Netizens React To Centre's Plan To Cap AC Temperatures: 'They’ll Be Regulating Our TV Volume Next'

The Centre is preparing to introduce a new regulation that will impose a limit on the temperature settings of air conditioners across the nation.

If enacted, this policy could significantly alter how millions of Indians use their air conditioning units - whether at home, in hotels, or even in vehicles.

Photo Credit: PTI

The proposal aims to standardise the minimum temperature setting of air conditioners at 20°C, prompting a wave of responses online.

While some have reacted with humour, others are expressing disbelief - and those accustomed to settings as low as 16°C are understandably anxious.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the initiative as part of a broader strategy to curb energy consumption and ease the burden on India's overstretched power grid.

"Regarding air conditioning standards, a new provision is being implemented soon. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C," Khattar stated during an event in Delhi, describing it as a "first-of-its-kind experiment."

Since Khattar's announcement, social media has been abuzz.

One user joked, "One nation, one temperature."

Another commented, "I put it at 24-26. It helps keep the bill low and reduces pressure on the AC."

However, not everyone was amused. "Next thing you know, they'll be regulating our TV volume," quipped one user.

Another sarcastically remarked, "Stop the power supply so they can't use anything, and then the future is green."

The timing of this measure is notable. With Indian summers becoming increasingly unbearable, air conditioning has gone from a luxury to a necessity.

However, setting ACs to extremely low temperatures - sometimes as low as 16°C - places enormous strain on the electricity grid, especially during peak demand periods.

Under the proposed regulation, AC manufacturers will be required to adjust their products - whether by reprogramming hardware or issuing software updates - to comply with the mandated temperature range of 20°C to 28°C.

The policy is not only expected to conserve energy but is also seen as a step towards cutting carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants, which still supply the bulk of India's electricity.

As reported by Bloomberg, senior official Pankaj Agarwal from the power and housing ministries said, "If everyone sets their ACs just 1 degree higher, we can save about 3 gigawatts of power during peak times."

With approximately 100 million air conditioning units currently in operation and an additional 15 million added annually, the collective impact of this regulation could be substantial.

Research from the University of California, Berkeley, estimates that India could potentially avoid spending Rs 7.5 trillion ($88 billion) on new power infrastructure by reducing peak demand by as much as 60 gigawatts by 2035.