How is AC Usage Heating the Planet - And What You Can Do About It

Krishiv Jain
Jun 26
2 min read

Why Air Conditioners Are a Bigger Climate Threat Than You Think

AC Usage. It probably sounds insignificant or irrelevant in the rising climate challenges and catastrophes we face, but it's not. A couple of days back, I came across a news article which, interestingly, stated that more than 10% of all electricity generated in India is used for air conditioning. And with AC ownership and usage tripling since 2010, our carbon emissions are soaring faster than the summer temperature in Delhi right now!

A bit more reading revealed that the government may be pushing for a bold fix: standardizing AC temperatures. But that’s just the start.

The Shocking Energy Cost of Staying Cool

Yes, their cooling feels great, but the problem is that ACs use an unjustifiably high amount of power, between 1.5 and 3 kWh per hour, to be exact. In fact, the power drain is greater the lower the temperature is set. And the sad part is, many ACs cannot even reach temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius on a hot summer day, and will just continuously run in an attempt to reach an unattainable setting, thus wasting energy.

Since just a 1-degree increase can reduce electricity usage by 6%, you can reduce your power consumption by almost 25% just by turning the temperature from 20 to 24! This is why the recommended temperature range is between 24-26 degrees Celsius, a good balance between energy conservation, preference, and comfort. And that’s exactly what the government is trying to implement. They want AC consumers and producers to stick to sane settings - between 20 to 28 degrees Celsius, with 24 as the recommended default.

Beyond ACs: How Urban Design Is Making Us Hotter

Let’s not stop at the AC temperature.

Roads: More than 95% of India’s roads are made of asphalt, which absorbs and radiates heat, hence raising local temperatures. By introducing “cool pavements” which reflect sunlight, temperatures could be significantly lowered, reducing the demand for cooling.

Architecture: Modern glass buildings in Indian urban cities – they might look aesthetically cool, but are quite detrimental for the environment since they trap heat like a greenhouse, raising interior temperatures and AC usage heavily. Instead, using alternative materials like bricks, clay, or smarter layouts can be extremely beneficial for the planet.

Simple Cooling Hacks to Save Energy and Lower Your Carbon Footprint

But the truth is, you can act smarter on an individual level instantly. Start small:

Set your AC to 24 degrees. It takes 2 seconds.
Use fans or draw your curtains to reduce AC usage.
Spread the word. Talk and post about these AC hacks or the need for better roads and architecture. Someone might listen.