Power ministry may make 24 degrees celsius as default setting for air conditioners

• The power ministry is considering making the default temperature setting for air conditioners at 24 degrees Celsius. This mandate will benefit consumers, both from a health and financial point of view. The ministry also wants AC manufacturers to add a label on the product indicating the optimum temperature setting for consumers. If the move is approved, it is likely to come into effect in a few months.

What is the reason behind this decision?

• Higher the temperature of the air conditioner, the lesser electricity consumed. This translates to saving at least six per cent of electricity consumed with an increase of just one degree in temperature.
• Every one-degree increase in the air-conditioner temperature setting results in saving of 6 per cent of electricity consumed.
• The normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degrees Celsius, but a large number of commercial establishments maintain a temperature around 18-21 degrees Celsius. This is not only uncomfortable but is unhealthy. Also, wearing warm clothing or using blankets in a colder temperature is a waste of energy.

How will this help India’s power consumption?

• According to BEE, only six per cent of households in the country use air conditioners. If all consumers adopt a default temperature setting, India could save 20 billion units of electricity annually.
• The report states that the current estimate total installed air conditioner capacity is 80 million TR (tonne of refrigerator), which is likely to increase to nearly 250 million TR by 2030. Taking into account the huge demand, India can save around 40 million units of electricity usage per day.

By: Vishal