AC Control Bill, 2025

Why in News?

Union Ministry of Power has plans to restrict the temperature range of new air conditioners in homes, hotels and cars.

• Short title - This Act may be called the Ease of Cooling (Regulation and Control) Act, 2025.
• Extent - It extends to the whole of a residential property’s super built-up area, and area encroached using flower pots.
• Commencement - It shall come into force on such date as any air-conditioner (AC) is appointed to serve in a residence.
• Definitions
  • ‘Individual resident’ – It means any government-approved ID proof such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, or PAN, preferably linked to a carbon-based life form.
  • ‘Permissible Temperature Range’ (PTR) - Means 20-28 degrees Celsius.
  • ‘Temperature Rakshak Sangh’ (TRAKS) - Means any volunteer group of vigilantes equipped with government-issued thermal scanners.
• Aim - To promote a climate-friendly approach to perspiration management and put more money in the hands of citizens by reducing their electricity bills.
• Mandatory provisions - All AC manufacturers and retailers shall ensure that:
  • Temperature controls are configured to prevent manual settings outside the PTR.
  • Customers complete Know Your AC (KYAC) formalities before taking possession of the AC.
• Individual residents, at the time of AC installation, must download DigiTapMan app and create an account using Aadhaar.
• Enforcement and penalties - Any TRAKS vigilante can enter any house, including the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and the utility area that has no utility except as a potty zone for pigeons, to inspect the ambient temperature and the cooling devices installed.
• TRAKS vigilantes are authorised to enter an AC-enabled home at any time of the day or night, and
  • If they find either that the AC settings have been tampered with, or the ambient temperature is outside the PTR, or if the residents are found to be not sweating at all, then they shall:
  • Seize all non-compliant equipment.
• Have the option to seek voluntary donation to a political party of their choice, in exchange for letting the offender go scot-free.
• Appeals - Individual residents aggrieved by an order passed under this Act may prefer an appeal before an Appellate Authority as may be notified by the Central Government.

Reference

The Hindu | AC Control Bill, 2025