Electricity Conservation Tips

Due to the high temperatures and 
 ​humidity levels in the Kingdom
of Bahrain, especially in the summer
period ,and the consequent necessity of 
 using air​ conditioners, the annual
 consumption of electrical energy for air
 conditioning represents about 60% of
 the total consumption  of electrical
energy in the Kingdom.

To contribute to reducing this,
 the Electricity and Water Authority,
 in cooperation with the Ministry of
 Industry, Commerce and Tourism,
 has prepared the “Regulation on Energy
Labelling and Minimum Energy
Performance ​​Requirements for Air
 Conditioners", whereby Ministerial
Order No.  70/2015 was issued in
August 2015 by the Ministry of Industry,
Commerce and Tourism for the adoption
of the technical regulations.

This Ministerial Order is implemented
 by the Electricity and Water Authority
and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce
 and Tourism in cooperation with
Customs Affairs. The implementation of
 this order ensures that all household air
conditioners in the local market are of
high efficiency and are classified
according to their energy efficiency
 levels.
 Therefore, the consumer should
make sure that there is an energy
efficiency label on the air
conditioner when purchasing.

The energy label shows the following:

• The number of stars that expresses
the efficiency of energy consumption.
The more stars, the less the air
conditioner consumption of electrical
 energy.

• Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER),
which represents the ratio of the
air conditioner's cooling capacity
 to the electrical energy consumption.

• A/C cooling capacity (Btu/hr.).

• The annual electricity consumption of
 the air conditioner (KWhr.).

• Air conditioner brand and model
 number.

It is also possible to reduce the
consumption of air conditioners by
using them in an optimal way as follows:

• Set the thermostat in the air conditioner at a moderate temperature (24°C).
• Clean the air conditioner filter at least once every two weeks, as a dirty air filter reduces the efficiency of the air conditioner's cooling and increases its consumption of electrical energy.
• Switch off air conditioners in unoccupied rooms.
• Close windows and doors, close the curtains, and reduce the lighting as much as possible while the air conditioner is running.
• Conduct periodic maintenance of conditioners.
• Seal the vents around the air conditioner to prevent air from leaking into and out of the room.
• Do not operate the exhaust fan
   while the air conditioner is running
   to prevent hot air from leaking
   into the room.
• Use drapes, shades, awnings and reflective materials to reduce the heat entering through glass.​
  

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