AC Temperature Regulation: Modi Government to Set New Temperature Limits for Air Conditioners

In a significant move aimed at promoting energy efficiency, the Government of India has decided to impose standardized temperature limits on air conditioners used in homes, offices, and vehicles. The new rule mandates that AC temperatures must be set between a minimum of 20°C and a maximum of 28°C.

The announcement was made by Union Minister for Power and Urban Development, Manohar Lal Khattar, who stated that the policy would apply to all newly manufactured air conditioning units across sectors. The initiative is part of the government’s broader push to curb excessive energy consumption and enhance environmental sustainability.

Highlighting the energy implications, Energy Secretary Pankaj Agarwal noted that India currently has around 10 crore air conditioners, with 1.5 crore new units sold each year. According to Agarwal, lowering the AC temperature by just one degree increases energy consumption by approximately 6%. Hence, standardizing the operating range of air conditioners is expected to bring substantial energy savings nationwide.

“This move is necessary to avoid energy wastage and promote responsible usage of air conditioning in the country,” Agarwal added.

In addition to the AC regulation, Minister Khattar also announced a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme worth ₹5,400 crore to support battery energy storage projects. The initiative aims to develop 30 GWh of storage capacity, which is expected to attract private investment of around ₹33,000 crore.

The policy is aligned with India's target to meet its energy storage requirements by 2028, especially in light of increasing reliance on renewable sources like solar and wind.

The new rule means consumers will no longer be able to set their AC temperature below 20°C or above 28°C once the regulation takes effect. The government plans to enforce the limits uniformly across all AC manufacturers, ensuring that all future units conform to the energy-saving specifications.

With this decision, the government underscores its commitment to energy conservation and climate-conscious infrastructure, while also laying the foundation for long-term sustainability in household and commercial energy use.