Electricity Bills Soar in the Heat: How to Use Power Wisely?

As the summer heat intensifies across Vietnam, households in Khánh Hòa province are facing a sharp, and often unwelcome, rise in their electricity bills. The provincial power company, Điện lực Khánh Hòa, reports that electricity consumption has surged by 20-40%, with some households seeing increases exceeding 50% compared to previous months. This surge is primarily driven by the increased reliance on air conditioning and other cooling appliances during the hot season.

While the electricity tariff itself remains constant throughout the year, the progressive, tiered pricing structure is the main culprit behind the dramatic cost increases. As consumption climbs, users are pushed into higher price brackets, where the cost per kilowatt-hour is significantly more expensive. For instance, a jump in monthly consumption from around 250 kWh to 350 kWh can more than double the electricity bill, from approximately 500,000 VND to over 800,000 VND, depending on the total usage.

Nguyễn Thị Lan, a resident of Phan Rang ward, shared her experience: "In March, my family used about 280 kWh, but in April it jumped to nearly 400 kWh, and the electricity bill increased noticeably." She realized this was due to increased air conditioner and fan usage during the hot weather, pushing her consumption into higher, more expensive tiers.

To combat this, Điện lực Khánh Hòa is actively promoting energy conservation. Simple adjustments, like setting air conditioners to 26-28°C instead of the cooler 22-24°C, can yield savings of 10-15%. Using fans in conjunction with air conditioning further enhances cooling efficiency while reducing energy use. The company also advises staggering the use of high-power appliances, particularly during peak hours (9:30-11:30 AM and 5:00-8:00 PM), to avoid hitting the most expensive consumption tiers. Investing in energy-efficient appliances, such as those with 4-5 star energy ratings or Inverter technology, can also lead to substantial savings of 20-30%.

“

Tháng 3 gia đình tôi dùng khoảng 280 kWh, nhưng sang tháng 4 lên gần 400 kWh nên tiền điện tăng rõ rệt. Sau khi được điện lực hỗ trợ và tư vấn, tôi mới hiểu là do mình dùng nhiều điều hòa, quạt máy và thời gian sử dụng tăng lên trong mùa nóng, do đó sản lượng điện sử dụng hàng tháng gia tăng và tiền điện được tính toán hoá đơn ở mức giá bậc thang cao hơn tương ứng.