As an unprecedented heat wave continues, more households are unable to turn off air conditioners despite the burden of electricity bills. Some "thrifty types" check their usage in real time to avoid exceeding 450 kWh a month, the third-tier threshold under the summer progressive system, but many "super users" say they cannot endure the heat and are accepting higher-tier charges.
On the 30th, several posts about checking monthly electricity usage were uploaded to online communities. "As of July 28, I'm at 411 kWh, so I just need to hold out for three days," "I'm already over 700 kWh but trying not to exceed 1,000 kWh," and "I used 496 kWh; the real-time charge is 108,000 won, and the estimated monthly bill is 320,000 won," among others.
It is a move to save on electricity bills by taking into account the current summer electricity rate structure for dwellings. Summer residential electricity rates operate on a three-tier progressive system: ▲300 kWh or less (120 won/kWh) ▲300–450 kWh (214.6 won) ▲over 450 kWh (307.3 won). If monthly usage exceeds 450 kWh, both the per-kWh rate and the basic charge increase, adding to the burden.
Tips to reduce electricity costs, even a little, are being actively shared. Representative methods include using the air conditioner together with a fan or air circulator, keeping the set temperature constant, and using cooling products such as cool mats.
A resident, A, in Seoul's Gwanak District said, "I have been running the living room air conditioner at 26–27 degrees throughout July and using three fans in the kids' room and the bedroom, keeping usage at around 380 kWh so far," adding, "I plan to save as much as possible through the end of the month with a goal of staying under 400 kWh."
Some are outright calling themselves "super users." Under the super user plan, if electricity usage in July–August exceeds 1,000 kWh, a rate of 736.2 won per kWh applies. B, a homemaker living in Seoul's Seongdong District, said, "Because of my cat, I set the living room temperature to 26 degrees, and last month's electricity bill alone was 280,000 won," adding, "It's so hot that I decided to accept being a 'super user' this summer."
Some argue the summer electricity rate structure for dwellings should be redesigned. They cite that the in-home power usage environment has changed from the past, with wider adoption not only of cooling devices but also of appliances such as dryers, dishwashers, and robot vacuums. It is easy to find opinions on online communities or social media (SNS) calling for adding more tiers to the progressive system or raising the thresholds.
However, there were also considerable concerns that easing the progressive system could lead to a surge in electricity use, given that Korea's electricity rates are lower than those of major countries. According to Korea Electric Power Corporation, based on the average usage of a domestic family of four in July–August last year, the monthly electricity bill was the cheapest among seven major countries used for comparison, including the United States, Japan, and France.
It is also hard to find evidence that electricity usage has soared due to wider adoption of electric appliances. According to Korea Electric Power Corporation, the average July–August electricity usage last year for a domestic family of four was 419 kWh. There was no significant difference compared with the average usage for a family of four in the summer of 2022 (427 kWh) or the July–August monthly average for a family of four in the 2020 Energy Census (427 kWh).
With the heat wave likely to continue for the time being, more households are expected to struggle between cooling and electricity costs. The Korea Meteorological Administration expects little change for now in the current situation in which the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High are jointly covering Korea. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that the heat wave, with afternoon highs of 33–39 degrees, will continue through next week.
The variable is this year's Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th of the season. Dolphin formed over waters 3,490 kilometers east of Guam on the 27th and passed over waters 2,280 kilometers east of Guam at 9 a.m. that day. As Dolphin is expected to intensify to strength 5, the highest on the typhoon intensity scale, it could continue moving westward and affect the pressure systems around the Korean Peninsula.