Govt working on draft framework to standardise default temperatures of air conditioners: Union Power Minister Manohar Lal

BEE working on standardizing AC temperatures to improve energy efficiency, consultations ongoing with appliance makers and states.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday (June 10, 2025) said the government is working on a framework to standardise the default temperatures of air conditioners, including those in automobiles, in the range of 20 to 28 Degrees Celsius.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday (June 10, 2025), Mr. Lal said the government is in talks with appliance makers and States on the subject to standardise AC temperatures.

"Consultations are going on and once it's over, guidelines will be finalised accordingly. Some states have requested to consider the humidity they have while making the guidelines," Mr. Lal said without sharing further details.

Asked if ACs in cars will also have such standardised temperatures, the Minister said the government is in consultation with automakers as well.

The announcement comes at a time when India's peak power demand has been rising and hit 241 GW on June 9.

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said the move is aimed at improving energy efficiency in the country. Reduction of even 1 degree helps saving 6% of energy. "There are crores of ACs in the country and every year new ones are getting inducted. So you can imagine the savings," he said.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is engaged in preparing a framework to standardise default temperatures of air conditioners in the range of 20 to 28 Degrees Celsius to improve energy efficiency in the country.