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Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
In a first, India to standardise air conditioner temperature at 20-28°C
For the first time, India will mandate setting air conditioning (AC) temperatures as low as 20°C and as high as 28°C across all sectors, including cars, amid rising temperatures due to climate change and increasing use of cooling systems, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday. The move is aimed at improving efficiency in cooling and potentially controlling sudden power demand spikes, as well as reducing electricity bills. This means, if the new rule is implemented, ACs which currently operate as low as 16°C or 18°C and as high as 30°C, will be restricted to a minimum of 20°C and a maximum of 28°C. As per the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) mandate in 2020, the default temperature for all room and car ACs must be set at 24°C. This applies to all brands and types of star-labelled ACs, but users can currently adjust settings in the range of 24–25°C in commercial buildings to optimise energy efficiency and comfort. 'We have decided the minimum temperature of ACs will be fixed at 20°C and maximum at 28°C to bring uniformity to air conditioning use and help reduce excessive power consumption due to extremely low cooling settings,' Khattar told reporters. Consultation with line ministries, manufacturers, and the automotive industry is under way. Once complete, guidelines will be issued and implementation will follow accordingly. This paper reported last month that the Centre was considering more stringent efficiency standards for AC manufacturers and a revision to the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER). India has long worked to promote energy conservation and reduce electricity demand, especially during peak summer months. The country witnessed record-high power demand of about 241 GW on Monday as temperatures crossed 45°C in parts of the country, including Delhi. The revised limits are part of a broader policy framework to improve energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. ACs in India often operate below 20°C in homes and offices, leading to higher energy consumption and increased strain on the power grid. With rising temperatures and growing demand for cooling appliances, managing electricity use is becoming a national priority, Khattar said. According to the BEE, most ACs are set between 20°C and 21°C, but the ideal comfort range is 24–25°C. Raising the temperature from 20°C to 24°C can result in about 24 per cent power savings, with each additional 1°C increase saving approximately 6 per cent electricity. If half of India's AC users adopt this, the country could save 10 billion units of electricity annually, reduce bills by ₹5,000 crore, and cut CO₂ emissions by 8.2 million tonnes, making it a highly cost-effective energy efficiency measure. A live survey hosted on the platform invites citizens to share their preferences for ideal AC temperatures. Open until 25 March 2025, the survey aims to understand user habits and expectations around comfort and cost.
News18
3 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Chill Out But Not Too Much: India's ACs To Get New Eco-Friendly Temperature Limits
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced new provisions to soon standardize air conditioning temperatures across India, setting a mandatory operational range between 20°C and 28°C. This means ACs will no longer be allowed to cool below 20 degrees Celsius or heat above 28 degrees Celsius. Manohar Lal Khattar said, 'A new provision is being implemented soon regarding air conditioning standards. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, which means we will not be able to cool below 20°C or heat above 28°C." He termed the decision a bold step towards energy efficiency, adding, 'We have decided the minimum temperature of ACs will be fixed at 20 degrees Celsius and maximum at 28 degrees Celsius." The implementation will commence soon, with monitoring planned to assess effectiveness and achieve uniformity in AC use, ultimately reducing excessive power consumption from extremely low cooling settings. India has consistently worked to promote energy conservation and reduce electricity demand, particularly during peak summer months as the minister highlighted that these revised limits are part of a broader policy framework aimed at enhancing residential and commercial energy efficiency. Currently, many ACs in Indian homes and offices operate below 20°C, leading to higher energy consumption and increased pressure on the national power grid. What New Rules Could Mean For AC Users? Once implemented, the new regulations will restrict the operational range of air conditioners. ACs that currently allow cooling down to 16°C or 18°C (and up to 30°C for heating) will be capped, with 20°C becoming the lowest possible temperature and 28°C the highest. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), raising the air conditioner temperature setting significantly cuts electricity use. While most ACs are commonly set between 20–21°C, the ideal comfort range is typically 24–25°C. The BEE states that raising the temperature from 20°C to 24°C can lead to approximately 24% power savings, with each 1°C increase contributing to about 6% electricity saving.
