As the government explores setting a minimum AC temperature, industry leaders are divided—some back the move for energy savings, while others emphasise comfort, climate diversity, and smarter cooling solutions

As India enters another summer of rising temperatures, a policy debate is quietly gaining momentum — should there be a nationwide cap on how low air conditioners can be set? Officials argue that by making temperature controls mandatory rather than advisory, peak electricity demand could be eased and costly power outages avoided.

Earlier, union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar suggested regulating AC settings to an ideal range of 23 to 24 degree Celsius (°C) to save energy. He said that the practice is already adopted in countries like Japan and aims to reduce energy consumption and mitigate the environmental impact caused by excessive cooling. The current scenario, where air conditioners can be set as low as 16°C, often leads people to use blankets or even wear sweaters indoors, officials argue. This, the government believe, is a paradoxical and unnecessary waste of energy.

The idea follows earlier guidelines that recommended 24°C as the default setting for ACs in public spaces— a move aimed at nudging more responsible use. Now, the discussion is around whether a minimum limit should be enforced more widely as in the US, states like California have enforced limits on lowering the air condition beyond 26°C.

What If Default Becomes The Minimum?
Vishal Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Efficiency Services or EESL, believes that cooling at 24°C is not just about comfort- it is a national energy strategy waiting to be mainstreamed. At this temperature, the body feels at ease without the dryness or excessive chill of lower settings.

He added, “Technically, setting the AC at 24°C reduces compressor strain, cuts energy use by nearly 6 per cent per degree raised, and extends appliance life. More importantly, if widely adopted, a 24°C lower limit could help India avoid building over 100 new power plants by 2035, reduce peak load stress, and boost grid resilience.”

Comfort Or Excess?
While India already has a guideline in place for a 24°C default setting in public and commercial buildings, the new conversation is about setting a hard lower limit – potentially 24°C or slightly below- for ACs across the board.

Industry players are watching the move closely. Many agree that energy-efficient behaviour must go hand-in-hand with efficient appliances, but warn that restrictive controls could alienate users who want flexibility in managing their indoor climate. One challenge, manufacturers point out, is India’s diverse climate. Regions with high humidity or extreme heat may require more flexible settings. A one-size-fits-all lower limit, they argue, could frustrate users and limit innovation.

“There is growing awareness around responsible cooling, and product design today supports that. But setting a blanket lower limit may not suit all geographies or personal comfort levels,” said Kamal Nandi, Business Head and EVP, Appliances Business, Godrej Enterprises Group.

A Positive Push For Efficiency?
Not everyone in the industry is averse to the idea. Girish Hingorani, Vice President, Marketing (Cooling and Purification Appliances) & Corporate Communications, at Blue Star, believes a lower temperature limit could align with global trends and reinforce sustainability. He stated that it would be a good move and added that the talks that are going on with the industry and the government about whether an air conditioner can be allowed to be set below 20°C.

He stated, “ That means no air conditioner can be allowed to be set below 20 degrees. So that is a good move because that will actually save not only energy for the entire country, it will also help the consumer save energy.”

Manufacturers say the answer lies in technology and informed choices rather than only hard caps. Several brands already offer inverter ACs with adaptive modes that optimise energy use based on room conditions. Features like energy usage displays, eco-modes, and AI-enabled temperature balancing are increasingly common in the market.

Industry voices favour a nationwide campaign to promote cooling behaviour that balances comfort and conservation. Hingorani highlighted that another overlooked energy-saving innovation is the use of alloy condensers. “Alloy condensers are far more energy efficient than copper ones. The only downside is that they can not be repaired like copper, but brands, including Blue Star, have offered five-year warranties to address that concern. Still, consumer preference leans toward copper,” he added. He appealed that, as an industry, we need to educate users about the efficiency benefits of alloy.

Kamal Nandi, Godrej Appliances, echoed the same. While acknowledging the government’s energy-saving intent he suggested that Instead of hard caps, the government should double down on awareness campaigns, nudges, and smart design features that encourage responsible usage without limiting flexibility.