Sub: Temperature regulation in- air conditioners
Sanjeev Goyal
MOEAF/E/2024/0002021
Sub: Temperature regulation in- air conditioners
It is well-recognized that natural resources worldwide are being overexploited and heavily strained by human activities. While some countries impose penalties for wasting resources, India lacks similar regulations for the wastage or overutilization of natural resources. In our country, if one can afford the bills, there are virtually no constraints on the quantity of water used for car washing or swimming, or the extent of electricity consumed for leisure.
The low cost of water encourages neglect of leaks, and air conditioners are often kept running 24/7 at unreasonably low temperatures. Refrigerators may operate even when empty, and substantial amounts of food are bought and wasted. Currently, there are no parameters or penalties in place to curb such wasteful practices.
In a past address to the Indian diaspora in Denmark, the Prime Minister emphasized that the consumption of natural resources should be based on need rather than financial capacity. This principle should be applied universally. For instance, in Germany, exceeding set standards for leftover food is considered an offense.
As a society, we must adopt similar measures. One immediate area for improvement is the use of air conditioners (ACs), which are often misused in homes, hotels, commercial spaces, and especially public offices. These systems are frequently set at excessively low temperatures and left running even when rooms are unoccupied. Centralized AC systems, in particular, exacerbate this problem, as switching off becomes less common.
Lowering the temperature of an AC increases electricity consumption and environmental emissions. AC units should not be treated as luxury items. To mitigate this issue, it is proposed that all AC units must have a fixed minimum starting temperature of 24 degrees Celsius, as is practiced in whole of Japan. Despite the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) recommending a temperature of 24 degrees, adherence to this guideline is rare.
Our cities are increasingly becoming heat islands. Higher temperatures lead to increased AC usage, which in turn leads to more emissions, creating a damaging cycle. Reducing the temperature by just one degree increases power consumption by 6%. With the projected nine fold increase in AC usage over the next 20 years, the environmental threat is substantial.
Recommendations from BEE are insufficient; mandatory regulations are required. Previous petitions on this issue have not received a response. We must ask: for which day the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) is waiting for?
I urge for prompt action on this critical issue.
Sanjeev Goyal
PRSEC/E/2025/0035044
Concerned Department: Ministry of Power.
Grievance: Regulations for setting AC temperature.
The escalating use of air conditioners poses a significant environmental threat, as each degree reduction in temperature directly correlates with increased power consumption. Japan, recognizing this, mandates a minimum AC temperature of 24 degrees. Biologically, the comfortable temperature range for humans is generally 24-26 degrees Celsius, with minor individual variations.
The Ministry of Power is now considering pre-setting individual AC units to a temperature range of 20-28 degrees. However, even considering India's diverse climate, a more environmentally conscious minimum of 22 degrees Celsius for individual cooling units may be adopted. With approximately 10 crore AC units currently in use and growing at 15% annually, a single-degree adjustment can yield substantial energy savings. Given our deteriorating environmental conditions, such a responsible approach is crucial.
Furthermore, regulations are urgently needed for centrally cooled premises as well. Venues like meeting halls and party halls consume vast amounts of electricity, often set to excessively low temperatures by housekeeping staff who believe 'cooler is better.' This common issue leads to unnecessary energy waste and discomfort.
Therefore, we urge the Ministry to establish a standardized temperature range of 22-28 degrees Celsius for both individual and central cooling systems."
Chandrashekhar Kaushik
Contact : +12023618836(USA) /+91-9560960404 (India)
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Sanjeev Goyal
PRSEC/E/2025/0043721
सम्बंधित मंत्रालय : ऊर्जा दक्षता ब्यूरो, विद्युत् मंत्रालय
ऊर्जा दक्षता के सम्बन्ध में कृपया अपने पत्र संख्या BEE/S&L/gr/2025/2405 दिनांक ११/०७/२०२५ (MPOWR/E/2025/0002174) का सन्दर्भ ग्रहण करें. अत्यंत खेद का विषय है की समाचार पत्रों में छपी खबर के अनुसार वातानुकूलन यंत्रों की ऊर्जा दक्षता बढ़ाने हेतु मंत्रालय द्वारा विचाराधीन तापमान नियमन के विचार का त्याग कर दिया गया है. यह केवल ऊर्जा दक्षता नहीं अपितु उससे कहीं अधिक महत्त्वपूर्ण वातावरण के संरक्षण से जुड़ा मुद्दा है । इस क्षेत्र में वर्षों के बाद तो कुछ आशा बंधी थी उसे भी अब दर-किनार कर दिया गया है. इस विषय में अनुरोध है की इस प्रस्ताव के निरस्तीकरण से सम्बंधित सम्पूर्ण सूचना व् परिस्थितियों जिनके अंतर्गत मंत्रालय को विवश हो कर इस प्रस्ताव को ठंडे बस्ते में डालना पड़ा तथ्यों सहित जनता को प्रदान की जाए.
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