At its peak, air conditioner technicians work to earn 2-3 million per day.

Intense heat, demand for air conditioning installation increases dramatically. Photo: Thanh Phuc

With a small child and a rather cramped and hot dormitory room, this summer, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Quy in Nghi Kim military dormitory (Vinh City) decided to install an air conditioner to cope with the heat. However, despite having purchased and deposited money at an electronics store 3 days ago, no one has come to install it yet. He kept calling and directly meeting the store owner, but he only received an apology, asking for sympathy because the air conditioner installer was overwhelmed and had to wait...

At the beginning of the hot season, in addition to the need for new installations, the need for cleaning, repairing, and maintaining air conditioners has increased dramatically. “In the past few days, the air conditioner has been acting up, still running but not cooling, and often suddenly shutting off. I called several electronics centers to hire someone to come fix it, but I only received promises because they are short of workers, no one has come to do the job yet, and will contact you when they have one,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Dao in Vinh Tan ward.

In addition to new installation, the demand for air conditioner repair and maintenance is also very large. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Entering the hot season, grasping customer needs, in addition to preparing goods, recruiting more installers and repairmen, most electrical facilities are short of workers.

Mr. Tran Ut - owner of an electrical appliance company in Vinh city said: "On average, we sell 10-15 air conditioners per day, so during this peak time, we prioritize new installations, then repairs and maintenance. 8 workers work day and night but still can't finish the work. There are many customers who want quick installation, willing to pay double, even triple the price for workers, but the workers still can't meet the demand."

Mr. Bui Huy Hung - an air conditioner repairman said: I have been working in the air conditioner repair business for 10 years. In addition to working for an electrical appliance company, I often undertake installation and repair work for families in need. This year, we have just entered the hot season, but there are days when we have to work until midnight to finish the job.

Air conditioner installation and repair have their own complex requirements, so each worker works at full capacity, even without a lunch break, and can only install 5-6 sets/day. Working hard in the hot sun, eating hasty lunches and dinners, working late into the night, but in return, they are paid quite well, with many workers earning 2-3 million VND/day during peak periods.

In Vinh, there are about 400 air conditioner installers and maintenance workers, but these days they still cannot meet the needs of customers. Working during the day and overtime at night, each worker earns 2 - 3 million VND/day. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Nguyen Cong Nam, an air conditioner repairman, said: “Because of the habit of customers, in the hot season, when using the air conditioner, they only call the technician when there is a problem, but rarely prepare, check, and maintain it in advance. Therefore, these days, customer demand is high, the whole city of Vinh has about 400 technicians but still cannot meet the demand, and the prices are high. Many people, because they cannot call reputable places, refrigeration facilities, have to go online to find them, and sometimes hire unskilled technicians, so they “lose money and get sick”.

According to a survey, this summer the cost of installing an air conditioner ranges from 300,000 - 500,000 VND/type; cleaning the air conditioner is 150,000 - 200,000 VND/time; pumping gas is 120,000 - 200,000 VND/time.