How to Optimize Your Home Cooling as ‘Jamrat Al Qayth’ Heatwaves Peak?

Jamrat Al Qayth (“Embers of Summer”) officially began in the UAE July 3 and will continue until August 10. It is considered the hottest part of the year in the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula and temperatures can reach as high as 50°C or even higher in the inland regions.

Jamrat Al Qayth is known for its very dry air during this time, coupled with strong desert winds, Samoom, and lots of sun. With outdoor temperatures still on the rise the need for effective home cooling is more critical than ever not just for comfort, but to lower electricity expenses and indoor air quality.

What Makes Jamrat Al Qayth Extreme Hot?

Jamrat Al Qayth has a strong background in traditional Arab astronomical and weather forecasting. The season starts with the emergence of the Al Jawza (Orion/Gemini) stars in the pre-dawn sky and progresses in a gradual manner with the emergence of Al Han’ah & Al-Mirzam which historically meant a higher intensity of heat.

Metrological aspects are high pressure systems, dryness of desert weather and frequent occurrences of Waghrat Al Qayth resulting in some days at few degrees above the seasonal average. Moisture from the Arabian Gulf also brings up “RealFeel” temperatures to cities along the coast, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Tips to Optimise your Home Cooling during Jamrat Al Qayth

Here are some tips for the people living in UAE to keep their houses cool during Jamrat Al Qayth.

Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Efficiently

Your air conditioner is at its most critical during Jamrat Al Qayth and adequate maintenance is crucial.

Change or wash AC filters every couple of weeks as dirty filters hinder airflow and will make the air conditioner use more electricity. Scheduling a professional servicing before or during the peak periods, in summer, keeps your cooling system running efficiently throughout the season.

While keeping the thermostat at 24°C to 25°C ensures a comfortable temperature inside the house, it also prevents the building from consuming too much energy.

Seal Your Home Against Heat

Tiny air gaps can cause a great deal of reduction in cooling efficiency. Inspect openings at windows, doors and balcony openings for hot outdoor air infiltration. Weather stripping or door seals will keep inner air cold, making the AC unit require less work.

One or two additional proposed ideas involve closing curtains and blacked-out blinds during the hottest time of day, which will keep the rooms in the house from being heated directly by the sun.

Minimize heat sources within the home

Residents often don’t realize such additional heat is generated by many household appliances.

Use the oven, clothes dryers or other cooking equipment not too much in the afternoon, if possible. Better: Cook during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning or early evening.

LED lights also help to reduce the amount of electricity used, as they are much cooler and produce little heat when compared to traditional incandescent lights.

Improve Air Circulation

But while a breeze alone can have a cooling effect on a room, it is also an effective way to keep the room cooler without having to turn down the heat setting on the thermostat.

Install ceiling fans to help circulate air in a room to help chill it evenly in addition to the air conditioner. In summer, ceiling fans should move counter-clockwise to draw cooler air downwards.

Fully opened interior doors create greater airflow both between rooms and throughout the house.

Stay Hydrated Indoors

When it’s extremely hot, the body reacts even in the comfort of its own home. Take water as often as you need it during the day and have plenty of drinking water to consume if outdoors. Indoor plants may also provide a fresher air, but do not allow excessive water at hot times. Proper hydration aids regulation of body temperature.

Use Smart Cooling Habits

Modern technological innovations can help reduce electricity and temperature costs.

Use an AC controller that is programmable or a “smart” controller to control cooling when it is needed. Cool down when you are away and restore the convenient temperature when you come home.

Many intelligent systems also give energy consumption reports which assist households in recognising how they can utilize energy savings and hence energy efficiency in reducing their monthly utility bills.

Prepare for Samoom Winds

Hot, dusty Samoom winds often occur in the region and lower air quality. If dusty, keep windows closed, and use good quality filters or portable air purifiers. It is all the more crucial to clean AC filters regularly, as dust may build up quickly, clogging as necessities during this season.

Improving the quality of indoor air can positively affect anyone, but especially those who are vulnerable, such as children, older adults, and people with respiratory diseases.

FAQs

What is Jamrat Al Qayth?

The hottest 40 days of UAE’s summer are July 3 – 10, known as “Jamrat Al Qayth”. It is generally linked with extreme temperatures, desert winds and direct sunlight.

What is the most favorable temperature of air under AC in Jamrat Al Qayth?

Most people agree that it’s best to keep the temperature at 24°C – 25°C. This will give comfortable cooling and save electricity usage.

What time is the end of Jamrat Al Qayth?

This season will be officially concluded on August 10 after which the UAE will enter the Al-Wa’kah season on August 11, with heavier humidity and more hot conditions along the coast.

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