DEWA Bill Estimator
Estimate your monthly Dubai electricity and water bill from your usage. Slab-based tariffs, fuel surcharge, sewerage included.
How to use
- 1
Look at your most recent DEWA bill. There are two key numbers: kWh (electricity) and IG (Imperial Gallons of water). They're printed near the top.
- 2
Enter the kWh figure for the month you want to estimate. If you don't have a recent bill, type 1,500 for a small flat, 3,000 for a 2-bed apartment, 5,000 for a small villa, 10,000+ for a large villa with garden.
- 3
Enter the IG of water for the same month. A typical 2-person household uses 5,000–7,000 IG. A 4-person family uses 10,000–14,000.
- 4
Leave the fuel surcharge at 0.06 AED/kWh unless your most recent bill shows a different figure. The surcharge moves up and down a few fils each month with oil prices.
- 5
The result shows your estimated total, broken down by electricity slabs (so you can see how much you're paying at each tier) and water charges including sewerage.
- 6
Useful comparison: if your estimate is far from your actual bill, the likely difference is either the fuel surcharge (rare months it spikes) or DEWA's separate housing fee (which is 5% of your annual rent ÷ 12).
Frequently asked questions
DEWA uses a slab system. The first 2,000 kWh you use each month is charged at AED 0.230 per kWh. The next 2,000 (2,001–4,000) is charged at AED 0.280. Above 4,000 it rises to 0.320, and above 6,000 it tops out at AED 0.380. On top of the base rate, every kWh attracts a fuel surcharge that varies monthly.
The fuel surcharge passes through changes in oil and gas costs that DEWA pays to generate electricity. It's recalculated monthly. In 2025–2026, it has typically ranged between AED 0.04 and AED 0.08 per kWh. The exact figure for any month is printed on that month's bill as 'Fuel Surcharge' or 'Surcharge'.
Three common reasons. First, your bill includes the Housing Fee — 5% of your annual rent divided by 12, which DEWA collects on behalf of Dubai Municipality. This calculator doesn't include that because it depends on your rent, not your consumption. Second, fuel surcharge for the billed month may differ from the default. Third, your actual consumption may be higher than estimated — if you've been away, AC use changes consumption sharply.
DEWA bills water in Imperial Gallons (IG), not litres. One Imperial Gallon equals 4.546 litres. A 6,000 IG monthly consumption is about 27,000 litres, or roughly 900 litres per day — which is normal for a 2-person home with daily showers, laundry, and some cooking.
Sewerage covers wastewater treatment. DEWA collects it on behalf of Dubai Municipality, charged at AED 0.035 per IG of water you use. So if you use 10,000 IG of water, sewerage adds AED 350 to your bill.
Yes. UAE nationals living in their own residential property pay a lower-band tariff and receive subsidies. This calculator uses the non-UAE residential rates that apply to most expat tenants.
AC accounts for 60–70% of electricity use in most Dubai homes. Setting the thermostat to 24°C instead of 21°C cuts AC cost by roughly 20%. Other quick wins: switch to LED bulbs (75% less energy than incandescent), use a top-loading washing machine on cold cycle, replace the AC filter every 3 months, and seal door gaps. DEWA also offers a free home energy audit on request.
Residential DEWA bills are zero-rated for VAT in the UAE. Commercial customers pay 5% VAT on top of their bill. The estimate above is for residential consumption.
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Source: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) · Last verified 2026-06. Verify on DEWA (dewa.gov.ae). This tool provides estimates only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Always verify your specific situation with the relevant UAE authority or a licensed advisor before taking action.