AC Temperature Range: Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Tuesday that the government will soon enforce new regulations requiring air conditioners to operate only between 20°C and 28°C. In a first-of-its-kind initiative to standardize AC usage across sectors, Khattar said, “We will soon implement a clause that sets the minimum temperature at 20 degrees Celsius and the maximum at 28 degrees Celsius. This will apply to both cooling and heating functions.”
Calling it an experimental phase, the former Haryana Chief Minister described the move as a step toward “standardising temperature settings.” The new rule will cover residential and commercial buildings, as well as automobile air conditioning systems.
Officials believe this decision reflects growing concerns over climate change, soaring temperatures, and the rapid surge in cooling device usage. By capping temperature limits, the government aims to boost energy efficiency, reduce peak electricity demand, and help consumers cut down on power bills. This unprecedented move signals a shift toward more sustainable cooling practices and highlights the government’s push for responsible energy consumption amid a changing climate
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Fixed AC Temperature Range:
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced that the government has decided to fix the minimum temperature of air conditioners at 20°C and the maximum at 28°C. He said this move aims to standardize air conditioning usage and reduce excessive power consumption caused by extremely low cooling settings.
Currently, most air conditioners allow users to set temperatures as low as 16°C or as high as 30°C. However, once the new rule comes into effect, these options will be replaced by the government’s mandated range. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) had already taken steps in 2020 by mandating that all star-rated room and vehicle air conditioners default to 24°C. In commercial buildings, officials allow temperature adjustments between 24°C and 25°C to maintain a balance between energy savings and user comfort.