Govt Pushes Citizens to Raise AC Temperature to Cut Bills and Save Energy
BEE says setting ACs at 24°C could save ₹5,000 crore annually and reduce 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions
New Delhi, June 7: As power grids stretch under record-breaking summer heat, the Indian government is now nudging citizens toward a small yet impactful shift—increase your air-conditioner’s temperature setting. The recommendation, issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), underscores a cost-saving and climate-smart approach: set your AC at 24°C or higher.
Why The Government Is Talking About Your AC Setting
It may not sound like much, but according to BEE officials, even a 1°C increase in your AC setting can slash electricity consumption by roughly 6%. Multiply that by thousands of households running cooling units for hours, and the energy impact is anything but minor.
Traditionally, many households set their ACs to cooler levels—around 20°C or 21°C. While that might feel refreshing in scorching weather, experts now say it’s often overkill. The BEE suggests 24°C to 25°C is more than enough for comfort, particularly when the room is sealed properly. Raising the temperature could significantly lighten the load on compressors, and in turn, ease both your electricity bill and the national energy demand.
The Math Behind Energy Cuts
Here’s what the numbers tell us. If consumers shift from 20°C to 24°C, they could reduce AC-specific energy consumption by up to 24%, as per data from the BEE. That’s a steep drop from a single change in routine.
Zoom out to the national scale, and the implications grow. If half of India’s AC users made this adjustment, the country could save around 10 billion units of electricity in a year. In financial terms, that’s a potential saving of ₹5,000 crore annually. But perhaps more crucial in the long run: India could cut down 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, a figure that plays directly into the nation’s climate targets.
How Air-Conditioners Work In Your Favor
Why does a slight tweak in temperature make such a difference? The answer lies in how air-conditioners operate. Once an AC reaches the set temperature, it switches off its compressor—the component responsible for consuming most of the electricity. When you set your AC to 24°C or higher, it reaches that point faster and cycles the compressor on and off less frequently.
In practical terms, that means an AC running for 8 hours might actually use the compressor for only 5 or 6 hours, provided the room is insulated well with doors and windows shut. Fewer active hours for the compressor equals lower electricity consumption.
Not A Regulation, But A Clear Signal
The government isn’t mandating this change—it’s not a law or a new regulation. But the tone from energy officials is clear: this is a smart move, both individually and collectively.
“There’s no cost involved, no new device to buy. Just a conscious choice in how you use the one you already own,” said an energy official familiar with the advisory. The emphasis now is on behavioral change rather than structural overhaul. And with energy demand surging—thanks to increasing AC penetration and rising urban temperatures—every degree counts.
Factory Settings and User Awareness
Another point being highlighted is that most air-conditioners are shipped with default settings, often tuned to lower temperatures. These can, and should, be changed by users.
“It’s a user-side fix,” said a BEE spokesperson. “You don’t need a technician or software update. You just need to be aware.”
Manufacturers, too, are being encouraged to rethink defaults, although no formal regulation has been issued on that front yet. Meanwhile, consumer awareness campaigns are expected to scale up, potentially through power utilities, appliance retailers, and public messaging platforms.
A Season of Strain
The timing of the advisory is deliberate. Summer temperatures are once again testing thresholds across India, with several cities already reporting over 40°C during the day and little respite at night. As cooling appliances work overtime, residential electricity usage has shot up, prompting concerns about peak load management and energy shortfalls.
In this context, the government’s message is simple: small changes, scaled across millions, can deliver real impact.
“We’re not asking people to give up cooling,” an energy planner said. “We’re asking them to cool smarter.”
What’s Next?
There’s no national policy attached to this guidance yet, but it’s evident that energy behavior is becoming a key component of India’s broader climate and energy strategy. The coming months could see expanded outreach, possibly even public dashboards or tools that let households track their own efficiency improvements.
For now, though, it comes down to this: set your AC to 24°C or higher. The savings, both for your wallet and the planet, are already backed by numbers.
Source: Bureau of Energy Efficiency
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Rohit Khatri is a travel and lifestyle editor with a flair for storytelling, digital trends, and cultural exploration. With a background in digital marketing and a strong grasp of entertainment, he crafts engaging content that inspires modern journeys and connects with today’s experience-driven audience.
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- Rohit Khatrihttps://hindustanherald.com/authors/rohit/
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