The cost of keeping cool during summer in Japan

Those of us who have spent summers in Japan know that it can be a delicate balancing act of keeping yourself cool with the A/C running, or bracing yourself for the next electricity bill. This year, that balancing act is likely to feel even tougher as electricity prices continue to climb nationwide.

According to a recent survey by Panasonic, 82% of people in Japan say they feel burdened by rising electricity costs, while nearly half of respondents plan to limit their air conditioner use this summer to save money. A big part of the concern comes as government energy subsidies have ended and renewable energy surcharges have increased, pushing up household utility bills across the country.

At the same time, we're already experiencing unusually early heat. Panasonic's data found that nationwide air conditioner use exceeded 20% by mid-May for the first time this season, with many people reporting that this year feels hotter earlier than usual. We had a couple of days here in Niigata earlier this week that were 31 and 32 degrees Celsius respectively, so I have to agree with the survey participants! Despite that, 66% admitted they still hesitate to use air conditioning in May, and that's often because of worries about cost.

The survey also found that many people wait until indoor temps reach around 24–25°C before switching on the cooling. However, experts continue to warn against avoiding air conditioning during dangerously hot weather, particularly as heatstroke cases happen every summer.

To cut costs without sacrificing comfort, Panasonic recommends making better use of fan-only modes before peak summer arrives. The company says fan mode can cost as little as 0.4 yen per hour to run, while also helping lower perceived temps by circulating air around the room. Raising the cooling temperature setting slightly while increasing airflow can also help reduce electricity consumption.

Have you found you're already using A/C this month?