How to Estimate Your DEWA Bill in Dubai

Understand the Key Factors Behind Your Electricity and Water Costs

Know Before You Move

Thinking about buying properties in Dubai? Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, investor, or future resident, it’s essential to factor in your monthly utility expenses. One of the key costs to consider is your DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) bill. From electricity and water consumption to housing fees and cooling charges, understanding how your DEWA bill is calculated helps you budget smartly and avoid surprises.

At Homesphere Real Estate, a top real estate agency in Dubai, we guide clients not only through property purchases but also through every detail of ownership—including utility planning. This blog breaks down how your DEWA bill works and how you can estimate it accurately.

What Is Included in Your DEWA Bill?

DEWA bills cover more than just your basic electricity and water usage. Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically included:

• Account Activation & Security Deposit – When setting up your DEWA account, you must pay a one-time, refundable security deposit:

• AED 2,000 for apartments
• AED 4,000 for villas
  
  This is a standard requirement for both tenants and owners. It is paid once at the start of service, refunded upon final bill clearance and account closure. However, if you move to a new property, you will be required to pay a new security deposit to activate DEWA service at the new location, even if you had a DEWA account previously.

• Electricity Consumption – Charged per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
• Water Consumption – Measured in cubic meters (m³)
• Sewerage Fee – Based on your water usage.
• Housing Fee – Equivalent to 5% of your annual rent (for tenants) or the rental value (for owners). This is the heaviest cost on your DEWA bill. Higher rents translate to a higher fixed housing fee on your monthly bill.
• Cooling Charges (if applicable) – Chiller or district cooling fees may be included or billed separately depending on your building.
• 5% VAT – A 5% value-added tax is applied to the total bill, as per UAE taxation regulations.

Note: Some developments in Dubai include separate district cooling providers (like Empower), which charge you directly and are not included in your DEWA bill.

How Rates Are Calculated (DEWA Tariffs)

According to DEWA’s official rate chart (2024):

Electricity

• AED 0.23/kWh (up to 2,000 kWh)
• AED 0.28/kWh (2,001–4,000 kWh)
• AED 0.32/kWh (above 4,000 kWh)

Water

• AED 3.00/m³ for the first 5,000
• AED 3.50/m³ (5,001–10,000)
• AED 4.00/m³ (above 10,000)

Sewerage

• Calculated as a percentage of your water consumption (typically 30–50%)

Sample Bill Estimate (1-Bedroom Apartment)

Let’s consider a realistic lifestyle scenario: You live in a 1-bedroom apartment in a modern community. Your annual rent is AED 80,000/year. You work from 9 AM to 6 PM, five days a week in an office, but leave the AC running 24/7. You take 30-minute showers daily, do laundry 3 times a week for 1 hour each, and spend more time at home on weekends.

• Electricity: 1,600–1,800 kWh × AED 0.23 = AED 368–414
• Water: 5.5–6.5 m³ × AED 3 = AED 16.50–19.50
• Sewerage (40% of water): AED 6.60–7.80
• Housing Fee (5% of AED 80,000): AED 333/month

Subtotal: AED 724–774/month

• + 5% VAT: AED 36–39

Estimated DEWA Bill: AED 760–813/month (excluding cooling)

Making Water Consumption More Tangible

To better understand 6.5 cubic meters of water:

• 1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters, so 6.5 m³ = 6,500 liters
• On a daily basis, this equals approximately 216 liters of water use for a 30-day month

In a typical 1-bedroom apartment, this level of water usage is realistic for a single occupant with moderate habits such as daily showers, laundry a few times a week, and regular cleaning and cooking.

Looking for luxury properties for sale with efficient energy features? Contact Homesphere Real Estate to explore high-performance homes in Dubai.

Neighborhood Factors That Influence Your DEWA Bill

Although DEWA applies standard tariffs citywide, your location can indirectly affect your bill. Here’s how:

1. Building Efficiency and Age

Older buildings may have outdated cooling systems and poor insulation, resulting in higher energy use. In contrast, new developments often include energy-efficient features that keep costs lower.

2. Amenities and Common Areas

Living in a community with pools, gyms, fountains, and large lobbies means higher service and cooling charges. These are sometimes billed with or alongside DEWA.

3. Cooling System Type

Some areas (e.g., Business Bay or JLT) use district cooling, which may be billed separately. Others use split ACs, which increase your electricity consumption shown on DEWA.

4. Home Size and Lifestyle Trends by Area

Upscale neighborhoods like Dubai Hills or Palm Jumeirah have larger homes, which naturally consume more water and electricity.

Estimating Cooling Charges

If your building uses district cooling, you’ll likely receive a separate monthly bill. On average:

• Studio: AED 400–600/month
• 1BR: AED 500–800/month
• 2BR+: AED 800–1,200/month

These charges are based on the tonnage of your AC system and vary by provider. (Source: Empower, Tabreed district cooling providers in the UAE)

Tools to Estimate Your DEWA Bill

DEWA offers an online Tariff Calculator that helps residents estimate their electricity and water charges. To use it:

• Visit: DEWA Tariff Calculator
• Select Account Type (e.g., Residential)
• Enter your monthly Electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh)
• Enter your Water consumption in cubic meters (m³)

Once submitted, the calculator provides an estimate based on DEWA’s current tariff rates.

You can also reference real estate platforms like Bayut and Property Finder to compare average DEWA costs reported by current residents in specific communities.

Plan Your Property Budget Wisely

Understanding your DEWA bill is a key part of evaluating your monthly property expenses. From electricity and water usage to housing fees and cooling charges, knowing what to expect helps you plan smarter—especially when buying properties in Dubai.

At Homesphere Real Estate, a leading real estate agency in Dubai, we help clients make informed decisions not just about where to buy, but what it will truly cost to live there.

Ready to explore your options? Contact Homesphere Real Estate today to learn more about luxury properties for sale and communities with optimized utility costs.