This means ACs will no longer be allowed to cool below 20 degrees Celsius or heat above 28 degrees Celsius.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced new provisions to soon standardize air conditioning temperatures across India, setting a mandatory operational range between 20°C and 28°C. This means ACs will no longer be allowed to cool below 20 degrees Celsius or heat above 28 degrees Celsius.
Manohar Lal Khattar said, “A new provision is being implemented soon regarding air conditioning standards. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, which means we will not be able to cool below 20°C or heat above 28°C.”
He termed the decision a bold step towards energy efficiency, adding, “We have decided the minimum temperature of ACs will be fixed at 20 degrees Celsius and maximum at 28 degrees Celsius.”
The implementation will commence soon, with monitoring planned to assess effectiveness and achieve uniformity in AC use, ultimately reducing excessive power consumption from extremely low cooling settings.
New Rules Focus On Energy Efficiency
India has consistently worked to promote energy conservation and reduce electricity demand, particularly during peak summer months as the minister highlighted that these revised limits are part of a broader policy framework aimed at enhancing residential and commercial energy efficiency. Currently, many ACs in Indian homes and offices operate below 20°C, leading to higher energy consumption and increased pressure on the national power grid.
What New Rules Could Mean For AC Users?
Once implemented, the new regulations will restrict the operational range of air conditioners. ACs that currently allow cooling down to 16°C or 18°C (and up to 30°C for heating) will be capped, with 20°C becoming the lowest possible temperature and 28°C the highest.
