A recent announcement by the Indian Power Ministry to determine the default setting of air conditioners (AC) has evoked sharp reactions among the citizens.
The Indian government wants the default temperature setting of ACs at 24 degrees Celsius, reports the Hindustan Times.
People are flipping out, freaking out, and crying “authoritarianism” at the drop of a hat. A number of people, quite a large number in fact, seem to be oblivious to the fact that a “default” setting can be changed.
The government will issue an advisory to all establishments and manufacturers. The targeted commercial buildings will include airports, hotels, shopping malls, officers and government buildings.
After an awareness campaign of 4 to 6 months, followed by a survey to gather public feedback, the Indian Ministry of Power would consider making the default setting mandatory. AC manufacturers have agreed and appreciated it as a step in the right direction.
First the sarkar will control AC temperature settings- to save energy in India
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) June 24, 2018
Then they will control food intake- to be fit in India
Then they will decide bathing days -to save water in India
But when will they stop their non stop prachar - to save hard earned taxpayers money?
Many think that now the government wants to control the temperature of their ACs. But default setting does not necessarily mean absolute control. It can be changed by the user. The ACs will come with an advisory that will suggest how much temperature is good for saving energy and environment and keeping yourself healthy. The advisory will suggest temperature settings in ACs should be in the range of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, according to the Economic Times.
The Economic Times says India Power Minister RK Singh, every degree increase in the AC temperature setting results in a saving of 6% of electricity consumed.
27 degrees Celsius may have been practical for Japan's climate. 24 degrees Celsius is NOT practical for us. Not in North India during heat wave. Imagine similar heat wave conditions as now, where u won't even be able to adjust your AC temperature. https://t.co/74dbMIKMVy
— Priyanka Sachar (@twilightfairy) June 25, 2018
Normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degree Celsius but a large number of commercial establishments, hotels and offices maintain the temperature around 18-21 degrees. This is not only uncomfortable, but also unhealthy.
In 2015, New York City’s Department of Consumer Affairs had launched the “Shut the Front Door!” social media campaign to check wasteful AC use by getting stores and restaurants to stop blasting their ACs while keeping their doors open . Japan has put in place regulation to keep the AC temperature at 28 degree Celsius.