Context
- India has seen a 15-fold increase in energy consumed for cooling since 1990, a recent report from International Energy Agency (IEA) pointed out.
- The power ministry has advised companies to regulate default air conditioner (AC) settings to promote energy efficiency in the area which is expected to be a key driver of global electricity demand in the coming decades.
- The targeted commercial buildings will include airports, hotels, shopping malls, officers and government buildings.
Results
- The power ministry estimates indicate that if all the consumers adopt, this will result in savings of 20 billion units of electricity in one year alone.
Methods
- Education: After an awareness campaign of 4 to 6 months, followed by a survey to gather public feedback, the Ministry of Power would consider making this mandatory, the minister added.
- Labelling: AC makers were advised to have labelling indicating the optimum temperature setting for the benefits of consumers both from financial and their health points of view
