The Big Apple: Energy Bills Cool Off with the Weather

Significant Reduction in Electricity Bills

According to statistics, the number of residential customers in the fifth and sixth tiers of the electricity price ladder for July decreased by an average of 10.76% compared to the peak months of hot weather (April and May 2024). Notably, customers in the sixth tier (consuming 401 kWh and above at a rate of 3,015 VND, excluding VAT) decreased by 11.30% (approximately 270,000 customers).

Mr. Minh, a resident of District 3, shared that his family spent 1.7 million VND on electricity in April 2024. Their consumption in the sixth tier alone was 198 kWh, costing over 600,000 VND. In contrast, their electricity expense for July was just over 1 million VND, with only 35 kWh falling into the sixth tier, costing a little over 100,000 VND. “There have been no changes in the electrical appliances we use at home. Moreover, during July, the children were on summer vacation and spent more time at home, so the usage of devices like TVs and fans increased. Yet, our electricity bill was lower,” said Mr. Minh.

Mr. Tam, a homeowner in Thu Duc City, also noticed a decrease in his electricity bill, dropping from over 2 million VND in May to 1.3 million VND in July. Specifically, his sixth-tier electricity cost for July was 299,345 VND, while it was 1,061,887 VND in May.

The primary reason for the substantial drop in high-tier electricity consumption among residential customers in July and the following months is the change in weather patterns in Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern region. With the arrival of the rainy season, the climate has become cooler, and the temperature at night and early morning has dropped, reducing the need for cooling appliances, especially air conditioners. The usage duration of these appliances has also shortened, and they are no longer operated continuously at low temperature settings (18–23 degrees Celsius). As a result, the electricity consumption of households has significantly decreased, with their bills mostly covering the first to fourth tiers and a small portion of the fifth and sixth tiers.

Additionally, households have improved their energy conservation practices, turning them into daily habits. They have started using energy-efficient appliances with energy labels, turning off devices when not in use, and unplugging them completely. Residents are also mindful of using air conditioners only when necessary, minimizing the use of incandescent light bulbs, and adopting solar power systems for water heating and electricity generation. Notably, due to the cooler nights, many households have reduced the usage of air conditioners throughout the night.

Taking Control: Monitoring and Adjusting Electricity Consumption

Mr. Bui Trung Kien, Deputy General Director of EVNHCMC, stated that 100% of electricity customers in Ho Chi Minh City are now equipped with remote metering systems. These systems not only collect electricity data for billing purposes but also provide valuable insights into customers’ electricity usage patterns. They can detect abnormal increases or decreases in electricity consumption and monitor parameters such as current, voltage, and power factor. This information is automatically sent to customers through the EVNHCMC CSKH app, empowering them to make informed decisions about their electricity usage.

Mr. Kien added that by accessing the EVNHCMC CSKH app, customers can view their daily electricity consumption charts and make adjustments to their usage habits. This empowers them to minimize consumption in the higher tiers of the electricity price ladder, resulting in significant cost savings for their households.

“The Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation continuously urges customers to join us in practicing energy conservation measures. We aim to make energy conservation a habit, not just a temporary solution during hot and dry seasons,” emphasized Mr. Kien.