DUBAI 25 July 2018: New research released reveals UAE residents are wasting money and energy on cooling empty properties throughout the summer.
The YouGov poll, commissioned by cooling and energy solutions firm Taqeef, interviewed 1,000 UAE residents and revealed:
- A quarter leave their AC on at home all day while they are out at work
- A quarter (24%) admit to keeping their AC on while they leave the country and travel during the summer
- Men are more likely to leave their AC on when they travel (26%) compared to women (19%)
- Expat Arabs are the most energy conscious group with 72% switching off their AC when they travel, followed by Asian residents (67%) and then Westerners (62%)
- Income and marital status does have a bearing on AC usage; 42% of those with an income of Dh75,000+ per month are most likely to leave their AC on, as well as 29% of married couples, followed by 24% of those with children and then 23% of people living alone
- Over half (58%) said they would use their AC less if they had to pay the full bill themselves (instead of it being a fixed cost in their rent).
Despite the findings, it seems consumer understanding of the environmental impact of excessive AC use is high – (74%) of respondents admitted they are aware that using their AC excessively can have a negative impact on the environment.
Dubai previously noted as having one of the highest carbon footprints per capita in the world, Taqeef pointed out.
Tariq Al Ghussein, Taqeef Chairman and CEO, explains: “Technology advancements mean there are cheaper and more efficient ways to keep our buildings comfortable and humidity-free throughout the summer. We need to change our habits and look at smarter, more thoughtful ways to control our energy usage”.
The company has introduced Nest learning thermostat that turns itself down when you leave and will figure out exactly what cooling your space needs while you’re away.