India is set to enforce a nationwide regulation capping air conditioner (AC) temperature settings between 20 °C and 28 °C, announced by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

This policy aims to significantly reduce power consumption, lower electricity bills, and ease the burden on the country’s power grid amid rising temperatures and increasing AC usage.

The rule will apply uniformly across all 28 states, affecting residential, commercial, and automotive air conditioning units. The government is currently consulting with manufacturers and other stakeholders to finalise implementation details, with the new standards expected to come into effect soon.

States Impacted by the New AC Temperature Cap

This ambitious energy-saving initiative will be implemented across the entire country, covering the following 28 states:

• Andhra Pradesh: With its hot coastal climate and growing urban centres like Amaravati and Visakhapatnam, the regulation will help reduce peak summer electricity demand.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Though cooler, rising temperatures in the northeast call for energy-efficient cooling solutions.
• Assam: The state’s humid climate makes AC use common in urban areas such as Guwahati, where energy savings will be critical.
• Bihar: One of India’s most populous states, Bihar faces increasing heatwaves, making this regulation timely.
• Chhattisgarh: Industrial hubs like Raipur will benefit from reduced energy strain during summers.
• Goa: As a tourist hotspot, Goa’s commercial establishments will need to comply with the new standards.
• Gujarat: Known for extreme summer heat, cities like Ahmedabad and Surat will see significant energy conservation.
• Haryana: With rapid urbanisation around Gurugram and Faridabad, the rule will promote sustainable cooling.
• Himachal Pradesh: Though cooler, towns like Shimla will align with national standards for uniformity.
• Jharkhand: Industrial and mining regions will benefit from lowered energy costs.
• Karnataka: Bengaluru’s IT hubs and growing residential areas will be directly impacted.
• Kerala: High humidity and temperatures in cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi make this regulation relevant.
• Madhya Pradesh: Central India’s rising temperatures necessitate efficient cooling in urban centres like Bhopal and Indore.
• Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune, and other cities with high AC penetration will see significant power savings.
• Manipur: The regulation will help manage energy use in Imphal and other towns.
• Meghalaya: Shillong’s cooler climate will adapt to the uniform national standards.
• Mizoram: Aims to align with national energy-saving efforts despite cooler temperatures.
• Nagaland: Kohima and other areas will benefit from energy-efficient cooling norms.
• Odisha: Coastal heat and humidity in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will be addressed.
• Punjab: Agricultural and industrial zones will adopt the new AC temperature limits.
• Rajasthan: Known for extreme heat, cities like Jaipur and Jodhpur will gain from reduced power demand.
• Sikkim: Though cooler, Sikkim will maintain uniformity with national standards.
• Tamil Nadu: Chennai and Coimbatore’s high AC usage will be regulated for better energy management.
• Telangana: Hyderabad’s growing population and IT sector will be key beneficiaries.
• Tripura: Urban centres will align with national energy-saving goals.
• Uttar Pradesh: India’s most populous state, with cities like Lucknow and Noida, will see major impact.
• Uttarakhand: Dehradun and other towns will comply with the new standards.
• West Bengal: Kolkata and other urban areas will adopt the temperature caps to reduce energy consumption.

This comprehensive coverage ensures that the policy’s benefits—energy savings, reduced emissions, and grid stability—are felt nationwide, regardless of regional climate variations.

Context: Rising Demand and Global Comparisons

India’s soaring temperatures and rapid urbanisation have led to an unprecedented surge in air conditioner use, pushing peak electricity demand to record levels, such as the recent 241 GW peak amid heatwaves exceeding 45 °C in many regions.

Previously, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) recommended a default AC temperature of 24 °C, but this new regulation imposes stricter limits to further curb excessive energy use.

Globally, countries like Japan and Italy have promoted higher AC temperature settings to improve energy efficiency, though India’s approach is among the first to legally enforce such a cap nationwide. The government is engaging with manufacturers and industry experts to ensure smooth implementation and compliance, aiming for a balance between consumer comfort and sustainability.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The Logical Indian welcomes this decisive and forward-looking policy as a necessary step towards combating climate change and promoting responsible energy consumption. By standardising AC temperature settings across all states, the government not only addresses the urgent need to reduce peak electricity demand but also encourages citizens to adopt more sustainable habits.

While some may initially resist changes to their cooling preferences, this regulation offers a practical path to lowering emissions and electricity costs, fostering harmony between human comfort and environmental stewardship. How do you think this nationwide temperature cap will influence your daily life and energy use?