India wants air conditioners to be made with milder temperature settings to save energy

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Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. thermostat / ˈθɜr məˌstæt / (n.) – a device that controls the temperature of a room or machine
    Example:

    The office thermostat is always set too low, so many people bring jackets to work.


  2. turn up / tɜrn ʌp / (phrasal v.) – to make something stronger or louder, especially heat, sound, or light
    Example:

    John turned up the heater because he was feeling cold.


  3. take effect / teɪk ɪˈfɛkt / (idiom) – to start to work or become effective
    Example:

    The new school rules about using phones will take effect next week.


  4. sweltering / ˈswɛl tər ɪŋ / (adj.) – very hot in a way that feels uncomfortable
    Example:

    People stayed indoors to avoid the sweltering weather.


  5. inconvenience / ˌɪn kənˈvin yəns / (v.) – to cause problems or trouble for someone
    Example:

    The store was closed for repairs, which inconvenienced shoppers who needed to buy food.


Article

Read the text below.

India’s government is seeking to limit temperature settings on new air conditioners to save electricity in the country, which is considered the fastest-growing market for them.


The power minister proposed a rule in June requiring air conditioners sold in the country to have thermostats that can be set no lower than 20°C (68°F).


Officials hope the small change will create massive energy savings in the country of more than 1.4 billion people. About 10 million to 15 million air conditioners are sold annually as incomes and urbanization increase, along with the temperatures.


The current lowest setting is 17°C (62°F). Officials say each degree an air conditioner is turned up saves about 6% on energy.


Energy experts said the proposal is a positive step, but that requiring units to be more energy efficient would help more.


Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the proposed rule would take effect soon, but he wasn’t specific about timing.


The proposal has gotten mixed reviews from people living in India’s sweltering cities.


“Overall, I think it’s good to try and save energy, but at the same time I hope the government makes sure people are not too inconvenienced,” said Vikram Kannan, a 37-year-old teacher who lives in the humid southern city of Chennai. “Sometimes there is no choice but to set a low air conditioner temperature in cities like Chennai because it’s just way too hot and humid.”


Energy demand is typically highest during the summer when temperatures can reach 51°C (124°F) in parts of the country. If changes are not made, India is expected to have power shortages by next year.


Some are supportive of the proposed change to air conditioner settings. Sunil Kumar, a 47-year-old from East Delhi, said the rule could prevent fire hazards and lower bills.


“People used to live without air conditioners. We can adjust,” said Kumar.


Nikit Abhyankar, a UC Berkeley professor, said that while changing temperature settings will help, requiring air conditioners to be energy efficient would do more.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • India wants to limit new air conditioners to a minimum temperature of 20°C, hoping this small change will save energy. What problems or challenges might people and the government encounter with this new rule? Discuss.
  • Experts say making AC units more energy efficient would help more than just changing temperature settings. Do you think it’s better to focus on big technological solutions or on encouraging small behavioral changes for energy saving? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Kumar said, “People used to live without air conditioners. We can adjust.” Do you agree with the idea that people can still live without air conditioners today? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • People in India’s hot cities have mixed feelings about the new rule, worrying it might be too uncomfortable. How do you think we can balance our personal comfort with the need to save energy and protect the environment? Discuss.