BEE urges public to set ACs at 24°C to save energy, cut bills, and support sustainability

Setting ACs to 24°C has several benefits, including energy efficiency, cost savings, environmental protection, comfort, and durability. Photo: https://beeindia.gov.in/en

With an aim to promote energy-efficient cooling to tackle rising temperatures and encourage cost-effective air conditioner (AC) usage to benefit both consumers and the environment, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Union Ministry of Power has launched an intensified energy conservation campaign to promote responsible AC usage across the country, with a special focus on cities like Hyderabad.

With the city’s population exceeding 90 lakh and a massive residential and commercial consumer base, Hyderabad has been identified as a key focus city in the energy-saving drive.

According to BEE estimates, increasing the AC temperature setting by just 1°C can reduce electricity usage by up to 6%. If ACs are set at 24°C, up to 20 billion units of electricity can be saved annually, financial savings could touch ₹10,000 crore in the country, and carbon emissions could drop by 8.2 million tonnes per year.

BEE Secretary Milind Deore underscored the need for the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO) to launch a focused awareness campaign targeting homes, offices, malls, hotels, and government buildings in the city. “Hyderabad’s energy consumption pattern directly impacts national power stability and climate targets,” he said, adding that a collective shift to 24°C AC settings could be a game-changer.

Setting ACs to 24°C has several benefits, including energy efficiency, cost savings, environmental protection, comfort, and durability. It cuts electricity use by up to 24% compared to 20°C settings, substantially lowers monthly power bills, and reduces the carbon footprint of households and businesses.

TSREDCO Managing Director V. Aneela said that the agency will take up this initiative on a war footing across Hyderabad and Telangana. BEE has also urged AC manufacturers to set 24°C as the default factory setting for all new air conditioning units.