Govt looks to fix minimum temp for ACs at 20°C

The government is working with appliance makers to standardize the cooling range of air conditioners to ensure that the minimum temperature is not set below 20°C (68°F), in an effort to cut the energy use of these power guzzlers.

- Bloomberg

NEW DELHI:

The plan, although at an initial stage, reflects the government's focus to boost energy efficiency as electricity consumption soars. In recent years, demand has outpaced generation capacity, leaving parts of the country without power during sweltering summer months of April through June.

Currently, thermostats on some of these devices can be adjusted to as low as 16°C.

"Temperatures would be set in the range of 20°C-28°C," Power Minister Manohar Lal told reporters at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. "This would be done for ACs at homes, hotels and even in cars."