By News Today India | June 11, 2025

As North India faces scorching heatwaves, with temperatures crossing 45°C in places like Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, the government has shared simple rules for using air conditioners (ACs). These rules help save electricity, lower your bills, and keep you healthy. With easy tips like setting your AC to 24°C, you can stay cool without harming your health or the environment. Let’s dive into what these rules are, why they matter, and how they help during this hot summer.

What Are the New AC Temperature Rules?

The government, through the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), says you should set your AC between 20°C and 28°C. The best setting is 24°C. This temperature keeps your room cool enough while using less electricity. Here’s why this matters:

• Saves Electricity: Every time you lower your AC by 1°C below 24°C, it uses about 6% more power. So, setting it at 18°C wastes a lot of energy!
• Lowers Bills: Using less electricity means cheaper electricity bills for you.
• Helps the Environment: Less power use reduces strain on India’s power plants, which often run on coal and harm the environment.

The government also suggests using a ceiling fan with your AC. Fans spread cool air better, so you don’t need to set the AC too low. Other tips include closing curtains to block sunlight and using the AC’s timer to turn it off after 6–8 hours, like when you sleep.

Why These Rules During the Heatwave?

North India is burning up in 2025. Places like Barmer in Rajasthan hit 46.4°C, and parts of Delhi reached 47.4°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says 2024 was the hottest year ever, and 2025 is starting even hotter. Heatwaves are dangerous, causing problems like:

• Heatstroke: When your body gets too hot, it can make you very sick.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water in the heat can harm your body.
• Kidney Issues: Extreme heat can hurt your kidneys, especially for people working outside.

ACs are a lifesaver, but using ACs the wrong way can cause trouble. Setting them too cold, like 18°C, can shock your body when you step outside into the heat. It can also make your nose stuffy, give you allergies, or make your muscles stiff. That’s why 24°C is the sweet spot—it’s cool, safe, and healthy.

How Do These Rules Save Energy?

India’s electricity use jumped by 10% in 2024 because so many people used ACs during the heat. This puts pressure on our power grid, sometimes causing blackouts. The government’s 24°C rule helps because:

• Less Power per AC: At 24°C, your AC works less hard, saving energy.
• 5-Star ACs: Newer ACs with a 5-star rating use up to 50% less electricity than old ones. If you’re buying an AC, pick a 5-star model.
• Smart Tricks: Using a fan, closing curtains, and cleaning your AC regularly make it work better without wasting power.

Saving energy also means fewer power plants burning coal, which helps fight climate change and keeps our air cleaner.

How Do These Rules Keep You Healthy?

Extreme heat is risky, especially for kids, older people, and those working outside, like farmers or construction workers. The heatwave has caused serious health problems, like strokes and mental stress, especially in rural areas where ACs are rare. Here’s how the AC rules help:

• No Body Shock: Setting your AC at 24°C keeps your body comfortable. If it’s too cold inside, stepping into 45°C heat outside can make you dizzy or sick.
• Better Breathing: Too-cold ACs dry out the air, which can irritate your nose or lungs. At 24°C, the air feels just right.
• Fights Heat Illness: Staying cool at a safe temperature prevents heatstroke and dehydration, keeping you and your family safe.

For those without ACs, the government suggests drinking lots of water, avoiding the sun from 12 PM to 3 PM, and visiting cooling centers (community spaces with fans or ACs) if possible.

Tips to Stay Cool and Save Money

Here are some easy ways to follow the government’s advice and beat the heat:

1. Set Your AC to 24°C: It’s the best temperature for comfort and savings.
2. Use a Ceiling Fan: Fans make the room feel cooler, so you don’t need a super-cold AC.
3. Close Curtains or Blinds: This blocks hot sunlight and keeps your room cooler.
4. Clean Your AC: A dirty AC uses more power and doesn’t cool well. Clean its filter every month.
5. Use Sleep Mode: Set your AC to turn off after a few hours at night to save energy.
6. Drink Water: Stay hydrated to help your body handle the heat.
7. Check Your AC: Old or broken ACs can cause fires or stop working. Get them checked regularly.

Why North India Needs These Rules Now

The 2025 heatwave is hitting North India hard. States like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab are facing temperatures above 45°C. In rural areas, many people don’t have ACs, and women working in fields or at home face extra risks. The government is trying to help by:

• Spreading the Word: Telling everyone to use ACs wisely.
• Building Cooling Spaces: Setting up places where people can cool off.
• Planting Trees: More trees mean more shade and cooler cities in the future.

Last year, heatwaves caused many deaths, like 98 in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. With climate change making summers hotter, these AC rules are a small but important step to keep people safe.

Final Thoughts

The government’s AC temperature rules—set at 24°C, between 20°C and 28°C—are a smart way to stay cool during North India’s heatwave. They save electricity, cut your bills, and protect your health. By using fans, closing curtains, and choosing energy-saving ACs, you can beat the heat without breaking the bank. For those without ACs, staying hydrated and finding shade are key. Let’s follow these tips to stay safe and cool this summer!

Stay updated with News Today India for more tips on health, energy, and beating the heatwave. Share this article to help others stay cool and save money!