India to soon propose standardising of air conditioner temperature limits: All the details

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Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar, has announced that the Indian government is planning to implement a new standard temperature range for air conditioners across the country. Under this move, ACs will not be allowed to cool below 20 degrees Celsius, while the maximum limit will be capped at 28 degrees Celsius.

Khattar called the decision a bold step towards energy efficiency. “We have decided the minimum temperature of ACs will be fixed at 20 degrees Celsius and maximum at 28 degrees Celsius,” he said. The implementation will roll out soon and be monitored for effectiveness. The new rules aim to bring uniformity to air conditioning use and help reduce excessive power consumption due to extremely low cooling settings.

Energy efficiency focus

India has long been working to promote energy conservation and reduce electricity demand, especially during peak summer months. According to Khattar, the revised limits are part of a larger policy framework aimed at improving residential and commercial energy efficiency.

ACs in India often operate below 20°C in homes and offices, which leads to higher energy use and increased pressure on the power grid. With rising temperatures and growing demand for cooling appliances, managing consumption is becoming a national priority.

What this means for users

If the new rule get implemented, then the ACs which currently go till 18°C (or 16°C in some ACs) and up to 30°C will get restricted to 20°C for the lowest possible temperature and 28°C as the highest temperature.

Public survey

The move appears to follow a public consultation initiative launched by the Indian government in collaboration with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). A live survey hosted on mygov.in platform invited citizens to share their preferences for the ideal AC temperature. Open until March 25, 2025, the survey seeks to understand user habits and expectations in terms of comfort and cost.

How does this help reduce electricity consumption

According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), raising the air conditioner temperature setting can significantly cut electricity use. Most ACs are set between 20–21°C, but the ideal comfort range is 24–25°C. Raising the temperature from 20°C to 24°C can lead to around 24% power savings, while each 1°C increase can save about 6% electricity. If half of India’s AC users adopt this, the country could save 10 billion units annually, slash Rs 5,000 crore in electricity bills, and reduce CO₂ emissions by 8.2 million tonnes, making it a cost-effective energy efficiency measure.