Chiller-free vs district cooling in Dubai: The ultimate comparison
We all know how expensive air conditioning bills can be during the summer in Dubai. To combat the impending high A/C costs, tenants and homeowners can choose between chiller-free and district cooling in Dubai.
If you are currently confused between these different cooling systems in Dubai and are unsure how to proceed, you’ve come to the right place. This article explains the difference between chiller-free and district cooling in Dubai and the best-suited solutions to reduce the increasing air conditioning bills.
Let’s begin with an overview of the different cooling systems in Dubai.
DISTRICT COOLING IN DUBAI
District cooling (DC) in Dubai was introduced in 1999 to provide a climate-friendly and cost-effective temperature control system for all residential and commercial properties in the city.
Emicool and Empower in Dubai and Tabreed in Abu Dhabi are the UAE’s major district cooling service providers. Apart from these, Emaar, one of Dubai’s top real estate developers, has dedicated district cooling plants for its communities.
Residential neighbourhoods in Dubai with Empower’s district cooling systems include Ghoroob Mirdif, Al Khail Gate, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) and Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). Areas in Dubai with Emicool’s district cooling services include Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Jumeirah Bay and Dubai Sports City.
Read our blog on residential areas with district cooling in Dubai to learn everything you need to know.
HOW DOES DISTRICT COOLING SYSTEM IN DUBAI WORK?
District cooling systems in Dubai reduce the amount of electricity air-conditioning units use to cool a space. Instead of supplying electricity to individual air-conditioning units, chilled water is pumped from a central plant nearby into the building or villa complex via an underground insulated pipeline.
This chilled water economically lowers the temperature of the air passing through the air conditioning system. Through this method, DC claims to reduce power consumption by 50%, making it more environment-friendly and cost-effective for tenants and homeowners.
WHAT ARE DISTRICT COOLING CHARGES IN DUBAI?
Owners, tenants and companies can all apply for district cooling for their home, office or retail space if available in the area. According to Empower’s website, the ‘Consumption Charge’ and ‘Demand Charge’ are two main aspects of the total district cooling cost in Dubai.
The Consumption Charge is levied based on district cooling usage recorded by the unit’s meter, at the premise. As for the Demand Charge, this is charged to the tenant/owner/company for providing District Cooling Service to the apartment/unit.
- Consumption Charges: 0.568 fils per Refrigeration Ton (RT)
- Demand Charges: AED 750 per month/RT.
- Additional Charges: Maintenance costs are AED 30 per month or AED 50 per quarter. Disconnection fees are AED 1,000 for residential and AED 2,000 for commercial units.
Here’s an example from Empower’s website regarding district cooling charges in Dubai. This approximate figure can vary depending on the usage besides other factors.
- Yearly Demand Charge: 6 RT (The RT load of the A/C of your unit) * 750 = AED 4,500 per Year.
- Monthly Demand Charge for the month of January: 4500/365*31 = AED 387.50
CHILLER-FREE IN DUBAI
The concept of chiller-free in Dubai is quite different from district cooling. But what does chiller-free mean in Dubai?
Unlike district cooling, where the tenant pays for the cooling charges, the landlord bears the complete cost of air conditioning for chiller-free units. Tenants of chiller-free flats in Dubai only have to pay for electricity consumption within the unit, excluding air-conditioning.
HOW DOES CHILLER FREE IN DUBAI WORK?
The cost of an air conditioner depends on usage, which is recorded by a meter, which is usually on the premises. With a chiller-free system, a separate chiller system is installed on the roof and connected to the building’s main electricity meter. With this mechanism, the charges for the cooling go directly to the landlord and do not reflect on your DEWA bill.
WHAT IS THE COST OF CHILLER FREE IN DUBAI?
Chiller-free is an added perk that landlords provide tenants when renting villas or apartments in Dubai, and there is no specific cost associated with it.
However, it’s important to remember that although the cooling charges will not apply, your monthly electricity and water consumption will vary depending on the size of the unit and usage.
CHILLER-FREE VS DISTRICT COOLING SYSTEMS IN DUBAI: WHICH IS BETTER?
Both chiller-free and district cooling offer unique advantages for residents.
District cooling is more environmentally friendly with reduced energy consumption, but the individual cost can be a challenge for residents trying to save money.
The main distinction between district cooling and chiller-free is the option available to tenants. Chiller-free properties mean that you, as a tenant, do not have to pay for air conditioning usage. If you are renting in an area with district cooling, you can still enjoy the benefit of chiller-free properties because this is a decision made by the landlord.
With chiller-free properties in Dubai, the landlord foots the bill for the cooling (whether district cooling or traditional cooling), making it a cheaper alternative. Tenants can capitalise on these chiller-free offers, reduce their overall family living cost in Dubai and accumulate some savings.
Ultimately, in the debate between chiller-free or district cooling in Dubai, it all comes down to the individual’s objective. If the aim is to save as a tenant, chiller-free will likely be an economical option.
FAQS
What companies provide district cooling in Dubai?
There are two district cooling service providers in Dubai: Empower and Emicool. Aside from these two, EMAAR, a prominent real estate developer in the UAE, also offers district cooling services to its communities.
What is the difference between district cooling and chiller?
The main difference between chiller-free vs district cooling in Dubai price is that tenants are required to pay for district cooling. On the other hand, chiller-free indicates that the landlord has to bear the air-conditioning costs instead of the tenant. In a chiller-free apartment, tenants only pay for the electricity consumed within the unit, excluding air-conditioning.
That’s all we have regarding comparing chiller-free and district cooling in Dubai. We hope you found this article informative and helpful in your upcoming search for a home.
Now that you’re all caught up with the technical jargon of all the cooling systems in the city, it’s time to find a home that suits your needs.
If your preferred choice is chiller-free, here’s a look at the top areas with chiller-free apartments in Dubai. As for those who prefer district cooling, the Palm Jumeirah community offers a stunning range of villas with this option.
Do you have experience with using district cooling or chiller-free? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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