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What is the new AC temperature rule?
India’s Power and Urban Affairs Ministry, led by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has announced a first-of-its-kind standardization requiring air conditioners—whether in homes, offices, or cars—to operate within a 20 °C to 28 °C range. That means:
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No cooling below 20 °C
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No heating above 28 °C
Previously, units could chill rooms down to 16–18 °C and heat up to 30 °C.
Why impose this temperature range?
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Significant energy savings
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By enforcing this fixed range, Indian consumers could collectively save ₹18,000–20,000 crore over three years
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Boost environmental sustainability
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Restricting extremes helps reduce electricity demand and lowers greenhouse gas emissions
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Global best practices
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Countries like Japan and Hong Kong already promote similar comfort standards—e.g., 28 °C in summer—balancing comfort with conservation
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Health & comfort alignment
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The Bureau of Energy Efficiency suggests an ideal indoor range of 24–26 °C, which is gentle on both energy consumption and human health
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What’s the timeline?
Although the proposal is new, the government previously advised (but didn’t mandate) setting a default of 24 °C back in 2020. Now, this is gearing up to become an official regulation. A rollout timeline hasn’t been confirmed yet, but initial statements suggest the draft standards will be published soon.
What this means for you
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Buying new ACs: All future models sold in India will only allow temperature settings between 20 °C and 28 °C.
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Home & office use: Existing units may also need firmware updates or thermostat recalibration.
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Lifestyle adjustment: Use of ceilings fans and smart thermostats may become essential to adjust comfort without overcooling.
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Environmental impact: This is a major step toward India’s goals under the Cooling Action Plan—reducing cooling-related energy demand and pollution.
Bottom line
India is now moving from voluntary advice to enforceable limits on AC temperature settings—a landmark step aiming to curb energy demand, fight climate change, and encourage healthier cooling habits. If you’re planning to buy or install an AC soon, expect future models to be “locked” within 20–28 °C.
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