Like many households in Hanoi, Ms. Dang Ngoc Huyen's family (Thanh Xuan ward) clearly feels the heat when electricity bills start to increase. During the early summer heat wave, when the air conditioner operated at full capacity, electricity costs increased by about 20% compared to the previous month.
Not only Ms. Huyen's family, Tran Thi Hong Nhung (Dong Da ward) and her group of roommates also apply many ways to save electricity. According to Nhung, it is necessary to understand the efficiency of equipment to use it optimally, both ensuring health and reducing costs.
Explaining the reality that electricity bills increase more in the hot season, Dr. Trinh Quoc Dung (Energy Expert, Faculty of Thermal Energy, Mechanical School, Hanoi University of Science and Technology) analyzed that in the summer, the demand for air conditioning increases very high and usually accounts for 50-60% of total energy consumption in each household. In high-rise buildings and businesses, this number also ranges from 40-60%.
One of the most common problems today is that the air conditioning system at many projects has not been optimized, lacks periodic maintenance or uses old low-performance equipment, leading to the situation of electricity consumption but the cooling efficiency is not commensurate.
According to Dr. Trinh Quoc Dung, people need to clearly identify ineffective electricity consumption behaviors to avoid waste. The most common mistake is the habit of setting the air conditioner temperature too low, usually at 18-20°C, hoping the room will cool down faster. In fact, this only causes the compressor to overload continuously and consume many times more electricity.
In addition, frequently opening doors when the air conditioner is running, not cleaning the filter net periodically, causing dust to cling tightly, reducing the ability to exchange heat, or simultaneously turning on high-capacity devices during peak hours are all direct causes that push up electricity bills sharply and cause the risk of local power grid incidents.
To optimize electricity use, Dr. Trinh Quoc Dung recommends solutions for both households and businesses. For families, air conditioners should be set to 26-27°C, combined with fans, and periodically cleaned and maintained. When buying equipment, it is necessary to prioritize products with high energy efficiency labels to save long-term costs.
For buildings and businesses, it is necessary to apply smart energy management systems, conduct periodic audits to detect losses and upgrade equipment. At the same time, use heat-resistant films, take advantage of natural light to reduce the load on the cooling and lighting systems.
Using energy-saving, especially with air conditioning, is an important solution to ensure energy security. Small changes in habits and technical solutions not only reduce electricity costs but also protect the environment, reduce emissions and move towards sustainable development.
