India’s plan to regulate air conditioner temperature settings between 20°C and 28°C has been broadly welcomed by the cooling appliances industry, with leading players like LG, Blue Star, and Elista calling it a rational, timely move aimed at reducing energy consumption and correcting long-standing misconceptions around cooling habits.
Manufacturers welcome the move
The regulation, proposed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), is expected to apply to new AC models once the official gazette notification is issued. For now, manufacturers say the change is not only technically feasible but also aligned with global practices. According to executives across brands, the move has the potential to reduce unnecessary electricity load, especially during peak summer months, without compromising on consumer comfort.
In a statement to MySmartPrice, LG Electronics India said the policy reflects a maturing energy landscape. “This progressive step places India among a select group of nations committed to responsible energy use. The regulation brings a threefold benefit—enhancing product longevity and performance, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting the health and well-being of consumers,” the company said, adding that it expects greater consumer awareness around optimal temperature settings as a result.
Elista, a relatively newer entrant in the Indian AC market, also aligned itself with the government’s thinking, calling the proposal “forward-thinking” and “in line with our vision of responsible innovation.” The company said it is already working on new models that operate efficiently within the suggested range and include smart preset modes to nudge consumers toward ideal usage. “We’re also investing in customer education through app-based guidance and built-in interfaces that highlight the energy implications of user decisions,” a company spokesperson noted.
Efficient cooling, lower energy costs
At Blue Star, the change is seen as a technically simple, policy-driven correction to what has largely been a behavioural issue. “There’s a common misconception that setting an AC to 16°C cools the room faster,” said Girish Hingorani, Vice President – Marketing (Cooling and Purification Appliances) and Corporate Communications. “In reality, whether the thermostat is at 16°C or 20°C, the compressor runs at full capacity until the setpoint is reached. What changes is how much electricity is consumed in the process.”
Hingorani explained that this belief often leads to excessive cooling and unnecessary energy use, especially when consumers fall asleep and don’t adjust the settings. “People walk in from 45°C heat, set the AC to 18°C thinking it’ll cool faster, but they’re already asleep by the time the room hits that temperature. Then they wake up cold and reach for a blanket.” He emphasizes that the comfort range of 22°C–24°C is scientifically sound, and this regulation will nudge users in the right direction and will result in the saving of electricity.
From a manufacturing perspective, Hingorani dismissed concerns around cost or disruption. “It’s just a software update. No hardware changes are needed. We update the minimum temperature in the indoor unit’s PCB and remote from 16°C to 20°C. Once the notification is out, this will be implemented in the new inventory. Existing models will continue as-is.”
While the policy is broadly welcomed, there’s consensus that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t apply in a country as climatically diverse as India. Elista said it plans to retain manual override options and is working on geo-sensitive cooling modes tuned to local weather patterns.
Despite this, major brands agree that the government’s intent—to reduce grid load and push more energy-aware cooling behaviour—is both necessary and achievable. Blue Star and Elista said they are also doubling down on AI-based adaptive cooling and IoT-enabled monitoring systems that allow for room-specific temperature adjustments, predictive maintenance, and real-time energy tracking. This is also seen in all the new launches from Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Lloyd this year.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has not yet confirmed when the guidelines will become mandatory, but the groundwork is already being laid. The industry appears to be not only on board but also using the opportunity to accelerate innovation around smart cooling and sustainable design.
Earlier this year, MySmartPrice had reported on the government’s intent to push for default AC temperature regulation. That story can be read here.
As one industry insider put it, “The era of blasting the AC to 16°C and forgetting about it is over. Intelligent cooling is not just about luxury anymore—it’s about necessity.”
