Regulation of AC Temperature Range

Context

The Union Ministry of Power is considering mandating a fixed temperature range of 20°C to 28°C for new air conditioners (ACs) across households, hotels, and vehicles. This initiative aims to enhance energy efficiency and mitigate health risks associated with excessively low indoor temperatures.

Policy Background and Institutional Involvement:

The proposal is being considered by the Union Ministry of Power in coordination with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
In 2018 and 2021, the Ministry had earlier recommended fixing the default temperature of ACs at 24°C, based on BEE studies.

Energy Conservation Rationale:

Every 1°C increase in AC temperature setting leads to 6% electricity savings.
If all consumers adopt the 24°C default setting, India could potentially save 20 billion units (kWh) of electricity annually.
BEE estimates that the total connected load from ACs will reach 200 GW by 2030, necessitating energy-conscious policy actions.

Technical Mechanism of ACs (Conceptual Angle):

ACs operate on the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle using refrigerants and involve energy-intensive stages such as compression and condensation.
Power consumption is highest during the compression stage, where the refrigerant is compressed to about 90°C.

Health and Environmental Justifications:

Indoor temperatures below 18°C are linked with higher risks of hypertension, respiratory illnesses, and poor mental health.
The WHO (2018 Housing and Health Guidelines) recommend 18°C as the minimum safe indoor temperature in cooler climates.
ASHRAE Standard 55 and ISO 7730 define thermal comfort zones based on factors like clothing, climate, and metabolic heat (?100W).

Global and Regional Cooling Demand:

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) (2018), there were 2 billion AC units globally, with Asia-Pacific still having 43% unmet cooling needs.
Residential AC usage tripled between 2000 and 2022, reaching 1.5 billion units.

Broader Relevance:

The initiative aligns with India’s National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) and contributes toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
It also complements India’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and energy intensity reduction targets under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

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