Should people leave their air-conditioners (AC) running when they are not home during holidays? Opinions among UAE residents differ: While some advocate turning the AC on, others never feel the need. Khaleej Times spoke to experts to settle the matter.
"The ideal situation to reduce energy consumption while going on a long summer holiday is to switch off the air conditioner (AC)," said Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa). "However, this may result in drawbacks such as fungus formation, bad smells, and damage to paint, furniture, and electrical/electronic equipment due to the increased temperature and humidity inside homes, the utility company added in a statement to Khaleej Times."
To many, being away on holiday might mean saving on utility bills — yet some choose to keep their ACs running even if it means returning to 'gigantic and electricity bills'.
"Rotting and condensation from keeping the AC off for a long time can cause damage to furniture and walls. Hence, we keep ours running when we go on holidays," said Abu Dhabi resident Magalie H.
Shun Khin Shun Lae Tha, a Myanmar expat, said: "In 16 years in the UAE, I've always turned off my AC during holidays; never felt it was necessary. I would be more worried about the extra utility cost, leakage that may occur, and the waste of energy."
"While it might seem cost-effective to switch off your AC during vacation, experts unanimously agree that it's better to keep them running," said Hisham Jaber, founder and head of strategy and business transformation of The Healthy Home.
Magalie, a Lebanese expat, learnt it the hard way. "We went on a vacation and returned home to mould on the walls and ceiling. Luckily, it hadn't spread much, and we were away only for a week."
Imagine if the growth continued for three weeks or longer. There have been instances where residents returned to find their homes covered in mould, forcing them to discard everything, including furniture. Despite hoping to save on utility bills, they ultimately paid a steep price.
Dinesh Ramachandran, technical and SHE manager at Rentokil Boecker, explained how humidity can damage homes. "In summer, when villas and apartments are left without the AC running, humidity can build up, leading to mould growth, damage to upholstered furniture and carpets, and potential health risks for occupants."
Hisham from The Healthy Home agreed, stating: "Running your AC continuously helps maintain optimal humidity levels, especially in humid conditions like Dubai. Extreme heat can damage electronics, artwork, and indoor plants. Consistent airflow also prevents moisture build-up that leads to mould and mildew."
Returning to a cool house, instead of baked walls, is welcoming. However, balancing comfort and energy conservation is crucial, as residents also risk high electricity bills after returning home.
Born and raised in UAE, Indian expat Renuka Bhatia would never keep the AC running during her long summer break. "We never did that, nor did our friends and relatives, and none of us faced any issues. Only when we had a pet in the house we started turning on the air-conditioner."
The 60-year-old said her utility bill had been more or less the same. "Our pet-sitter would regulate it, turning it from fan mode to AC."
Long-time UAE resident Cinderella Mounir leaves the AC on during her vacation in her two-bedroom apartment. "However, the downside is a gigantic, very expensive electricity bill and AC maintenance once I'm back. I come back to Dh1,200-1,500 utility bills. I'm lucky to have a pet-sitter who looks after my cat, ensures the AC works fine, and airs the apartment every other day," said the Egyptian.
Dewa recommends scheduling regular maintenance for cooling systems to ensure they work efficiently. "One way to achieve this is to clean air conditioning filters every two months (monthly in summer) and replace them regularly. This can significantly increase energy consumption efficiency and help maintain comfortable indoor conditions."
Regular cleaning and maintenance of outdoor units can positively impact air conditioning energy usage. Additionally, the correct placement of the outdoor units can enhance the performance of the split systems. For instance, they should be positioned to provide shade and adequate ventilation, steering clear of areas that restrict air flow, like narrow corridors. Do not install multiple outdoor units in close proximity (avoid blowing one unit's exhaust air into another).
Moreover, gaps in windows and doors can leak cold air. This means that the air conditioner will have to work extra hard to maintain the ideal temperature at home. Weatherstripping is an easy and cost-effective way to increase cooling efficiency in your home.
