Vietnam warns households on mist sprays and separate circuits for air‑conditioners amid extreme heat

During prolonged heat waves, many families have begun attaching mist‑spraying systems around the outdoor unit of air‑conditioners, hoping to speed cooling and cut electricity bills. Experts caution that the method offers limited benefit, especially in humid areas, and can damage the condenser through mineral deposits, corrosion and moisture ingress, ultimately shortening the unit’s lifespan. They recommend keeping the unit well‑ventilated, using proper shading, regular cleaning and sensible temperature settings instead of mist sprays.

The Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) has issued an advisory urging homeowners to install a dedicated circuit breaker (aptomat) for high‑power appliances such as air‑conditioners. A separate circuit prevents overloads, tripping of the main breaker and fire hazards that can arise when many devices share a single line during peak demand. While the dedicated breaker does not directly reduce power consumption, it avoids frequent restarts that waste energy and wear out equipment. Experts also note that repeatedly switching off the breaker offers negligible savings and can damage the device; using remote controls and appropriate temperature settings is more effective.