What’s a normal DEWA bill for a 1-bedroom in Dubai?

A broad range is ~AED 250–650+ for electricity and water depending on season and A/C habits. Add the Housing Fee (5% of annual rent divided by 12) and internet to get a full monthly total. For a personalised estimate, use the DEWA Tariff Calculator.

Do all apartments in Dubai use district cooling?

No. Many towers use district cooling, while others use split or central A/C via DEWA. Check your tenancy or building handbook; district cooling adds a fixed capacity charge and a variable consumption charge billed by the provider.

Did DEWA switch water units to cubic metres (m³)?

Yes. Starting from the March 2025 billing cycle, DEWA measures and bills water in cubic metres (m³) instead of imperial gallons.

What is the Dubai Municipality Housing Fee?

It’s 5% of your annual rent, billed monthly via your DEWA bill. UAE nationals are exempt.

How are sewerage fees calculated in 2025?

Dubai introduced a phased increase starting in 2025 at 1.5 fils per gallon, with further rises scheduled. The charge is based on your water consumption and is collected via DEWA.

Which internet provider is cheaper in Dubai: e& or du?

It depends on coverage and promotions. As of 2025, e& Neo lists 1 Gbps at AED 399/month, while du Home Wireless plans start from AED 229/month. Compare speed, contract terms, installation fees and any exit charges.

Dubai Utilities Cost 2025

Dubai Utilities Cost (2025): DEWA, Sewerage & Internet

Full 2025 guide to Dubai utilities—DEWA slabs, sewerage, housing fee, district cooling, and e&/du internet. With real examples & tips.

Solid Cars

Sep 4, 2025 • 4 min read

At a glance: For most renters, DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) electricity and water typically range ~AED 175–650+ per month depending on home size and A/C habits. Add the Dubai Municipality Housing Fee (5% of annual rent ÷ 12) and home internet from Etisalat (e&) or du, which costs AED 229–399/month. If your building uses district cooling, expect a fixed “capacity” fee plus a usage-based charge—especially noticeable in summer.

Why utilities deserve a line in your Dubai budget

Dubai’s comfort comes with line-items: DEWA, housing fee, potential district cooling, and home internet. Build a realistic monthly picture before you sign a lease—and use live tools like the DEWA Tariff Calculator to estimate your exact consumption. For a broader snapshot, check our full Dubai cost of living guide.

Understanding your DEWA bill (electricity + water)

What appears on the bill:

Electricity charged on slab tariffs that rise with usage, plus a monthly fuel surcharge; 5% VAT applies.
Water billed on slabs and—since March 2025—measured in cubic metres (m³), with an added fuel surcharge and 5% VAT.
Sewerage fee, introduced by Dubai Municipality, charged per m³ of water.
Housing Fee: 5% of annual rent, billed monthly via DEWA (UAE nationals are exempt).

Example of a DEWA utility bill in Dubai 2025 showing electricity, water, housing fee, and sewerage charges

Key 2025 reference points

Fuel surcharge (Sept 2025): AED 0.060/kWh (electricity), AED 1.10/m³ (water).
Residential water slabs: 0–27 m³ = AED 7.70/m³; 27–54 m³ = AED 8.80/m³; 54+ m³ = AED 10.12/m³.

💡 Pro tip: Use the DEWA Tariff Calculator to see how adjusting your A/C or water use changes your bill.

Sewerage fees: the 2025–2027 roadmap

From January 2025, Dubai began phasing in higher sewerage charges: 1.5 fils per gallon in 2025, 2 fils in 2026, and 2.8 fils in 2027. That equals ≈AED 0.33/m³ in 2025.

One-time move-in costs with DEWA

When you move in, expect a refundable DEWA deposit (AED 2,000 for apartments / AED 4,000 for villas) and activation fees of about AED 130.

District cooling (Empower/Tabreed): do you have it?

Many towers rely on district cooling instead of individual A/C units. Bills include:

a fixed “capacity” fee (often AED 125+/month for a 1-bed allocation), and
a variable “consumption” charge (priced per Refrigeration-Ton-hour).

Night view of Dubai apartment towers with modern district cooling systems and illuminated skyline

Your exact costs depend on your building’s allocation and provider.

Home internet in Dubai (Etisalat and du)

Dubai’s two main providers are Etisalat (e&) and du.

Etisalat e& and du internet providers logos representing home internet services in Dubai 2025

e& “Neo” fibre plan: 1 Gbps for AED 399/month, with TV and bundle options.
du Home Wireless: starts at AED 229/month, useful where fibre isn’t available.

For short-term visitors, consider an eSIM or hotspot.

Realistic monthly examples (2025)

Using DEWA’s calculator:

Home type	Elec (kWh)	Water (m³)	DEWA subtotal (elec + water + fuel + sewer + VAT)
Studio (1 person)	350	7	~AED 174
1-bed (2 people)	700	12	~AED 328
2-bed (family)	1,500	20	~AED 648

Add Housing Fee example: If rent is AED 65,000, the Housing Fee adds AED 270.83/month. So a 1-bed total = ~AED 599 before internet.

Add Internet: With Etisalat or du, expect ~AED 828–998 total.

What drives your bill up (or down)?

A/C usage (thermostat habits are the #1 factor).
Apartment size and residents.
District cooling allocations and consumption.
Fuel surcharges (DEWA updates monthly).
Internet package choice (speed and provider).

Money-saving tips that actually work

Use the DEWA Tariff Calculator to test how small changes lower costs.
Keep A/C at 24 °C, seal doors/windows, and use fans.
Right-size your internet: 300–500 Mbps suits most households; go 1 Gbps if you upload large files or game.
Check district cooling allocations with your building—errors can inflate your bill.

FAQs

What’s a normal DEWA bill for a 1-bedroom?
Usually AED 250–650+, depending on season and A/C use. Add the Housing Fee and internet to see the full monthly cost.

Do all apartments use district cooling?
No. Some rely on district cooling, while others use A/C via DEWA.

Did DEWA switch water to cubic metres?
Yes—since March 2025.

What is the Housing Fee?
It’s 5% of annual rent, billed monthly through DEWA (UAE nationals exempt).

How are sewerage fees calculated?
Since 2025, Dubai applies a phased sewerage fee starting at 1.5 fils per gallon.

Which internet is cheaper—e& or du?
Etisalat’s Neo plan is AED 399 for 1 Gbps, while du Home Wireless starts from AED 229. It depends on coverage and promos.