On 10 June, while speaking to the press, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar proposed a plan to set a minimum temperature cap of 20°C on air conditioners (both home, and for commercial establishments) moving forward.
”The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C and 28°C, meaning we won't be able to cool below 20°C or warm above 28°C. This is a first-of-its-kind experiment, aiming to standardise temperature settings," he said.
According to the Union Minister, the move is intended to reduce electricity consumption and help manage India’s growing energy demand.
The announcement, however, has sparked mixed reactions.
While many citizens have pushed back against what they see as an unnecessary restriction on their AC usage, several experts have welcomed it as a step in the right direction.
So, what’s driving this plan, and can it really make a difference?
The Quint breaks it down.
Govt Plans to Set 20°C as the Minimum AC Temperature, But Why?
1. Will Capping ACs at 20°C Really Help Save Energy?
Yes, say experts. "Standardising AC thermostats between 20°C and 28°C is a much-needed move for energy conservation," says Rana Veer Pratap Singh, Principal Research Associate, Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy.
According to Singh, increasing the minimum temperature setting on air conditioners can lead to significant benefits. Reducing the overall energy demand from cooling, it can help lower national CO₂ emissions and ease the strain on power grids, especially in densely populated urban areas where AC usage is high during peak summer months.
Neha Dhingra, Director (India) of Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP), an international nonprofit organisation which provides technical and policy support to governments worldwide and works to implement energy efficiency standards, agrees with Singh. She says, "The government’s move to standardise air conditioner temperature settings is a significant illustration of its intent to reduce growing cooling demand."
"Its a step that reflects a growing recognition of the role behavioural change can play in energy conservation."
Neha Dhingra, Director (India), CLASP"It sends a clear signal about the importance of responsible cooling in the face of rising temperatures and increasing electricity demand," she adds.
Expand2. The Announcement Faces Backlash
Not everyone is on board with the government's proposed move, though. Several citizens took to social media to voice their disapproval.
On X (formerly Twitter), users criticised the policy. One X user said, "Why is the government meddling in my choice to set my AC to 16°C? Everyone has unique cooling needs—how can they enforce a one-size-fits-all rule?"
Comedian and writer Varun Grover too weighed in, saying, "I know a lot of people are saying this is a step to save the environment and already implemented in first world countries. Do those countries have 45 Celsius heatwaves? A 20 degree setting might not work in many states."
Many argued that with temperatures soaring each year, the government should prioritise making cooling systems more affordable and widely accessible, rather than introducing what some called "first world" policies that overlook local realities.
Experts The Quint spoke to acknowledged that these are valid concerns—and there is an urgent need for stronger and more accessible cooling infrastructure as cooling is no longer a luxury, but has become a necessity.
At the same time, they emphasise that setting ACs to lower temperatures doesn’t offer the benefits many assume it does, and may do little to address the core issues.
Expand3. How AC Cooling Works
"Firstly, you need to understand how ACs operate," says Abinash Mohanty, Sector Head for Climate Change & Sustainability at IPE Global.
"You plug in your AC and the machine draws electrical energy into cool air using a compressor. So, the lower the temperature, the more energy is required. But lower temperature doesn't mean the AC is producing cooler air."
Many people mistakenly believe that lowering the AC setting changes the temperature of the air being blown out. But that's not actually how air conditioners work.
In reality, the temperature you set on the AC simply indicates the target room temperature or the point at which the AC will stop cooling.
For instance, if it’s 40°C outside and you set your AC to 24°C, the unit will need to work continuously, possibly for hours, to bring the room down to that temperature.
Setting it even lower, like 18°C, doesn’t speed up the cooling process. It just sets a lower target. The rate at which the room cools remains roughly the same. In fact, doing so only puts more strain on the machine, while consuming more energy.
Which means that restricting the temperature on an AC will help conserve energy, "that much is scientifically evident," says Mohanty.
Expand4. 'A Good Start, but Need a Broader Strategy'
While experts agree that setting a minimum AC temperature is a positive move, they also underscore that it cannot function as a standalone solution, especially amid India’s rapidly increasing demand for cooling.
Last year alone, over 14 million air conditioners were sold across the country, according to an AFP report. While these units bring much-needed comfort during the country’s intensifying heatwaves, their growing use comes with a significant environmental cost.
The report also said that AC ownership in India is projected to increase ninefold by mid-century. This surge will further strain energy systems and accelerate greenhouse gas emissions unless complemented by sustainable policy interventions.
Mohanty also points out that the night temperatures have been steadily going up, increasing the usage of ACs for longer hours.
So, he says, "while regulating temperature is a welcome step, the change must be holistic."
Dhingra agrees, adding "It should be seen as one part of a broader, integrated approach to managing India’s cooling needs.”
She further expands on this, saying, "Complementary efforts such as strengthening efficiency standards for air conditioners, accelerating the adoption of high-efficiency models, and enabling smart electricity use through demand response technologies will be critical in managing the growing cooling demand."
Experts also caution that while the 20°C cap may improve energy efficiency, it does not address the deeper, paradoxical loop where excessive AC use contributes to rising outdoor temperatures, creating even greater demand for cooling. This trend also risks exacerbating climate injustice — the unequal burden of climate impacts and access to solutions.
"So we should really be aiming to reduce dependency on ACs in the long run, not just regulating usage," says Mohanty.
