy consumption. As part of the pilot program, teams made up of representatives from TAQATI, DEWA and AESG advisors visited 60 homes in Dubai to collect information on electricity and water consuming appliances and on behavioural elements, and to conduct basic technical tests, including water flow testing.

The Home Energy Advice Program is one of the enabling mechanisms to improve awareness amongst Dubai residents to achieve energy savings in the residential sector as part of the Demand Side Management method as stated by H.E. Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

TAQATI works in line with the strategies and goals set by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and contributes to promoting sustainable development. The Home Energy Advice program not only provided the residents with advice and information on methods to minimise home energy use, but also helped them reduce energy bills without compromising on comfort, said Ali Al Jassim, CEO of Etihad ESCO.

Following the visits, a personalised home energy conservation report (in English and Arabic) was shared with each home to highlight potential water and electricity savings through customised energy conservation measures and tips.

The Home Energy Advice Program, is the first-of-its-kind in the UAE, and has received positive feedback from the home owners, displaying their interest in learning more about their home energy efficiency and willingness to conserve energy and generate savings on their utility bills.

Utilising personalised assessments and expert advice, the Home Energy Advice Program is designed to make beneficial long-term changes for Dubai consumers. While the pilot project has been successful and received positive feedback, TAQATI will assess the results of the pilot program in achieving water and electricity savings in Dubai homes. Once we have achieved positive results, theprogram will be rolled out on a larger scale across Dubai to enhance energy efficiency in Dubai homes said ArefAbou Zahr, Executive Director of TAQATI.

TAQATI is a dedicated Program Management Office for Dubais DSM Strategy which targets a reduction in energy consumption by 30 per cent by 2030.It was established by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) under Etihad Energy Services Company to provide implementation support and guidance to all relevant stakeholders for the DSM Strategy.