Why you might not to able to lower your AC temperatures below 20°C in India

You might not be able to lower your AC temperatures below 20°C in India very soon due to a new government mandate.

Here's why:

1. Government Regulation: The Indian government is implementing a new rule that will restrict the temperature range for air conditioners. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently announced that ACs sold across the country will be standardized to operate between 20°C and 28°C. This means you won't be able to set your AC temperature below 20°C (or above 28°C).

2. Energy Conservation: The primary reason behind this new rule is to significantly reduce electricity consumption across the country.

• Air conditioners are major electricity consumers, accounting for approximately 20% of India's total power demand (around 50 gigawatts).
• Studies show that even a 1°C increase in AC temperature can lead to a 6% reduction in energy use. By enforcing a minimum of 20°C, the government aims to save substantial amounts of power, especially during peak summer months when demand soars.

3. Reducing Pressure on the Power Grid: Setting ACs to very low temperatures (like 16°C or 18°C, which many current models allow) puts immense strain on the national power grid, often leading to power outages and blackouts, particularly during heatwaves. This new rule aims to alleviate that pressure.

4. Economic Savings: This move is expected to translate into significant savings for consumers on their electricity bills and also reduce the country's need to invest heavily in new power plants and grid upgrades (potentially saving ₹7.5 trillion, or around $88 billion, by 2035 according to some studies).

5. Standardization and Comfort: The initiative aims to standardize AC usage across various sectors (residential, commercial, and even vehicles) and promote more energy-efficient and comfortable temperature settings. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) had already mandated a default setting of 24°C for all star-labelled ACs since 2020, considering it a comfortable and energy-efficient temperature.

While the exact enforcement details are still being worked out, the upcoming rule will likely affect new AC units manufactured and sold in India, potentially removing the option to set temperatures below 20°C on their remotes. This is seen as a crucial step towards sustainable energy management in India.