The government is planning to will consider making 24 degrees celsius as mandatory default setting for air conditioners within a few months.
In a statement, Power Minister R K Singh in a meeting addressed the AC markers to label indicating the optimum temperature setting for the benefits of consumers both from financial and their health points of view, in a statement. The temperatures settings in ACs will be in the range of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.
He further said, ‘Every one degree increase in the air-conditioner temperature setting results in saving of 6 per cent of electricity consumed. Normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degrees celsius, but large number of commercial establishments, hotels and offices maintain temperature around 18-21 degrees celsius. This is not only uncomfortable but is actually unhealthy. He was of the view that setting the temperature in the range of 18 to 21 degrees celsius compels people to wear warm clothing or use blankets; therefore, this is actually wastage of energy.
Singh launched a campaign to promote energy efficiency in the area of air-conditioning.