India is considering standardising air conditioner temperature settings to improve energy efficiency and cut electricity usage. While the move has merit, media reports argue that broader changes in urban planning, taxation, and technology adoption are key to creating sustainable cooling solutions.
The Indian government is exploring the idea of capping temperature settings in air conditioners across the country. Under the proposal, ACs would not be allowed to cool below 20°C or heat above 28°C. The aim? To curb excessive electricity use driven by increasingly aggressive cooling habits.
Air conditioner usage in India has soared in the last decade, with ownership tripling since 2010. India’s power demand for cooling jumped by 20% between 2019 and 2022. Nearly one-tenth of the nation’s total electricity is now spent just to beat the heat.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, has proposed that new ACs come with mandatory temperature limits—a step that could contribute to energy savings.
According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), raising the default temperature setting from 20°C to 24°C can reduce power consumption by nearly 24%. Every 1°C increase can save about 6% in electricity. These small changes could save ₹18,000–20,000 crore in power costs over three years and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Several countries have adopted similar measures. Italy’s “Operation Thermostat” mandates a 27°C minimum in public buildings. Spain has similar rules, while Japan advises 28°C in offices. These efforts are already contributing to lower energy use in warmer months.
Despite the benefits, India’s situation is more complex. Unlike temperate nations, India deals with extreme heat and high humidity. A one-size-fits-all temperature cap doesn’t account for regional climatic variations and poor urban planning.
Most Indian roads use asphalt—a cost-effective but heat-absorbing material. Asphalt traps solar heat during the day and radiates it back, raising local temperatures, as per news reports.
Some cities are testing “cool pavement” solutions. In Los Angeles, reflective coatings helped reduce surface temperatures by 10°C. Similar pilot efforts are underway in parts of Mumbai, where authorities are painting streets white to deflect sunlight.
Scaling such solutions nationwide could bring down ambient temperatures and reduce the need for aggressive cooling indoors.
Modern Indian cities are filled with glass-clad buildings that may look modern but perform poorly in hot climates. Glass creates a greenhouse effect, trapping heat indoors. This increases reliance on ACs, which then expel warm air outdoors, worsening external conditions.
The cycle is energy-draining and unsustainable.
Mandating standard AC temperatures could help reduce energy use—but it's not a standalone solution. India needs a broader, more integrated approach to sustainable cooling. That means designing heat-resilient infrastructure, promoting efficient appliances and rethinking how cities manage heat in the first place.
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Published on: Jun 16, 2025, 2:26 PM IST
Neha Dubey
Neha Dubey is a Content Analyst with 3 years of experience in financial journalism, having written for a leading newswire agency and multiple newspapers. At Angel One, she creates daily content on finance and the economy. Neha holds a degree in Economics and a Master’s in Journalism.
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