Pressing 'This Button' on Your Air Conditioner Can Spike Your Electricity Bill... Growing Interest in 'Smart Usage Tips' [Jumeoni Talk]

Power Demand Expected to Hit All-Time High This Summer
Save on Electricity Bills by Changing Air Conditioner Habits
"Residential Energy Cashback" Program Draws Attention

Editor's NoteWe are living in an era where a single serving of samgyeopsal costs 20,000 won and a bowl of jajangmyeon is 7,500 won. The Consumer Price Index for 2024 stands at 114.18 (2020=100), and in 2025, high inflation continues to increase the burden on consumers' grocery budgets. Through the "Jumeoni Talk" (Week+Money+Talk) series, we aim to share stories about consumption that directly impact our wallets, keeping pace with the ever-changing prices.

As the air conditioner runs longer due to the heatwave, more people are worried about higher electricity bills. Photo by Getty Images Bank

With the early onset of a heatwave, air conditioner usage has surged, leading to a heavier electricity bill burden for consumers. Following an exceptionally short rainy season this year, the sweltering heat began earlier than usual, causing both cooling demand and electricity consumption to rise sharply. As the heatwave is expected to persist for some time, there is growing interest in "smart air conditioner usage tips" to help reduce electricity costs.

Turning Off the Air Conditioner Is Not an Option... Power Demand Hits Record Highs Amid Heatwave

According to the Korea Power Exchange on July 13, the peak power demand on July 10 reached 90.7 GW (gigawatts). This figure is 12.1% higher than the peak demand of 80.9 GW recorded on the same day last year. Typically, peak power demand exceeding 90 GW occurs between late July and early August, when the summer heat is at its peak. This year, however, an unusually early heatwave has caused power demand to rise much faster than usual.

The point at which summer peak power demand surpassed 90 GW also came more than two weeks earlier than last year (July 25). On July 7, peak demand soared to 93.4 GW, setting a new record for the month of July, and on July 8, it reached 95.6 GW, breaking the record again.

To ease the burden of electricity bills during the summer months (July to August), the government has decided to temporarily relax the progressive rate brackets for residential electricity. However, due to the surge in usage of cooling devices such as air conditioners, the electricity bill burden on ordinary households remains significant. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced that, for a four-person household, average monthly residential electricity consumption during the summer increases by 61% (152 kWh) compared to the spring. In terms of electricity bills, this amounts to an average monthly increase of about 29,000 won (64%).

Authorities expect power demand this summer to rise even further. In particular, they forecast that, during weekdays in the second week of August, peak power demand will reach between 94.1 GW and 97.8 GW between 5 and 6 p.m. The Korea Meteorological Administration also predicts, in its mid-term forecast, that temperatures in August and September will be higher than average, raising the possibility that the late-summer heat will continue into September, as it did last year.

How to Reduce Electricity Bills... Check Outdoor Units and Filters

There is growing interest in ways to use air conditioners more efficiently to ease the burden of electricity bills. Avoiding high-power functions and making small changes to usage habits can help reduce electricity costs.

A prime example is the "power cooling" (power/turbo cooling) mode. While this function is effective for quickly lowering indoor temperatures, it can use up to twice as much electricity as regular cooling. Prolonged use can significantly increase electricity bills.Therefore, it is advisable to use power cooling only for the initial 10 to 20 minutes, then switch to regular or energy-saving mode. Maintaining the indoor temperature at 26 to 28 degrees Celsius and using a fan to circulate air can improve cooling efficiency while reducing power consumption.

If you are a self-employed business owner running a store, it is important to avoid "open-door cooling." Running the air conditioner with the door open can increase power consumption by up to three to four times compared to when the door is closed. To improve cooling efficiency, make sure cold air does not escape through windows or door gaps, and block external heat from entering the premises.

To maximize cooling performance, it is essential to maintain the air conditioner itself. The outdoor unit, in particular, has a significant impact on cooling efficiency during the summer. Since outdoor units are usually installed outside, dust, leaves, and other debris can easily accumulate. If left unattended, this can reduce cooling performance, so regular cleaning is important. If the outdoor unit is installed indoors, you must open the window while operating it to ensure proper functioning.

In addition, the air conditioner's dust filter should be maintained regularly. Air conditioners draw in air from the rear, pass it through the dust filter, and blow cool air out the front. If dust accumulates on the filter, it can block airflow and reduce cooling performance. It is recommended to clean the filter at least every two weeks during the summer.

Meanwhile, Korea Electric Power Corporation's "Residential Energy Cashback" program is also gaining attention as a way to reduce electricity bills. If you reduce your electricity usage by 3% or more compared to the average usage for the same month over the previous two years, you will receive a refund of 30 to 100 won per kWh saved. The refund is not paid in cash but is deducted from the following month's electricity bill. As of May, more than 1.25 million households had enrolled in the program, and last year, a total of 16.6 billion won in benefits was provided.