Power ministry may make 24 degrees celsius as default setting for air conditioners

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NEW DELHI: Power minister RK Singh said on Friday that the government will consider making 24 degrees celsius as mandatory default setting for air conditioners within a few months.
At a meeting with the minister, AC makers were also advised to have labelling indicating the optimum temperature setting for the benefits of consumers both from financial and their health points of view, the power ministry said in a statement.
The temperatures settings in ACs will be in the range of 24 to 26 degrees celsius, it said.
Singh launched a campaign to promote energy efficiency in the area of air-conditioning.
"Every one degree increase in the air-conditioner temperature setting results in saving of 6 per cent of electricity consumed," the statement quoted him as saying.
He added: "Normal human body temperature is approximately 36-37 degrees celsius, but large number of commercial establishments, hotels and offices maintain temperature around 18-21 degrees celsius. This is not only uncomfortable but is actually unhealthy."