India wants air conditioners to be made with milder temperature settings to save energy

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🗞️ Driving the news: India has proposed mandating that all new air conditioners sold in the country have a minimum temperature setting of 20°C (68°F), aiming to curb soaring electricity demand
• The policy, announced by Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, seeks to cut energy use by roughly 6% for every degree increase in temperature
• With sales of air conditioners accelerating amid rising urban incomes and heatwaves, the measure is intended to address looming power shortages and emissions growth

🔭 The context: Air conditioning has emerged as one of India’s largest drivers of electricity demand, accounting for a quarter of peak load in 2024, according to UC Berkeley estimates
• The country added enough new AC load between 2019 and 2024 to power New Delhi for a year
• India, still heavily reliant on coal for electricity, is also one of the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters despite rapid clean energy expansion
• Past government efforts have included setting minimum temperatures in government offices and promoting energy awareness through campaigns like Mission Life

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The proposal underscores the climate and energy challenges posed by rising cooling demand in developing economies
• Inefficient air conditioners not only strain grids and drive up fossil fuel use but also exacerbate heat-related risks in vulnerable urban areas
• Improving efficiency standards, coupled with behavioural nudges like higher thermostat settings, can deliver meaningful emissions reductions while improving resilience to extreme heat

⏭️ What's next: The proposed rule is expected to take effect soon, though no firm timeline has been announced
• The government is likely to face pressure to strengthen standards beyond thermostat settings, such as mandating higher energy efficiency and phasing out outdated units — 80% of which would already be illegal in China, experts note
• Policymakers are also being urged to pair the rule with better building design, urban greening, and smarter cooling technologies to achieve longer-term sustainability goals

💬 One quote: “Tightening the minimum efficiency standards can change things pretty significantly,” said Nikit Abhyankar, India Energy and Climate Center, University of California, Berkeley.

📈 One stat: India sells between 10–15 million air conditioners annually, and already has an estimated 80 million older, inefficient units in use nationwide

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