DOHA: The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) is set to introduce a smart home device aimed at reducing power consumption from household electric appliances, particularly air conditioners, which account for 70% of electricity use during the summer months.
“We are now moving towards smart home energy management systems to control air conditioners,” said Eng. Nasser Al Khuzaei, Head of the Rationalization Technology Section in the Rationalization and Energy Efficiency Department at Kahramaa.
In a recent interview with Qatar TV, Al Khuzaei highlighted that air conditioners consume 70% of household electricity during the summer. “The smart device alerts users, provides consumption rates, and acts as a remote controller, allowing users to turn off air conditioners that are running unnecessarily,” he explained.
These smart home energy management systems automatically perform certain actions to reduce energy costs while adapting to users' specific lifestyle needs. They also enable users to monitor their energy consumption and identify performance issues.
“With urban development, the size of homes has increased from ground floors to include basements, first floors, and penthouses, leading to an increase in the number of air conditioners. This necessitates proper management to rationalize power consumption,” Al Khuzaei added. He noted that Kahramaa has launched several initiatives to reduce power consumption in homes, including awareness campaigns and guidelines for increasing efficiency and best practices.
“The National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency aims to use energy optimally by implementing best practices to reduce waste smartly,” Al Khuzaei stated. Regarding energy-efficient air conditioners, he mentioned a mandatory star rating system (e.g., 7 stars, 9 stars) introduced to encourage the use of green air conditioners, thereby cutting energy consumption and reducing bills.
Al Khuzaei also emphasized the importance of routine maintenance for air conditioners in reducing power consumption. “Proper maintenance and at least filter changes can make air conditioners 15 to 18 percent more energy-efficient,” he said, noting that this small adjustment can significantly impact power consumption and bills.
“Green buildings equipped with modern insulation systems save electricity significantly. While building such facilities is relatively expensive, they offer a return on investment within five years in terms of reduced power consumption and sustainability,” Al Khuzaei remarked.
Kahramaa is implementing a national initiative to reduce electricity and water consumption in the residential sector by five percent. This initiative aims to achieve environmental sustainability in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the UN global Sustainable Development Goals. It also strives to raise community awareness and ensure efficient electricity and water consumption in Qatar.