New Delhi: In a move aimed at conserving energy and tackling rising electricity demand due to climate change, the Power Ministry is set to implement a uniform temperature range for all air conditioners across India — including those in vehicles.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the government has decided that all air conditioners will be restricted to a minimum of 20°C and a maximum of 28°C. “This is part of our effort to reduce excessive power consumption due to extremely low temperature settings and promote energy-efficient cooling practices,” he said.
The new temperature limits will apply across all sectors — residential, commercial, and transportation — and are expected to be implemented soon.
Currently, air conditioners in India often run at extremely low temperatures, even dipping to 16°C–18°C, especially in homes, offices, and vehicles. This results in higher energy use and inflated electricity bills. Under the new regulation, ACs will no longer be allowed to operate below 20°C or above 28°C.
The revised settings are part of a broader policy push to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the nation’s overall power consumption. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), most ACs are typically set at 20–21°C, whereas the optimal comfort range is around 24–25°C.
Experts say raising the default AC temperature from 20°C to 24°C can result in 24% power savings, and every additional 1°C increase can save up to 6% electricity.
If just half of India’s AC users follow the new guidelines, the country could save an estimated 10 billion units of electricity per year, potentially reducing power bills by ₹5,000 crore.