Those between 45 and 54 were found to be the most likely to use their ACs sustainably
A majority of UAE residents leave their air conditioning on while they are at work in the summer, according to a new survey commissioned by AC solutions provider Taqeef.
According to the research, 62 percent of respondents leave their ACs on during the day, with ACs being left on in empty apartments an average of 11.7 hours a week.
The poll also found that over half – 53 percent – of respondents admitted to leaving their AC on at home during their summer travels, compared to 56 percent who do so when out socialising and 63 percent who do so when out shopping.
The survey, which asked 1,000 respondents across the country about their AC usage habits, found that less than a quarter of those surveyed turn off their AC when they go out, while 20 percent leave it switched on for up to six hours a day.
Another 13 percent said they leave their ACs on between 12 and 24 hours a day.
The most responsible group were found to largely be drawn from ‘Generation Xers’ between the aged of 45 and 54, 70 percent of whom said they never leave their AC on in the summer when they go away for a weekend, when they travel (67 percent), when they go out socialising (62 percent), while at work (61 percent) or while out shopping (56 percent).
Those between 16 and 24, on the other hand, were found to be lacking when it comes to sustainable usage habits. The results indicated that 69 percent of respondents leave their AC on while they go to work in the summer, while 60 percent do so when they travel and 69 percent when they go shopping.
“These findings are significant, highlighting an alarming trend of energy wastage caused by AC misuse,” said Taqeef chairman and CEO Tariq Al Ghussein. “While this is obviously an environmental concern, it also emphasises the need for further education and awareness, particularly following the urgency placed on combatting climate change at the recent Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting.”
Al Ghussein added that “there is a real opportunity for us to make smarter energy choices in the region, both at home and in work – to improve our environmental impact.”