HousingInfo

Uh-Oh, the PLUGS are different!
OK, this will be "What's different from the US", for the moment, as that's what Terry (King) knows... Hopefully others will lend their perspective...

At KAUST, the "Euro Standard" sockets and plugs are used. They look like this: The "safety ground" connection is the two metal strips at top and bottom of the plug. Most plugs we see are made to fit BOTH the sockets here, and another standard used in France, Tunisia etc. They look like this:

Many low-power, ungrounded devices such as table lamps, small appliances etc, use a two-prong plug that looks like this: AND, there are many small appliances, especially the "wall wart" type power supplies for various chargers, that have the "USA Standard" "Type A" plugs that look like this: SO: How can we plug the "USA Type" plugs in??? You will need a physical Adapter. There are individual units that plug into a single socket, like the one on the left, here: (The adapter on the right is for "Great Britain" type plugs (see below)..)



and there are multiple outlet strips that can take almost any plug, like this:

AND there is one more plug variation we need to deal with: The huge 3-prong "Great Britain" plug that is often seen on high-power appliances such as tea pots, microwave ovens, etc. It looks like this: It can be plugged into the multiple outlets strips and adapters.

OK, almost there! Being able to PHYSICALLY plug something in does not mean the VOLTAGE is right!

The local KAUST system is 220 volts 60 cycles. Most devices you get in Saudi Arabia are 220V. However much of the older areas near Jeddah also have 125 volts in houses and apartments, and you will find some 120V lamps etc. for sale.

Incandescent light holders are mostly Edison screw base (i.e. same as USA). Local 220V bulbs fit these sockets, so typical 'simple' lamps (without dimmers or touch-switches) will work here with a new bulb. Be careful buying bulbs: Many 125V bulbs are for sale right alongside the 220V bulbs! A 125V bulb in a 220V socket will be VERY bright for a VERY short time!

North American appliances (120 volts) will need converters (transformers) to accommodate 220 volts. They are available at larger hardware stores like "SACO". However, many recent units are made to be used worldwide, and are labelled "100 - 250Volts" or the like. These can be simply plugged in to any 120 or 220 volt systems and work fine. (Read the fine print on them).. Computers often have a small switch on the back, on their power supply, that can be set for 120 or 220 volts: Get it right! Many newer monitors and printers are "worldwide" and work on any voltage. (Again, the fine print..)

Just in case you haven't had enough, click here [|For MORE information on power and plugs, WorldWide:] (A WikiPedia entry)

Frequent travelers from 120 volt countries should consider investing in dual-voltage appliances for curling irons, curlers, traveling irons, hair dryers, etc.

Incandescent light holders are mostly Edison screw (i.e. same as USA). Local 220V bulbs fit these sockets, so typical 'simple' lamps (without dimmers or touch-switches) will work here with a new bulb. Be careful buying bulbs: Many 125V bulbs are for sale right alongside the 220V bulbs! A 125V bulb in a 220V socket will be VERY bright for a VERY short time!

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Air Conditioning Units:
The air conditioning units in KAUST housing are made by Zamil ([]). These units have controls with many features. They look like this:

Unfortunately, no one knows how to use them or set them. Requests from KAUST housing has not found a manual or anyone who knows how to set "Time/ day of week" etc. And what does "Sleep" do?? ZAMIL website doesn't work. No answer from their email address.. Anyone figured this out???

Cable TV and Internet:
At KAUST, Telephone, Internet and TV service are all connected through the Data cable system. High-speed fibre-optic cables go to each home, and a distribution system called a "SWITCH" has multiple outlets for computers and TV boxes. The system uses the TCP/IP protocol to handle these different services. ((MORE DETAIL NEEDED))

What about the Water??
The local water supply is all from a huge desalinization plant, so we are drinking the Red Sea :-) The water is of very good quality, both biologically safe to drink, and chemically low in dissolved solids or impurities. You will have noticed that the water is "soft" when you take a shower. If you're sensitive, A filter ("PUR" or other brands) attached to the kitchen faucet gives even better tasting water for coffee/tea, cooking etc. with no chlorine smell at all.

NOTE: Most of the dishwasher machines delivered to KAUST have a built-in "water-softener". You can tell by (A) Reading the manual or (B) noting the "ADD SALT" light. You do NOT need to use the water softener, no matter how much dishwasher salt you may see on the supermarket shelves..

Washing Clothes:
Most or all? washers use cold water and do not heat it. Local detergents work pretty well, and a small amount is needed. Many units have electric clothes dryers, which use a lot of electrical energy. Drying racks or clotheslines work amazingly well in this climate!

Heat and Hot Water:
Units have an electrically-powered water heater..