Why you might not to able to lower your AC temperatures below 20°C in India

Air conditioners in India may soon be limited to cooling only up to 20 degrees Celsius and heating no more than 28 degrees Celsius.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Tuesday that the government is preparing to bring in a fixed temperature range for ACs.

The Centre’s new rule will apply to all air conditioners, whether used at home or in workplaces.

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Many countries have already brought in similar limits, either through official orders or public guidelines, especially in offices and public spaces where power use is high.

In this explainer, we look at what the government is planning, why this change is coming, what it means for people in India, and how it lines up with rules in other countries.

Let’s take a look:

What is the new plan? How will it work?

At a press briefing held in New Delhi, the Union Minister said, “Regarding air conditioning standards, a new provision is being implemented soon. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, meaning we won’t be able to cool below 20°C or warm above 28°C.”

“This is a first-of-its-kind experiment, aiming to standardise temperature settings,” he added.

At present, people usually set their air conditioners between 20°C and 22°C. However, the ideal comfort level, according to standard guidelines, is between 24°C and 26°C.

The plan will be rolled out shortly, with checks in place to see how well it works. The aim is to encourage consistent use of ACs and cut down the high electricity usage caused by extremely low cooling settings.

The Centre’s order will fix the temperature range for all air conditioners, whether at home or in businesses. This means that once the rule takes effect, users would not be able to drop the cooling below 20°C or raise the heating past 28°C.

Right now, many ACs sold in the market allow temperatures as low as 16°C or 18°C and heating options that go up to 30°C.

Under the new rule, manufacturers will have to either update the software or change how the devices are programmed to follow the 20°C–28°C limit.

While the government has said the change will be watched closely, details on how it will be enforced across different sectors are yet to be shared.

Why did the government take this step?

This move is meant to manage how energy is used in homes and offices, especially as India faces growing electricity demand and more frequent, severe heat waves.

Union Minister Khattar called it a “bold step” to tackle the habit of using air conditioners at very low temperatures, which leads to a lot of power being used.

The numbers behind the decision are strong. Even a one-degree rise in AC temperature can lower energy use by about 6%. If the country sets the minimum temperature at 20°C, officials believe it could save up to 3 gigawatts of peak demand, Pankaj Agarwal, the ministry’s top official, told Hindustan Times.

This change also fits into a wider national push for using energy in a more balanced way. As more people from the middle class buy air conditioners and cities grow, electricity use is rising sharply during the summer months.

Running ACs at very low temperatures puts huge pressure on the power supply system.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) said most people in India tend to set their ACs at 20–21°C, lower than needed for basic comfort.

This not only increases power bills but also leads to more pollution, as much of India’s electricity still comes from coal-based plants.

By setting a lower limit of 20°C for cooling and 28°C for heating, the government wants to make ACs more efficient, reduce the pressure on the electricity grid, lower emissions, and shift how people think about using cooling systems.

The aim is not just to change how machines work, but to change how people use them, encouraging smarter, more responsible choices.

A study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that tougher energy-saving rules for ACs could help India avoid 60 gigawatts of extra electricity demand by 2035. This could also save up to 7.5 trillion rupees ($88 billion) in the cost of building new power plants and grid systems.

How will it impact Indian consumers? How much electricity will you save?

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has been pushing for better air conditioning habits for years. Their data shows that raising the AC temperature by just one degree can cut power use by around 6%.

That means going from 20°C to 24°C could save up to 24% in energy use.

Over the course of one summer, this could lead to much lower electricity bills and take a big load off the power grid.

Many people may not realise that cooling a room to 16°C in a hot, humid country like India is unnecessary, and not great for your health.

Experts say the best temperature for comfort indoors is between 24°C and 26°C, especially when you account for humidity, fresh air, and regular indoor clothing.

These new rules, then, match closely with actual comfort levels. They do not force people to feel too warm; they just push for more sensible, healthier use of air conditioners.

What health experts are saying

While the move is largely focused on climate and energy concerns, health experts point out that it could also have real benefits for the body, especially during the harsh summer months when many rely heavily on air conditioners for relief.

Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, told India Today that setting air conditioners at very low temperatures can interfere with the body’s natural ability to manage heat.

“When you’re sitting in a very cold environment and then suddenly step outside into 44 or 45 degrees, your body experiences a temperature shock… This transition can trigger colds, fatigue, or even stress the internal organs,” he told the publication.

Though the government’s guideline fixes the minimum setting at 20°C, Dr Chatterjee advises going a bit higher. For most people, he recommends keeping the AC temperature between 22°C and 24°C.

How India’s plan compares to global norms

India’s move to fix air conditioner settings between 20°C and 28°C follows a global pattern where many countries are trying to control indoor cooling to save energy and reduce emissions. Some have made these rules official, while others treat them as strong recommendations.

Italy has set a minimum of 25°C for cooling in public buildings like schools and post offices. This step was taken to cut down on energy use and emissions in line with EU climate goals.

In Japan, the Ministry of Environment advises keeping air conditioners at 28°C during the summer, especially in workplaces. Though not a law, this is supported by public awareness drives and is accepted widely in corporate settings.

In the United States, there is no fixed rule, but the Energy Star programme suggests keeping air conditioners at 25.5°C (78°F) when people are home. These guidelines are backed by incentives and campaigns led by power companies.

China has made it compulsory to set the cooling at no less than 26°C in government offices during summer. Non-compliance can result in penalties, at least in public buildings.
Spain took a stronger approach in 2022. It passed a law requiring public places, offices, and commercial buildings to maintain cooling at no lower than 27°C. This was part of a larger plan to cut energy use and address the rising cost of power.

Australia does not set limits on thermostat settings. Instead, it focuses on how efficient the AC units are. Through its Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), only devices that meet energy-saving rules can be sold. While offices and state guidelines often suggest keeping the temperature between 22°C and 24°C, these are not enforced by law.

In Belgium, public buildings are required by law to keep cooling at no less than 27°C in summer and heating capped at 19°C in winter. This is part of a national push to use energy more responsibly.

Compared to these examples, India’s 20°C to 28°C range gives more room for adjustment. While countries like Spain and China focus only on public spaces, India’s rule is expected to apply across homes, businesses, and industries.

In doing so, India is not only following global trends but also aiming to take it a step further by setting a uniform rule that reaches all users and encourages a long-term shift in how cooling is used.