“A large section of our population cannot afford even basic cooling like fans or air coolers. We've contributed so significantly to climate change that extreme heat has become the new normal, but access to relief isn’t equal for everyone.”
Abinash Mohanty“So, while those who can afford ACs must be more aware of sustainable usage, we must also tackle the larger issue which is to implement measures like using more thermal conductive building material that will help us reduce AC dependency, ” concludes Mohanty.
Expand
Will Capping ACs at 20°C Really Help Save Energy?
Yes, say experts. "Standardising AC thermostats between 20°C and 28°C is a much-needed move for energy conservation," says Rana Veer Pratap Singh, Principal Research Associate, Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy.
According to Singh, increasing the minimum temperature setting on air conditioners can lead to significant benefits. Reducing the overall energy demand from cooling, it can help lower national CO₂ emissions and ease the strain on power grids, especially in densely populated urban areas where AC usage is high during peak summer months.
Neha Dhingra, Director (India) of Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP), an international nonprofit organisation which provides technical and policy support to governments worldwide and works to implement energy efficiency standards, agrees with Singh. She says, "The government’s move to standardise air conditioner temperature settings is a significant illustration of its intent to reduce growing cooling demand."
"Its a step that reflects a growing recognition of the role behavioural change can play in energy conservation."Neha Dhingra, Director (India), CLASP
"It sends a clear signal about the importance of responsible cooling in the face of rising temperatures and increasing electricity demand," she adds.
The Announcement Faces Backlash
Not everyone is on board with the government's proposed move, though. Several citizens took to social media to voice their disapproval.
On X (formerly Twitter), users criticised the policy. One X user said, "Why is the government meddling in my choice to set my AC to 16°C? Everyone has unique cooling needs—how can they enforce a one-size-fits-all rule?"
Comedian and writer Varun Grover too weighed in, saying, "I know a lot of people are saying this is a step to save the environment and already implemented in first world countries. Do those countries have 45 Celsius heatwaves? A 20 degree setting might not work in many states."
Many argued that with temperatures soaring each year, the government should prioritise making cooling systems more affordable and widely accessible, rather than introducing what some called "first world" policies that overlook local realities.
Experts The Quint spoke to acknowledged that these are valid concerns—and there is an urgent need for stronger and more accessible cooling infrastructure as cooling is no longer a luxury, but has become a necessity.
At the same time, they emphasise that setting ACs to lower temperatures doesn’t offer the benefits many assume it does, and may do little to address the core issues.
How AC Cooling Works
"Firstly, you need to understand how ACs operate," says Abinash Mohanty, Sector Head for Climate Change & Sustainability at IPE Global.
"You plug in your AC and the machine draws electrical energy into cool air using a compressor. So, the lower the temperature, the more energy is required. But lower temperature doesn't mean the AC is producing cooler air."
Many people mistakenly believe that lowering the AC setting changes the temperature of the air being blown out. But that's not actually how air conditioners work.
In reality, the temperature you set on the AC simply indicates the target room temperature or the point at which the AC will stop cooling.
For instance, if it’s 40°C outside and you set your AC to 24°C, the unit will need to work continuously, possibly for hours, to bring the room down to that temperature.
Setting it even lower, like 18°C, doesn’t speed up the cooling process. It just sets a lower target. The rate at which the room cools remains roughly the same. In fact, doing so only puts more strain on the machine, while consuming more energy.
Which means that restricting the temperature on an AC will help conserve energy, "that much is scientifically evident," says Mohanty.
'A Good Start, but Need a Broader Strategy'
While experts agree that setting a minimum AC temperature is a positive move, they also underscore that it cannot function as a standalone solution, especially amid India’s rapidly increasing demand for cooling.
Last year alone, over 14 million air conditioners were sold across the country, according to an AFP report. While these units bring much-needed comfort during the country’s intensifying heatwaves, their growing use comes with a significant environmental cost.
The report also said that AC ownership in India is projected to increase ninefold by mid-century. This surge will further strain energy systems and accelerate greenhouse gas emissions unless complemented by sustainable policy interventions.
Mohanty also points out that the night temperatures have been steadily going up, increasing the usage of ACs for longer hours.
So, he says, "while regulating temperature is a welcome step, the change must be holistic."
Dhingra agrees, adding "It should be seen as one part of a broader, integrated approach to managing India’s cooling needs.”
She further expands on this, saying, "Complementary efforts such as strengthening efficiency standards for air conditioners, accelerating the adoption of high-efficiency models, and enabling smart electricity use through demand response technologies will be critical in managing the growing cooling demand."
Experts also caution that while the 20°C cap may improve energy efficiency, it does not address the deeper, paradoxical loop where excessive AC use contributes to rising outdoor temperatures, creating even greater demand for cooling. This trend also risks exacerbating climate injustice — the unequal burden of climate impacts and access to solutions.
"So we should really be aiming to reduce dependency on ACs in the long run, not just regulating usage," says Mohanty.
“A large section of our population cannot afford even basic cooling like fans or air coolers. We've contributed so significantly to climate change that extreme heat has become the new normal, but access to relief isn’t equal for everyone.”Abinash Mohanty
“So, while those who can afford ACs must be more aware of sustainable usage, we must also tackle the larger issue which is to implement measures like using more thermal conductive building material that will help us reduce AC dependency, ” concludes Mohanty.