Stepping outside during an Indian summer can feel exhausting within minutes. In several parts of the country, temperatures are already moving close to 45°C, and the intense heat often pushes people to rely heavily on air conditioners for relief. The moment many people return home, the first instinct is usually to lower the AC temperature to 16°C or 18°C, believing that a lower setting cools the room faster. It has become a common habit in homes, offices, and even hotels. Still, experts say that this popular belief is not entirely correct. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, which functions under the Ministry of Power, the recommended AC temperature for Indian summers is actually 24°C. The recommendation is linked to comfort, energy efficiency, and lower electricity consumption, all of which become especially important during peak summer months.Why 24°C is considered the ideal AC settingMost people believe that setting the AC at a very low temperature will make the room cooler much faster. The truth is that the rate at which air conditioners cool the environment is relatively constant; thus, setting a lower temperature only ensures that the compressor keeps working longer to achieve the required temperature.In scenarios where air conditioners are forced to maintain temperatures such as 16°C or 18°C during very hot weather, the compressor is forced to work for the whole time, thereby consuming more electricity. It is said that every rise of 1°C in the AC temperature can help save up to 6 percent of electricity.Initially, this may seem like a very minor issue. However, after using the air conditioner for a couple of weeks during summer, significant electricity savings can be observed. This has been one of the reasons why most workplaces and even hotel managers prefer to keep their rooms at around 24°C.How lower AC temperatures increase electricity billsUse of electricity increases greatly during the summer due to the continuous use of air conditioning in almost every house. It turns out to be one of the biggest causes of an increase in the electricity bill from April to June in most Indian houses.Using the air conditioner at 24°C in place of 18°C will lessen the burden on the compressor, allowing the device to consume less power. Some experts opine that people always underestimate the amount of electricity needed to keep the indoor temperature low when the outdoor temperature is still above 40°C. Though modern inverter air conditioners have the capacity to control the speed of the compressor depending on the requirement of cooling, they still need more electricity when the temperature is maintained lower than necessary.This small difference in temperature can make a lot of difference when used in multiple air conditioners in a house.Is 24°C actually comfortable during Indian summersMost people start off wondering whether 24°C Celsius is cool enough to withstand the intense heat waves. However, as per the experts, it is adequate for most households in India when coupled with airflow.Using a ceiling fan in tandem with the AC ensures that the room is cooled effectively. In most cases, the room will be cooler when it is at 24 degrees Celsius with airflow. Factors like humidity, insulation, and room size also play a role in determining comfort in terms of temperature. Smaller rooms tend to cool quickly, whereas rooms with poor insulation take time to cool down.The experts have further pointed out that very cold temperatures indoors might be uncomfortable when people move back and forth from the hot weather outside.Why modern ACs now come with 24°C as defaultSeveral new air conditioners sold in India now reportedly arrive with 24°C set as the default factory temperature. This move aligns with government efforts to promote energy efficiency and responsible electricity usage.India’s power demand rises sharply during the summer months because of increased cooling requirements across cities and towns. Since air conditioners account for a major share of household electricity consumption, even moderate changes in temperature settings across millions of homes could help reduce overall energy demand.Experts believe that encouraging users to maintain balanced cooling temperatures may also improve the long-term performance of AC units by reducing excessive strain on compressors and internal components.Small habits that improve cooling efficiencyKeeping curtains closed during the hottest hours of the day helps reduce heat entering the room through windows.Cleaning AC filters regularly improves airflow and allows the appliance to cool more efficiently.Using ceiling fans alongside the AC helps circulate cool air evenly throughout the room.Properly closing doors and windows prevents cool air from escaping and reduces unnecessary cooling loss.Many users now rely on sleep mode settings at night, which gradually adjust temperatures while lowering electricity consumption.