Indian AC Industry to Adopt New Temperature Norms Without Extra Costs.

The Indian government has announced plans to standardize air conditioner temperatures between 20-28°C, and the industry is expected to comply within 6 months without passing on extra costs to consumers. Leading manufacturers such as Voltas, LG, Blue Star, and Haier have welcomed the move, citing energy savings and sustainable growth. However, minor modifications to remote controls and firmware will be necessary for implementation.

The Indian government has announced plans to standardize air conditioner temperatures between 20°C and 28°C, with the industry expected to comply within six months. This move aims to reduce excessive energy consumption and ease the strain on the national power grid. Leading manufacturers such as Voltas, LG, Blue Star, and Haier have welcomed the initiative, citing potential energy savings and sustainable growth. However, minor modifications to remote controls and firmware will be necessary for implementation.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who oversees the Power Ministry, announced the new provision at a press conference in New Delhi. The initiative, described as a "first-of-its-kind experiment," aims to standardize temperature settings for air conditioners in homes, hotels, and even vehicles. The minimum cooling temperature will be set at 20°C, while the maximum heating temperature will be fixed at 28°C [1].

The decision comes amid rising temperatures and increasing electricity demand during the summer months. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), raising the air conditioner temperature by a few degrees can lead to significant energy savings. For instance, increasing the temperature setting from 20°C to 24°C can reduce electricity usage by up to 24% [2].

The new rule is expected to have a cumulative effect on energy consumption, with a study by the University of California, Berkeley, suggesting that India could potentially avoid spending Rs 7.5 trillion ($88 billion) on new power infrastructure by cutting peak demand by up to 60 gigawatts by 2035 [3].

Manufacturers will need to adjust their systems to comply with the new standards. This may involve reprogramming or software updates, but the government has assured that these changes will not result in additional costs being passed on to consumers [4].

The implementation of this new rule is crucial for India's energy efficiency and sustainability goals. It reflects the government's commitment to responsible energy use and reducing the burden on the national power grid, especially during peak hours.

References:

[1] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/government-may-soon-freeze-ac-limits-cooling-below-20-c-and-heating-above-28-c-could-be-barred-11749624202278.html
[2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/your-acs-minimum-temperature-may-not-go-below-20-degrees-c-if-govt-has-its-way-heres-why-101749569472242.html
[3] https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/indian-government-caps-ac-temperature-20-degrees-to-28-degrees-celsius-10060659/lite/
[4] https://www.ndtvprofit.com/amp/nation/new-ac-temperature-rules-why-is-government-mulling-limiting-ac-cooling-explained