India to standardize AC temperature settings between 20°C and 28°C

New govt regulation aims to boost energy efficiency and reduce power consumption

In a landmark move to regulate air conditioning usage, the Indian government will soon mandate that air conditioners across sectors cannot be set below 20 degrees Celsius or above 28 degrees Celsius. The announcement was made by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

“Regarding air conditioning standards, a new provision is being implemented soon. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C and 28°C,” Khattar said. He described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind experimental step toward uniformity in temperature settings across the country.

Applies to homes, offices, vehicles

The regulation will apply to residential buildings, commercial establishments, and vehicles equipped with air conditioning systems. According to officials, this initiative responds to increasing concerns over climate change, surging temperatures, and a growing dependence on cooling appliances.

By enforcing these limits, the government aims to improve energy efficiency, prevent sharp increases in electricity demand during peak hours, and reduce power bills for consumers.

“We’ve decided that the minimum temperature of ACs will be fixed at 20°C and the maximum at 28°C to reduce excessive energy consumption caused by extreme cooling or heating settings,” Khattar added.

Will override existing temperature ranges

Currently, many air conditioners sold in India allow users to set temperatures as low as 16°C or as high as 30°C. The new rule, once enforced, will override these manufacturer-provided settings.

This follows a 2020 mandate by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which required the default temperature for all star-labelled room and car ACs to be set at 24°C. In commercial buildings, temperature settings are generally recommended between 24°C and 25°C to balance comfort and energy efficiency.

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