New AC temperature limit won't happen anytime soon; minister hints at timeline

The government is unlikely to implement the proposed standardised air conditioning temperature range of 20 to 28 degrees Celsius anytime soon, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Friday.

When asked about the timeline for implementing the minimum and maximum temperature standards for air conditioners, Yadav said any such situation "may arise only after 2050".

"I do not think it will happen immediately; capacities will be gradually built for it over time," he said at the India Climate Summit.

His remarks come days after Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced plans to standardise air conditioning temperatures in the country, triggering a huge debate on social media.

Speaking at a press conference in the national capital to highlight the achievements in the power sector over the past 11 years of the NDA government, Khattar had said, “Regarding air conditioning standards, a new provision is being implemented soon. The temperature standardisation 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 would be done for ACs at homes, hotels and even in cars,” he added.

The proposed move was aimed at reducing electricity consumption, especially during peak summer months when demand surges. Many homes and commercial buildings set their ACs at very low temperatures, sometimes as low as 16°C, putting extra pressure on the power grid.

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, said air conditioners account for about 50 gigawatts, or one-fifth, of India’s maximum load, reported Bloomberg.

Studies have shown that every 1°C increase in AC temperature leads to a reduction of 6% in power consumption, which translates to savings of 3 gigawatts of peak demand, he said.

India currently has around 100 million air conditioners, with 15 million new units being installed every year.

“Limiting minimum AC temperatures at 20C can provide us the twin benefits of comfort and energy efficiency,” Bloomberg quoted Aarti Khosla, director at consultancy Climate Trends, as saying. “Trying to super-chill our surroundings can be a heavy burden on the power grid and we, as Indians, need to understand that.”

According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), most ACs in India are currently set between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius, though the ideal comfort range is 24 to 25 degrees Celsius.

BEE recommends setting air conditioners at 24 to 25 degrees Celsius to balance comfort and energy use. It says that keeping the temperature too low, around 20 to 21 degrees Celsius, wastes electricity.

India’s maximum electricity demand hit a record of 250 gigawatts last summer and is estimated to rise by 8% this year.

“Even if the peak requirement reaches the estimated 270 gigawatts, we are fully prepared to meet it,” Khattar had said.