Saving electricity in the heat: why 24°C is the smart AC setting

A hot El Niño year pushes up electricity demand. A few settings at home can cut your bill and ease the load on the grid.

24°C is the default (fact). Since 1 January 2020, all star-labelled room air conditioners sold in India must come from the factory set at 24°C, under a Ministry of Power notification made with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). You can still change it.

Each degree counts. BEE estimates that raising the set temperature by 1°C saves about 6% of electricity. Moving from 20°C to 24°C can save about 24%. BEE says 24 to 25°C is comfortable, with the right humidity and air movement.

Myth: a lower setting cools faster. It does not. BEE explains that the thermostat simply stops the compressor once the room reaches the set temperature. At 18°C the compressor runs longer and uses more electricity than at 24°C.

Keep heat out. The Health Ministry's heat advisory says to keep windows and curtains closed during the day, especially on the sunny side, and open them at night to let cooler air in. Using curtains, shutters or sunshades helps.

Why now. BusinessLine reported on 16 October 2026 that, according to the Telangana government, the state's power demand reached 20,000 MW in October, up from 15,000 MW a year earlier.

Join the El Niño help room on soshyal.com to ask questions and share what you see in your area.