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The escalating heatwave across northern India has prompted a novel government initiative aimed at simultaneously addressing energy conservation and public health concerns. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's announcement of standardized air conditioning temperature ranges signifies a significant step towards regulating indoor climates across various sectors. The proposed rule, limiting cooling to a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius and heating to a maximum of 28 degrees Celsius, seeks to curb excessive energy consumption and mitigate environmental impact, applying to both buildings and vehicles. While presented as a response to climate change and growing energy demands, the initiative's potential health benefits, particularly during intense summer months, have garnered attention from medical professionals. This move has the potential to reshape how people perceive and utilize air conditioning, encouraging a shift towards more moderate and health-conscious cooling practices. The underlying principle is that extreme temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environments can have detrimental effects on the human body, disrupting its natural ability to regulate temperature and leading to various health issues. The government's action aligns with the long-standing efforts of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which has previously recommended 24 degrees Celsius as the default setting for room air conditioners. The initiative reflects a growing awareness of the interconnectedness between environmental sustainability and public health, highlighting the need for holistic approaches to address complex challenges. The successful implementation of this policy could serve as a model for other regions facing similar climate-related challenges, promoting both energy conservation and the well-being of citizens. The regulation will promote uniformity in air conditioning use and promote energy efficiency, according to Minister Khattar.
Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, elaborates on the potential health risks associated with excessively low air conditioning temperatures. He explains that such temperatures can disrupt the body's natural thermoregulation processes, making it more susceptible to temperature shocks when transitioning between indoor and outdoor environments. Stepping from a frigid air-conditioned space into the sweltering heat of 44 or 45 degrees Celsius can trigger a range of adverse reactions, including colds, fatigue, and stress on internal organs. Dr. Chatterjee likens the human body to a natural thermostat, constantly working to maintain internal balance. Artificially cold environments can override these mechanisms, leading to a disruption of the body's natural ability to adapt to changing temperatures. He emphasizes that the body needs time to acclimatize to temperature variations, and failure to do so can result in a physiological response that is particularly severe in elderly individuals or those with pre-existing health conditions such as heart, liver, or kidney diseases. While the government's new limits set the minimum temperature at 20 degrees Celsius, Dr. Chatterjee recommends maintaining even higher temperatures, ideally between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius, for optimal comfort and health. This range minimizes the temperature gap between indoor and outdoor environments, allowing the body to adjust more easily to external conditions. The doctor cautions that temperature preferences can vary based on individual factors, such as room orientation, insulation quality, and existing health conditions. A room facing direct sunlight may require slightly more cooling, while individuals with certain medical issues may find lower temperatures harmful.
The article highlights the importance of considering individual needs and circumstances when setting air conditioning temperatures. While the government's mandate aims to establish a standardized approach, it acknowledges that temperature preferences are not uniform and can be influenced by various factors. The direction a room faces, the quality of insulation, existing health conditions, and even the time of day can all play a role in determining the ideal temperature setting. Furthermore, the article underscores the significance of gradually acclimatizing the body to temperature changes, particularly during extreme weather conditions such as loo conditions in North India. The closer the indoor temperature is to the outdoor heat, the better the body can adapt, reducing the risk of temperature shock and related health problems. By promoting awareness of these factors, the article encourages individuals to adopt a more personalized and health-conscious approach to air conditioning use. The government’s mandate also ties into long-standing efforts by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which in 2020 prescribed 24C as the default setting for room air conditioners. Lowering cooling demands helps not just individual power bills but also reduces the strain on electricity grids during peak summer. “Extreme cooling is neither necessary nor beneficial. What’s ideal is a moderate, consistent temperature that supports both comfort and energy conservation,” Dr. Chatterjee emphasized. The move toward standardized AC temperature is an important step for India.