The short answer: 24°C, or higher
DEWA's long-running summer campaign asks Dubai residents to keep their thermostats at 24°C or above. Its guidance is simple: each degree you raise the set point can save up to 5% on air conditioning consumption. Cooling is usually the biggest electricity load in a Dubai home in summer, so the number on the remote is one of the few things that changes your DEWA bill straight away.
Setting the AC to 18 or 20°C does not cool a room faster. A split or ducted unit delivers cold air at much the same rate whatever the set point; a low number only makes it keep running for longer once the room has reached a comfortable temperature, and it often leaves rooms over-cooled and damp. If a room never reaches 24°C, the problem is usually the unit or the room, not the setting (see below).
Recommended settings at a glance
| Situation | Suggested setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime, someone at home | 24 to 25°C, Cool or Auto mode | DEWA's recommended range; each degree up saves up to 5% of AC use. |
| Arriving to a hot room | 24°C with fan on high, then low or auto after 15 to 20 minutes | A high fan moves heat out quickly; a lower speed then removes more humidity and is quieter. |
| Night | 24 to 25°C, or Sleep mode | Sleep mode raises the set point gradually during the night, which many people find more comfortable. |
| Out for a few hours | About 27°C | Saves energy without letting heat and humidity build up in the walls and furniture. |
| Away for days or weeks | One unit at about 26 to 27°C, others off; doors and curtains closed | Keeps humidity in check so you do not return to a musty home. |
| Rooms not in use | Off, with the door closed | DEWA advises not leaving AC running in empty rooms. |
The night, away and fan-speed suggestions follow Daikin's guidance for UAE summers; the 24°C setting, filter cleaning and empty-room advice come from DEWA. Check your own unit's manual for mode names, which differ between brands.
Which mode to use
- Cool. The main summer mode. It removes heat and, as a side effect, humidity.
- Auto. The unit chooses between cooling and fan to hold the set temperature, and the compressor cycles off once the room reaches it. DEWA's conservation tips recommend automatic operation for this reason.
- Dry. Useful on humid but not very hot days, which are common near the coast in spring and autumn. It runs the unit gently to remove moisture rather than cool hard. It is not a replacement for Cool on a 45°C afternoon.
- Fan. Circulates air without cooling. Handy once a room is already cool, or in the milder winter months.
- Eco or energy-saving. Limits the compressor's power. Fine in the evening, overnight and in winter, but it may struggle in peak afternoon heat.
Not sure what the symbols on your remote mean? Our AC not cooling guide explains the common ones, including the snowflake, water drop and fan icons.
Small habits that let you set it higher
The aim is to feel comfortable at 24 to 25°C rather than chasing a lower number. These cost little or nothing:
- Run a ceiling or standing fan. Moving air makes a room feel cooler, so you can set the thermostat higher. DEWA notes that a fan uses about as much power as a light bulb; switch it off when you leave the room.
- Close curtains and blinds on sun-facing windows during the day. Glass lets in a great deal of heat in a Dubai summer.
- Keep doors and windows shut while the AC runs, and close the doors of rooms you are not using.
- Seal gaps. DEWA recommends weather-stripping and sealing doors and windows that leak air. Worn seals on terrace and balcony doors are a common culprit in villas.
- Point the louvres horizontally or slightly upwards rather than straight at people. Cold air sinks, so this spreads it more evenly.
- Use timers or a smart thermostat to raise the set point when everyone leaves and lower it shortly before you return. Our smart home guide covers app-controlled AC for villas.
If 24°C is never comfortable
If a room cannot reach or hold 24°C on a summer afternoon, turning the setting down will not fix it. The usual causes are:
- Dirty filters. DEWA advises cleaning them at least once a month in summer; clogged filters cut airflow and efficiency. Daikin cites DEWA's figure that dirty filters can raise consumption by up to 20%.
- Dirty coils or a dusty outdoor unit, which are common after the dusty months and sandstorms.
- Low refrigerant from a leak: air is cool but not cold, and you may see ice on the pipes. See AC gas refill and leaks.
- A unit that is too small for the room, or one that is old. DEWA suggests replacing air conditioners more than about ten years old with efficient units rated 4 or 5 stars under the UAE's energy label, which it says can cut cooling consumption by up to 25%.
Our AC not cooling guide walks through the quick checks you can do yourself before calling anyone.
Servicing: the setting that is not on the remote
A unit with clean filters, clean coils, a clear drain line and the correct refrigerant charge reaches 24°C faster and then runs less to hold it. That is why a service before the summer peak usually pays for itself in comfort and power. See when to service your AC and what a full service includes, and plan it for March or April.
Apartments on district cooling
Many Dubai apartments and some villa communities use district cooling, where chilled water from a central plant runs through a fan coil unit in each home. The same thermostat advice applies: 24°C or higher, fan on auto, doors and curtains closed. Your cooling is usually billed by the district cooling provider rather than DEWA, and part of the charge depends on how much cooling you use, so a higher set point still helps. Keeping the fan coil's filter and drain clean is normally the home's own maintenance.
JServices services and repairs split, ducted, VRF and chilled-water fan coil units in villas and apartments across Dubai, and can set up app control and schedules on compatible systems. Message us on WhatsApp for a visit, often the same day. See our AC repair and maintenance service, or include AC servicing in an annual care plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AC temperature in Dubai?
24°C or higher. DEWA, Dubai's electricity and water authority, recommends keeping the thermostat at 24°C or above in summer, and says each degree higher can save up to 5% of the air conditioner's consumption. Most people are comfortable at 24 to 25°C with a ceiling fan running.
Does setting the AC to 18°C cool the room faster?
No. A split or ducted air conditioner delivers cold air at much the same rate whatever the set point. A low setting only makes it run longer after the room is comfortable, which uses more electricity and can leave the room cold and damp.
Should I turn the AC off when I leave home in Dubai?
For a few hours, raising the set point to about 27°C is usually better than switching off, because heat and humidity build up quickly in a closed Dubai home. For trips of several days, leave one unit at about 26 to 27°C to control humidity and switch the others off, and always switch off AC in rooms nobody is using.
Which AC mode saves the most electricity?
Cool or Auto at 24°C or higher. In Auto the compressor cycles off once the room reaches the set temperature, which DEWA recommends. Dry mode suits humid but mild days, and Eco limits power in the evening and overnight but may struggle in peak afternoon heat.
Why can my AC not reach 24°C?
The usual causes are clogged filters, dirty coils or a dusty outdoor unit, low refrigerant from a leak, or a unit that is too small or too old for the room. Clean the filters first; if the room still cannot hold 24°C on a summer afternoon, have a technician check the unit.
How often should I clean AC filters in Dubai?
At least once a month in summer, as DEWA advises, and more often after dust storms. A full service of every unit, including coils, drain line and refrigerant check, is best done once a year before the summer peak.
Need help?
If your AC cannot hold 24°C, send us a message on WhatsApp and receive a fixed price and a time slot, often the same day. Serving Emirates Hills, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Hills Estate and most of Dubai.
WhatsApp +971 56 198 7703info@jservices.llcRelated guides
اقرأ هذا الدليل بالعربية: أفضل درجة حرارة للمكيف في دبي
Sources: DEWA, Set your AC to 24°C; DEWA, Conservation tips booklet; Daikin Middle East and Africa, The best AC settings for summer in the UAE.
Published 2026-11-12. Written by the JServices team. General guidance only; savings figures are DEWA's and vary by home and unit. Have electrical and refrigerant work carried out by qualified technicians.