Moving to Dubai? Or just received your first DEWA bill and had a mini heart attack? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! 😅
If you’re wondering what all those charges mean, how much you should expect to pay, and (most importantly) how to keep your bill as low as possible, you’re in the right place.
Let’s break it all down in a simple, no-stress way so you can pay your bill without feeling robbed! 🚀
So, What is DEWA?
First things first—DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) is the official supplier of electricity and water in Dubai. If you’re living here, you can’t choose another provider like you would for mobile networks or the internet.
When you move into a new place, you’ll need to set up a DEWA account before you can switch on the lights and take a shower. The process is simple and can be done online in minutes!
Here’s what you need to register:
✅ Emirates ID (because, obviously!)
✅ Ejari (tenancy contract) – No Ejari, no DEWA. Simple as that!
✅ Security deposit (AED 2,000 for apartments / AED 4,000 for villas) – Refundable when you move out!
Once that’s sorted, congrats—you’ve officially joined the world of DEWA bill payers! 🎉
Understanding Your DEWA Bill – What Are You Paying For? 🤔
When your first bill arrives, you’ll see several different charges. Here’s what they all mean (and how to avoid unnecessary costs!).
1️⃣ Electricity Charges ⚡
This covers your electricity usage, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The more you use, the higher your bill—simple!
💡 Tip: Air conditioning is your biggest energy consumer in Dubai. Setting your AC to 24°C (instead of 18°C!) can cut your bill significantly.
2️⃣ Water Charges 🚰
This is for your water consumption, charged per gallon. Like electricity, Dubai uses a slab pricing system, meaning the more you use, the higher the rate per unit.
💦 Tip: Shorter showers = smaller bills! Every minute counts.
3️⃣ Sewerage Fee 🚽
Basically, this is what you pay for wastewater treatment. It’s a fixed 25% of your water bill—so if you use less water, this charge also goes down!
4️⃣ Housing Fee (Dubai Municipality Fee) 🏠
This one surprises many newcomers! Dubai Municipality charges a 5% fee on your annual rent, but instead of paying it all at once, DEWA splits it into monthly payments.
🔹 Example: If your rent is AED 100,000 per year, the housing fee is AED 5,000 per year, meaning AED 416.67 per month on your bill.
(Yeah…fun, right? 🙃)
5️⃣ Fuel Surcharge ⛽
This fluctuates based on global fuel prices. Basically, if fuel prices go up, so does this charge—so you have zero control over this one. 🤷♂️
6️⃣ VAT (Value Added Tax) 🏦
A 5% VAT is applied to your total bill—because, of course.
How to Pay Your DEWA Bill (Without Hassle!)
Paying your DEWA bill is easy, and there are multiple ways to do it:
💳 DEWA App / Website – Pay instantly with your card
🏦 Bank Payment – Online banking, ATM, or in-branch
🏧 Payment Kiosks – Found in malls and supermarkets
📲 Auto-Payment – Set it up once and forget about it (highly recommended!)
🏬 Supermarkets & Exchange Centers – Carrefour, Al Ansari Exchange, etc.
💡 Pro Tip: Setting up auto-pay means you’ll never miss a payment (or get hit with late fees!).
How to Lower Your DEWA Bill (Without Suffering!)
Want to save money on your DEWA bill but still enjoy life? Here’s how!
✔ Set your AC to 24°C – Every degree lower = higher bill!
✔ Unplug electronics when not in use – Even when turned off, devices still use energy.
✔ Use LED bulbs – They last longer and consume way less power.
✔ Fix water leaks ASAP – A small leak can waste thousands of liters over time!
✔ Wash clothes in cold water – Hot water = higher electricity usage.
✔ Take shorter showers – The less water you use, the lower your bill.
🏆 Bonus Tip: Want to know how much electricity your home is using in real time? Check the DEWA app! It shows your daily usage so you can adjust your habits before your bill arrives.
Don’t Let DEWA Bills Scare You!
At first, DEWA bills can be confusing, but once you understand what you’re paying for, it’s easier to manage your usage and cut down on costs.
If you’ve just moved to Dubai, expect your first bill to be slightly higher due to setup fees and deposits—but after that, it should be more predictable.
Now that you’re a DEWA expert, go ahead and enjoy your air conditioning guilt-free (as long as it’s set to 24°C! 😉).
Got any DEWA-saving tips of your own? Drop them in the comments! Let’s help each other save some dirhams! 💰😆
Dubai 365 days - Life is beautiful~! 
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