The Indian government has decided to put a cap on the minimum temperature setting of air conditioners at 20 degrees Celsius. Yes, you read that right! In a country with over 1.4 billion people, where summer heat can be brutal, the lowest allowed temperature on new AC units will now be 20 degrees. Previously, thermostats could be set as low as 17 degrees, but due to massive electricity consumption, the authorities have stepped in. Manohar Lal Katar, India’s Minister of Energy, explained that every degree lower on the AC thermostat saves about 6% of energy. Considering India sells between 10 to 15 million air conditioners annually, this move could lead to significant power savings. But is this just cold math, or will millions of Indians now suffer in their own homes? Reactions are mixed – some applaud the energy savings, while others wonder how they’ll survive scorching days without the ability to cool rooms below 20 degrees. This decision comes amid rapid urbanization and rising air temperatures, meaning demand for ACs is only going up. The new regulation will come into effect soon, though the exact date is still unknown. Is this the start of a new era where energy conservation comes at the cost of personal comfort? Or just the first step toward a more sustainable future? Either way, brace yourself for heat waves and maybe a little more sweat. What do you think – smart move or pure torture? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s cooling off and who’s heating up over this “chill” policy!
