Demand for household electricity increases sharply
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from April to September 2026, hot weather tends to increase both in intensity and scope nationwide.
This phenomenon appeared early from April, expanding in the Northern and Central regions from the end of May. Especially, in July-September 2026, the number of hot days is forecast to be more and more intense than in 2025.
Recorded in Da Nang City, right from the beginning of May, the weather has turned hot and humid. Many households have used cooling devices such as air conditioners, electric fans, and at the same time increased the frequency of use in daily life.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu (Thanh Khe ward) said that in recent days her family has been forced to turn on the air conditioner every night to ensure sleep. "If you don't use the air conditioner, it's very difficult to sleep, especially for the elderly and young children," she shared.
Hot weather has not reached its peak, but electricity consumption has begun to "heat up" day by day. This is the reality happening in many households when electricity demand increases rapidly right from the beginning of the season.
According to the Central Power Corporation, in the hot season, domestic electricity output may increase sharply compared to normal months, creating great pressure on the power supply system. At the Corporation, the maximum Pmax capacity on May 15, 2026 reached 4,590 MW, setting a new peak in 2026.
Cooling equipment - the main "culprit
Mr. Nguyen Huu Khanh - Deputy General Director of Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC) said that in the hot season, the increased use of air conditioners and cooling equipment is the main reason for the sharp increase in electricity bills for many households.
Agreeing with this view, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Dung (Hanoi University of Science and Technology) - a leading expert in refrigeration technology: In the electricity use structure of households, cooling devices, especially air conditioners, always account for a large proportion, possibly up to 40-70% of total electricity consumption in the hot season.
This is a practical technical parameter showing that just a small change in air conditioner usage habits will create a major impact on the total consumption capacity of the entire system.
The reason is not only due to increased usage frequency but also due to unreasonable equipment operating habits. The installation of air conditioners at too low a temperature, the simultaneous use of many high-capacity devices or not ensuring room shelter makes the machine have to operate continuously at high intensity, significantly increasing electricity consumption.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Dung, people can completely control this cost level by adjusting their usage behavior. Specifically, air conditioning temperatures should be set at 26-28°C, combined with the use of fans to increase the efficiency of cold air circulation; limit the simultaneous use of many high-capacity devices during peak hours; turn off devices when not necessary and prioritize the use of energy-saving labeled devices.
In addition, ensuring the tightness of the room when using air conditioning, using sunshades to limit heat radiation, periodic equipment cleaning and monitoring daily electricity consumption are also simple but highly effective solutions in reducing electricity bill costs.
Increasingly extreme weather leads to increased electricity demand. Therefore, using electricity economically and efficiently not only helps reduce living costs but also contributes to reducing pressure on the power system, ensuring stable power supply during prolonged hot days.
