New AC Rule Incoming? Govt Plans to Limit Cooling to 20°C
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Your air conditioner may soon stop obeying you - or at least, stop going below 20°C. The Indian government is considering a bold new regulation to curb power consumption by setting a minimum temperature limit on all air conditioning units.
According to a Bloomberg report, the government is working closely with appliance manufacturers to standardise AC settings. Currently, most air conditioners can be set as low as 16°C, but the proposed change would cap the minimum at 20°C (68°F).
“Temperatures would be set in the range of 20°C to 28°C,” said Power Minister Manohar Lal during a press conference in New Delhi. “This would be done for ACs at homes, hotels and even in cars.”
Why This Matters
India’s power demand has been outpacing its supply, especially during the sweltering summer months from April to June. ACs alone account for around 50 gigawatts of electricity usage — about one-fifth of the country’s peak load.
“Every one-degree increase in AC temperature can reduce energy use by nearly 6%,” explained Pankaj Agarwal, the top bureaucrat at the Ministry of Power. “If we standardise the minimum to 20°C, it could save up to 3 gigawatts of peak demand.”
That’s no small figure. Three gigawatts could power millions of homes — and reduce strain on India’s stressed power grid.
Bigger Savings in Sight
This isn’t just about short-term relief. A study by the University of California, Berkeley estimates that tighter cooling efficiency rules could help India avoid building 60 gigawatts of extra capacity by 2035 — saving the country up to ₹7.5 trillion (approximately $88 billion) in new generation and grid costs.
India’s Cooling Crunch
India currently has about 100 million AC units in use and adds nearly 15 million more each year. Last summer, power demand hit a record 250 gigawatts, and it's expected to rise another 8% this year, though unseasonal rains in May temporarily eased the load.
Despite the pressure, officials say they’re prepared. “Even if the peak requirement reaches the estimated 270 gigawatts, we are fully prepared to meet it,” said Minister Lal.
A Greener Future in Progress
Alongside temperature regulations, the government is also laying the groundwork for a cleaner energy future. Lal revealed plans to invite bids for 30 gigawatt-hours of battery storage projects to support renewable energy and cut dependence on fossil fuels.
If the regulation passes, your AC might not blast icy air like before — but it could help India keep its cool, both literally and electrically. In a country where energy demand is exploding, even small changes like this can make a huge difference.
According to a Bloomberg report, the government is working closely with appliance manufacturers to standardise AC settings. Currently, most air conditioners can be set as low as 16°C, but the proposed change would cap the minimum at 20°C (68°F).
“Temperatures would be set in the range of 20°C to 28°C,” said Power Minister Manohar Lal during a press conference in New Delhi. “This would be done for ACs at homes, hotels and even in cars.”
Why This Matters
India’s power demand has been outpacing its supply, especially during the sweltering summer months from April to June. ACs alone account for around 50 gigawatts of electricity usage — about one-fifth of the country’s peak load.
“Every one-degree increase in AC temperature can reduce energy use by nearly 6%,” explained Pankaj Agarwal, the top bureaucrat at the Ministry of Power. “If we standardise the minimum to 20°C, it could save up to 3 gigawatts of peak demand.”
That’s no small figure. Three gigawatts could power millions of homes — and reduce strain on India’s stressed power grid.
Bigger Savings in Sight
This isn’t just about short-term relief. A study by the University of California, Berkeley estimates that tighter cooling efficiency rules could help India avoid building 60 gigawatts of extra capacity by 2035 — saving the country up to ₹7.5 trillion (approximately $88 billion) in new generation and grid costs.
India’s Cooling Crunch
India currently has about 100 million AC units in use and adds nearly 15 million more each year. Last summer, power demand hit a record 250 gigawatts, and it's expected to rise another 8% this year, though unseasonal rains in May temporarily eased the load.
Despite the pressure, officials say they’re prepared. “Even if the peak requirement reaches the estimated 270 gigawatts, we are fully prepared to meet it,” said Minister Lal.
A Greener Future in Progress
Alongside temperature regulations, the government is also laying the groundwork for a cleaner energy future. Lal revealed plans to invite bids for 30 gigawatt-hours of battery storage projects to support renewable energy and cut dependence on fossil fuels.
If the regulation passes, your AC might not blast icy air like before — but it could help India keep its cool, both literally and electrically. In a country where energy demand is exploding, even small changes like this can make a huge difference.
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