Can’t chill below 20°C: India sets limits on how cold ACs can go

Dubai: India is proposing new guidelines regarding the range of temperatures accessible on air conditioners. The new policy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Power, is introducing a new restricted temperature limit for the highest and lowest temperatures available on air conditioners.

While the policy largely targets homes, it may be applicable for air conditioners in other spaces as well, such as hotels.

The change is rooted in efforts to reduce energy consumption levels during India’s brutal summer temperatures.

Here’s what you need to know about the proposed policy.

The rundown

The policy was unveiled at a government event in early June, where Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khatter, outlined the exact range local authorities are eyeing.

“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 is a first-of-its-kind experiment, aiming to standardise temperature settings,” he said, as reported by ANI.

The current lowest temperature available on air conditioners tends to be in the 16 to 18 degrees Celsius range, with 17 degrees Celsius being the standard on many appliances.

Even though a three degree difference may not seem like a big change, experts from India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency share that each degree change in temperature has the potential to save nearly six percent of energy.

Energy usage

Currently air conditioners, among other similar cooling devices, require a lot of energy for usage. And constant usage, such as in the summer heat, can not only impact the performance of these devices, but also affect their longevity. This results in the need for frequent replacements.

Aside from replacements, the number of people purchasing new air conditioners is also expected to rise.

In fact, studies done by the India Energy and Climate Center at the University of California, Berkeley, indicate that within the next decade, India may see the addition of 130 to 150 million new room air conditioners. This, the centre states, can contribute to 180 Gigawatt to India’s peak load by 2035.

Summer 2025

This summer season has already proven to be an extremely difficult one for residents across India. While monsoon rains have periodically helped cool down temperatures, the country still experienced soaring temperatures and heatwave warnings.

This was particularly true for Indian cities like Rajasthan and New Delhi that endured a heatwave earlier in June. Meanwhile, Kashmir currently faces high temperatures, causing a noticeable uptick in the sales of air conditioners in the area.