RK Singh Launches Campaign to Promote Energy Efficiency

“Normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degree Celsius, but large number of commercial establishments, hotels and offices maintain temperature around 18-21 degree Celsius,” Singh said.

In a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emission, the Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R.K Singh has launched a campaign in New Delhi to promote the energy efficiency in the area of air-conditioning.

Speaking on the matter, the Minister said, “Every one degree increase in the air-conditioner temperature setting results in saving of 6 percent of electricity consumed. Normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degree Celsius, but large number of commercial establishments, hotels and offices maintain temperature around 18-21 degree Celsius.”

“This is not only uncomfortable but is actually unhealthy. Setting the temperature in the range of 18-21 degree Celsius compels people to wear warm clothing or use blankets; therefore, this is actually wastage of energy.  Some countries like Japan have put in place regulation to keep the temperature at 28 degree Celsius,” he added.

Also, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency after a study recommended that the default setting in the air-conditioning should be at 24 degree Celsius.

Moreover, the Power Ministry will issue an advisory to all establishments and manufacturers.

Also, Singh held meeting with major air-conditioner manufacturers where they were advised to keep the default setting of ACs at 24 degree Celsius and also to carry out labelling indicating the optimum temperature setting for the benefits of consumers both from financial and their health points of view.

These temperatures setting will be in the range of 24-26 degree Celsius.

The Ministry of Power said in a statement that, after an awareness campaign of 4-6 months, followed by a survey to gather public feedback, it would consider making this mandatory.

If all the consumers adopt, this will result in savings of 20 billion units of electricity in a single year alone, it added.