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa defends transformation, says it's a necessity not a favour
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended transformation, saying it's a necessity and not a favour. He said the country must dispel the false notion that a choice must be made between growth and transformation. Writing in his weekly newsletter, the president said economic growth without transformation entrenches exclusion, and transformation without growth is unsustainable. He, on Monday, again moved to dispel the view that Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) is a cost to the economy. The president recently challenged political parties in Parliament over their views on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), stating that it's being viewed incorrectly in relation to economic growth. Ramaphosa said this opinion needs to be challenged, adding that BEE is an investment in the economy. For this reason, Ramaphosa said the government is strengthening initiatives like the Black Industrialists Programme and noted the establishment of the Transformation Fund to support a new wave of emerging businesses that can create job opportunities. 'Our Constitution reflects the promise we made to one another and to future generations to redress the injustices of our past and realise the full potential of our country. For this reason, we reaffirm that Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment is not just a policy choice but a constitutional imperative,' wrote Ramaphosa. Appearing to take a swipe at his coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), Ramaphosa said he can't understand why those who continue to benefit from the legacy of exclusion decry BEE to the extent of challenging it in the courts. Ramaphosa said that there was a critical need for black-owned businesses to access funding on affordable terms, and private banks should review their lending practices. ALSO READ:
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
BSES summer offer: Up to 63% off on ACs, fans in new exchange scheme
Residents in Delhi can cut cooling costs as BSES reintroduces its 2025 exchange scheme, offering steep discounts on energy-efficient ACs and ceiling fans. In a bid to promote energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption, BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) and BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) have reintroduced their AC and fan replacement scheme for 2025. Under this initiative, eligible consumers can avail discounts of up to 63 per cent when exchanging their old air conditioners and fans for new, energy-efficient models. Here's a detailed explainer on how Delhi electricity consumers can benefit from the offer. Who is eligible? The scheme is open to residential consumers of both BSES Yamuna (covering Central and East Delhi) and BSES Rajdhani (covering South and West Delhi). To qualify: · The consumer must have a valid electricity connection with BYPL or BRPL. · The offer applies only to working or non-working ACs and fans being exchanged. · Only one AC and up to two fans per customer connection can be replaced under the offer. What's on offer? According to the details shared by BSES, the discounts available are: · Up to 63 per cent off on BEE 5-star rated air conditioners (including installation and delivery). · Up to 47 per cent off on energy-efficient ceiling fans. The scheme is being run in collaboration with leading manufacturers like Voltas, Godrej, LG, Daikin, and Havells. The exact discount depends on the model and the exchange offer applicable at the time of purchase. How to avail the offer? To make use of the scheme, customers need to follow a simple registration process: 1. Visit the BSES website or download the BSES Rajdhani or BSES Yamuna mobile app. 2. Navigate to the 'AC Replacement Scheme' section. 3. Enter your CA number (Consumer Account number), name, and mobile number. 4. Select the appliances you wish to replace and choose from the available models. Once the request is placed, the authorised vendor will contact the consumer for scheduling installation and exchange. Required documents To register and avail the benefit, keep the following handy: · Latest electricity bill · Government-issued photo ID (like Aadhaar or PAN) · Proof of address (if not same as ID) Why this matters? According to BSES, older air conditioners and ceiling fans are a major source of power consumption. Replacing them with BEE 5-star rated models, that can reduce electricity bills by 30-40 per cent. This is not just good for your wallet, but also helps reduce the overall power load on Delhi's grid during the summer peak. This initiative is part of BSES' broader push towards sustainable energy consumption. The 2025 scheme is expected to scale this further, especially as the capital faces rising summer temperatures and higher power demand.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Gayton McKenzie: 'If I were President, I would scrap BEE and start an empowerment bank'
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie proposes bold reforms, criticizes Black millionaires for lacking community investment, and blames illegal immigration for unemployment, urging South Africans to embrace 'unpopular decisions' for collective growth. Image: File Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says if he were made president, he would completely scrap the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) policy. He was speaking at the Black Business Council Summit on Friday. Instead, he proposes replacing it with a single empowerment bank, funded by a mandatory contribution of 1% of turnover from all white-owned businesses and previously empowered individuals. 'You can't build wealth without collateral,' McKenzie said. He believes the new bank would provide loans where 'your blackness will be your collateral. Your black skin.' According to him, this model avoids the counterproductive practice of forced partnerships, such as the 26% equity expectations under current BEE frameworks. 'Instead of telling white people, come make me a 26% partner, I will not do that. That's not business. That's counterproductive.' McKenzie highlighted that the new bank would enforce accountability, mentorship, and evidence of impact before extending further loans. On the current implementation of BEE, he is critical of how it's benefited a small elite rather than addressing broad economic disparities. 'BEE has not failed. We have failed BEE, and I'm including myself in all the Black millionaires today.' 'It is the same people doing deal after deal, and that is the truth. We can't run away from it.' He said black business leaders have become complicit, often choosing repeated partnerships over building independent ventures, even after attaining significant wealth. 'You do a deal, you're no longer poor; you are now a dollar millionaire, yet you still insist on becoming a partner in a business that a white man has built. That's a conversation we don't want to hear.' McKenzie drew a contrast with the Jewish community, suggesting that Black millionaires should show similar communal responsibility, especially in addressing the country's staggering Black unemployment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'We have so many black millionaires, but we have the highest unemployment rate. We just get more, we get more, but you're not even giving back to where you stay.' On illegal immigration, he blames the national budget deficit and service delivery failures on unaccounted foreign nationals. ''The ANC is getting an F, but they don't deserve an F. The ANC should be getting a D. But the reason why they don't deserve, don't know why they're getting an F, because they budget for South Africans. ''Mabahambe, and you will see jobs will appear.' 'Two million of them have jobs, waiters, whatever. So when we chase them away, immediately we have two million jobs for locals.' He says South Africa is budgeting for people not counted in the census, which causes direct economic strain. Ultimately, McKenzie argued that real empowerment comes not from forced partnerships, but from building institutions and taking 'unpopular decisions' that directly benefit the broader Black population. 'Let us get rich, all of us, but let's take the unpopular decisions. Mabahambe.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL Politics
