DEWA's January 2026 tariff revision compresses the residential slab structure and pushes mid-band consumers into a slightly higher cost-per-kWh. We unpack what that means if you also hold an AMC.
What changed
The residential 4-tier band now starts at 2,001 kWh / month instead of 4,001. Higher-end villas — particularly those running pools and outdoor AC — sit firmly in tier 4 from May onward.
Why a clean AC saves more in 2026
A dirty condenser typically draws 8–12% extra current. In 2025 that was a tiny amount. In 2026, on the new tariff, that same 8% can be the difference between staying in tier 3 vs. spilling into tier 4 — which is where our AMC math really starts to dominate.
M
Maya Halabi
Published 8 April 2026