India’s Ministry of Power is preparing a nationwide initiative to encourage households to replace outdated air conditioners with fivestar energyefficient units. The move aims to reduce electricity consumption, ease grid pressure, and support climate goals under the India Cooling Action Plan.
Key Highlights
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Consumers with ACs older than 10 years may soon be eligible for discounts on new fivestar models.
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The scheme will be modeled after the successful Ujala LED program, leveraging bulk procurement and competitive bidding to lower costs.
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Buyers can exchange old units via certified ewaste partners or receive energy credits through discoms to offset purchase costs.
Energy and Cost Benefits
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Replacing a belowthreestar AC with a fivestar unit could save up to ₹6,300 annually in electricity bills.
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Cooling accounts for nearly 25% of India’s building energy use, with AC adoption expected to quadruple by 2030.
Industry Collaboration
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The government has consulted major manufacturers including Voltas, Blue Star, Daikin, LG, and Samsung to ensure smooth rollout.
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Manufacturers may offer higher scrappage values, supported by government incentives or bill rebates.
Efficiency Norms and Future Outlook
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The Bureau of Energy Efficiency plans to revise AC energy ratings every two years, pushing for technological upgrades.
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The scheme aligns with India’s broader sustainability goals and could significantly reduce peak summer energy demand.
Sources: Firstpost, Economic Times, Business Standard, KnockSense, Artyz.in.