India Purchases 14 million AC Units Annually, Demand Continues to Rise

AC

INDIA- India recorded an all-time high of 14 million air conditioning units sold in 2024, reflecting a surge in demand driven by rising temperatures and growing aspirations for comfort. Residential AC ownership is projected to increase ninefold by mid-century, promising improved living and working conditions for millions across the country.

But while the boom brings much-needed relief from sweltering heat, it also raises alarms over the environmental cost. The increased reliance on air conditioning is expected to dramatically raise electricity consumption, much of which is still generated from coal—the country’s primary energy source.

India is currently the world’s fastest-growing market for air conditioners, even though only about 7 percent of households own one. As ownership climbs, energy experts caution that electricity demand could triple in the coming decades to accommodate cooling needs.

Already the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, India is projected to burn through one billion tonnes of coal in 2024–25, according to a recent government report. In addition to increasing carbon emissions, the widespread use of air conditioners expels hot exhaust air into city streets, compounding the urban heat island effect.

Policymakers and environmentalists are now grappling with the dual challenge of expanding access to cooling while managing its climate impact. Efforts are underway to promote energy-efficient technologies and alternative cooling methods, but balancing comfort with sustainability remains a formidable task for the world’s most populous nation.

Source: Economic Times