In a bold bid to reduce India's escalating energy consumption, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced that the government is drafting a framework to standardise default air conditioner settings to a range of 20°C–28°C. This temperature cap would apply across all new ACs - residential, commercial, and automotive.

Powered by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which is consulting manufacturers and state governments, the regulation aims to prevent ACs from cooling below 20°C or heating above 28°C. Officials note that every 1°C increase in temperature can reduce energy use by around 6%, translating to approximately ₹18,000–20,000 crore in consumer savings over three years .

With India’s peak power demand recently hitting 241 GW, experts warn the move could ease pressure on the grid, trim bills, and cut carbon emissions -supporting long-term sustainability goals . While no final decision or implementation timeline has been announced, the initiative signals a major shift toward climate-conscious cooling practices.

The nation will soon wait to see if this becomes law - and how AC habits may change forever.