Set Your AC to 24°C: Save 6% Electricity for Every Degree

Setting your AC to 24°C is the easiest way to cut your electricity bill without losing comfort. As a simple rule, every degree you raise the temperature saves about 6 percent of the electricity your AC uses. BEE (the Bureau of Energy Efficiency) recommends 24°C as the comfortable and energy-saving setting for home ACs.

What is the 24°C AC trick?

The trick is simple: instead of running your AC at 18°C or 20°C, set it to 24°C. The room still feels pleasant, but the AC works less, so you use fewer units of electricity. You do not need to buy anything new. It is just a change in the remote.

How much can you save at 24°C?

Each degree you raise the setting saves about 6 percent electricity. Here is a simple example using that rule:

• 18°C to 24°C is 6 degrees higher.
• 6 degrees x 6 percent = up to 36 percent lower electricity use.
• 20°C to 24°C is 4 degrees higher, so up to about 24 percent lower.

This is an example estimate based on 6 percent saving per degree. Your real saving depends on your AC model, room, sunlight, how many hours you use it and the weather.

Why does a higher temperature save power?

An AC uses electricity to remove heat from the room. The bigger the gap between the outside temperature and the temperature you ask for, the harder the compressor must work, and for longer. A smaller gap means less work and a smaller bill. It does not make the room cool faster to set it very low. The AC cools at the same speed, it just keeps running longer.

Benefits of setting your AC to 24°C

• Lower electricity bill: Save about 6 percent for every degree you raise the temperature.
• Comfortable cooling: 24°C feels pleasant and you avoid the too-cold, blanket-needed feeling.
• Works well with fans: A ceiling fan on low speed spreads the cool air, so the room feels even cooler at 24°C.
• Eco-friendly and smarter cooling: Less electricity used means a smaller carbon footprint, and the AC is under less strain.

Tips to get the best from 24°C

• Start with the temperature at 24°C and use a ceiling fan on low speed.
• Keep doors and windows closed while the AC runs.
• Use curtains on windows that get direct afternoon sun.
• Clean the AC filters every few weeks in summer. See why AC maintenance is needed before summer.
• Choose the correct AC size for your room. Our room size guide will help.

Save even more with an energy efficient AC

The 24°C setting works best together with an efficient AC. A 5-star inverter AC uses less power for the same cooling. Read our guide on 5-star vs 3-star ACs, learn how an inverter AC works and see SEER vs EER.

Looking for an energy efficient AC in Hyderabad?

Omindo Auto Machines sells split ACs from O General, Voltas, IFB and Toshiba. Compare models, sizes and prices in our split AC collection. For shops, halls and offices, see our cassette ACs.

Call us on 9676878651 or 9347778922 and our team will help you pick the right AC for your room and budget. You can also read more tips on our blog or visit our Contact page for showroom addresses.

Frequently asked questions

Is 24°C the best temperature for an AC?

For most people, yes. 24°C is the temperature recommended by BEE as a comfortable and energy-saving setting. It feels pleasant, especially with a fan on low, and uses less electricity than 18°C to 20°C.

How much electricity does an AC save for every degree?

As a rule of thumb, you save about 6 percent electricity for every degree you raise the temperature setting. The actual saving depends on your AC, the room and how long you use it.

Does setting the AC to 18°C cool the room faster?

No. The AC cools at the same speed whatever temperature you set. A very low setting only makes the AC run longer, which uses more power and can make the room too cold.

Can I use a fan with the AC at 24°C?

Yes. A ceiling fan on a low speed spreads the cool air around the room, so 24°C feels cooler and you stay comfortable without lowering the temperature.

Does a 5-star inverter AC save even more at 24°C?

Yes. A 5-star inverter AC uses less power to begin with, and setting it to 24°C saves further. Read our guide on 5-star vs 3-star ACs to choose the right one.