ACs can’t go below 20°C, Centre to bring new norms for air conditioning usage

New Delhi,  : In a landmark initiative to regulate and optimise air conditioning usage, the Government of India is set to introduce mandatory emperature limits for air conditioners across sectors. Informing about the development, Union Minister for
Housing and Urban Affairs, ManoharLalKhattar, on Tuesday said that ACs will soon be restricted to operate between 20 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius temperature range.
Terming it as a pilot measure, Khattar said that the move is designed to bring uniformity to temperature settings and improve energy efficiency. “Regarding air conditioning standards, a new provision is being implemented soon. The temperature standardization
for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, meaning we won’t be able to cool below 20°C or warm above 28°C. This is a first-of-its-kind experiment, aiming to standardise temperature settings,” said Khattar. “It is a unique step towards controlling unnecessary power consumption caused by extremely low cooling temperatures,” he said.The regulation will be applicable not just in homes and office spaces but also in  airconditioned vehicles. The ministry hopes that limiting temperature settings will reduce electricity bills, ease peak load pressures on the power grid, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Currently, most AC units allow users to set temperatures from as low as 16 degree Celsius to as high as 30 degree Celsius. The new rules will
override those settings. Once these changes are implemented, air conditioners across India will have a limited operating range. ACs that currently cool to as low as 16°C or 18°C will not happen. The minimum cooling setting will be set up at 20°C, and heating will be fixed at 28°C. This is likely to influence the use of air conditioners in both households and commercial settings, with authorities planning to oversee its execution and assess its impact. According to reports, the government emphasises the need to
lower the burden on the national power grid and urges responsible energy use. The new rule looks to resolve the power consumption led by ACs low temperatures below 20°C.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) states raising the air conditioner temperature by just a few degrees can lead to significant energy savings. While most ACs in India are typically set between 20-21°C, the recommended comfort range is 24° for all star-labelled rooms and car ACs, whereas for commercial buildings it is between 24 degrees celsius and 25 degrees celsius, the 2020 mandate says. It notes that increasing the
temperature setting from 20°C to 24°C can reduce electricity usage by up to 24%. In fact, each 1°C increase can lower power consumption by approximately 6%.

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