India is pushing to cool down its soaring energy consumption—by turning up the thermostat.
The country’s government is proposing a new rule that would require all air conditioners sold in India to have a minimum temperature setting of 20 degrees Celsius (68°F). The move is part of a broader effort to cut electricity use and prevent power shortages in one of the world’s fastest-growing AC markets.
With between 10 to 15 million new units sold annually, the country’s appetite for cooling is surging alongside rising incomes, rapid urbanization, and scorching temperatures that can climb above 50°C (122°F) during peak summer.
India’s current ACs allow settings as low as 17°C (62.6°F), but energy experts say bumping that up by just one degree can save around 6% in energy use. Officials believe this small change, applied at scale, could lead to massive savings.
Still, the proposal has sparked a heated debate.
While energy experts call the rule a step in the right direction, many argue it doesn’t go far enough. Advocates like Professor Nikit Abhyankar of the India Energy and Climate Center at UC Berkeley say India should also tighten efficiency standards for new AC units, many of which are too outdated to even be sold in other countries.
Some residents welcome the change. Sunil Kumar, a tuk-tuk driver in East Delhi, says it might even help reduce fire hazards and electricity bills. Others worry about discomfort during the country’s sweltering summers. In humid Chennai, teacher Vikram Kannan says lower AC temperatures are sometimes the only way to provide relief for his young daughter, who suffers from heat rashes.
Data supports the urgency. Researchers estimate that ACs accounted for a quarter of India’s electricity demand during 2024’s peak usage periods. Between 2019 and 2024, new ACs alone added enough demand to power the entire city of New Delhi for a year.
India’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, especially coal, means higher energy use contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Though renewable energy is on the rise, it’s not growing fast enough to match demand—particularly during nighttime, when cooling needs remain high, and solar energy isn’t an option.
The proposed thermostat rule is part of a broader push that includes prior initiatives such as the Mission Life campaign, which encourages citizens to reduce emissions through everyday actions like turning off unused appliances and reducing car travel.
Experts say smart building design, better ventilation, and combining ACs with ceiling fans could help cool homes more efficiently. Abhyankar adds that even modest changes—like ensuring fans are used alongside ACs—can drastically reduce cooling needs.
With more than 80 million inefficient ACs in use and climate change intensifying India’s heatwaves, the government’s thermostat proposal could be just the beginning of a much-needed cooling revolution.