Why in the News?
The Union Ministry of Power is considering a policy to restrict the temperature range of new air conditioners (ACs) in India to between 20°C and 28°C.
Important Facts and Keywords related to ACs:
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How do Air Conditioners Work?
- Basic Idea: Air conditioners (ACs) work like a heat-moving machine. They take heat from inside your room and push it outside, making the room cooler. They do this using a special fluid called a refrigerant, and a system called the vapour-compression cycle.
- Main Parts and What They Do:
- Evaporator: This part is inside your room. The refrigerant, which is very cold here, absorbs heat from the indoor air and turns into a gas. It also removes moisture, so your room feels less humid.
- Compressor: This is outside the house. It squeezes the refrigerant gas, making it very hot (about 90°C) and high-pressure. This part uses the most electricity in the AC.
- Condenser: The hot gas then flows through the condenser coil outside. It releases heat into the outdoor air and turns back into a liquid.
- Expansion Valve: This part lowers the pressure of the liquid refrigerant, making it cold again before it goes back to the evaporator to repeat the cycle.
- Refrigerant: The refrigerant is a specially designed gas that changes state easily at low temperatures and pressures, making it ideal for absorbing and releasing heat rapidly. Modern refrigerants like R-32 or R-410A are more energy-efficient and environmentally safer than older ones like CFCs and HCFCs.
Why limit AC Temperature settings?
- Energy Efficiency Data: According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), setting an AC to 24°C instead of a lower setting can save 6% electricity per 1°C increase.
- National Impact: If adopted widely, this temperature setting could help India save 20 billion units of electricity annually.
- Health Risks at Low Temperatures: Temperatures below 18°C are linked to hypertension, asthma, and respiratory infections, especially among children, the elderly, and people with weakened thermoregulation.
- Evidence from Global Studies: Research in Japan, the UK, and New Zealand shows that slightly warmer indoor settings lead to better respiratory and cardiovascular health.
- WHO Recommendation: The World Health Organization advises 18°C as the minimum safe indoor temperature in temperate climates.
- Thermal Comfort Standards: Guidelines like ASHRAE-55 and ISO 7730 suggest optimal indoor temperatures between 20°C and 24°C for lightly clothed people, with adjustments based on local climate and culture.
Global Cooling Trends and the Need for Regulation:
- Global AC Usage Growth: As of 2022, there were an estimated 2 billion air conditioners in use worldwide, with residential units tripling since 2000, especially in India and China.
- Access Gap in Asia-Pacific: Despite this growth, 43% of the Asia-Pacific population still lacks access to adequate cooling solutions.
- Environmental Impact: Air conditioning significantly increases electricity use and carbon emissions, especially in countries with fossil fuel-dependent grids.
- India’s AC Load Projection: By 2030, India’s total connected AC load is expected to reach 200 gigawatts, requiring urgent demand management strategies.
- Consumer Awareness Tools: Initiatives like default settings at 24°C and energy labelling empower consumers to make informed energy-efficient choices.
- Benefits of Regulation: A regulated temperature range can help lower energy consumption, reduce peak power demand, and support public health.
| [UPSC 2003] Consider the following statements:
1. Steam at 100°C and boiling water at 100°C contain the same amount of heat. 2. Latent heat of fusion of ice is equal to the latent heat of vaporization of water. 3. In an air-conditioner, heat is extracted from the room-air at the evaporator coils and is rejected out at the condenser coils. Which of these statements is/are correct? Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) Only 2 (d) Only 3* |
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