Experts, green activists hail move to fix default AC temp

Sushmita K, a city-based techie, carries a shawl to her office – an MNC, where the central air-conditioning means that it gets unusually cold. 

“The AC temperature is always around 18-20 degrees Celsius, making it extremely cold. I also develop a cold and severe ear pain due to this,” said the 26-year-old, welcoming this move. A study by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, recommends the default setting in the airconditioning should be 24 degrees Celsius, announced Power Minister RK Singh, who added that an advisory will be sent to all establishments and manufacturers. 

“Every 1 degree increase in the air-conditioner temperature setting results in saving of 6 per cent of electricity consumed. Normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degrees Celsius. But a large number of commercial establishments, hotels and offices maintain temperature around 18-21 degrees Celsius. This is not only uncomfortable but is unhealthy and a waste of energy,” said the minister. 

K Vishnu Mohan Rao, Senior Researcher, CAG said that this was a positive move. 

“The lower the temperature of the air conditioner, the more electricity it will consume. A streamlined advisory should be put out for the residents, giving them points on optimising the use of their air conditioner. 

For instance, in addition to setting the default temperature at 24 degrees Celsius, households should be encouraged to use fans along with the AC and switch off the latter after a few hours. In most commercial establishments, the air conditioner setting is between 20-22 degrees Celsius, making the space uncomfortably cold. This shouldn’t be the case,” he added. 

According to a study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New-Delhi based research and advocacy organisation, almost up to 50 per cent of electricity used during summer in Delhi is consumed only for cooling. 

ACs can use up 80 per cent of the household electricity budget. Another study revealed that 5-star ACs consume — on an average — 20 per cent more energy than their labelling when outdoor temperatures hit 45°C, a common occurrence in northern India. It also noted that their cooling capacity dropped by 13-15 per cent. 

Terming the regulation of default setting as a “step in the right direction, CSE pointed out that globally, indoor temperature settings have been regulated.