AC prices surge: Almost a day after the prices of both domestic and LPG cylinders surged in India, the country’s residents are set to feel the pinch again, as the cost of air conditioners are also expected to spike by 15%. At a time when Indians have begun sensing the scorching temperatures, leading AC manufacturers have announced a price hike ranging between 5 and 15%, citing high costs of raw materials, currency fluctuations and new energy-efficiency regulations.

These manufacturers announce hike in AC units

Major players of the air conditioning industry, such as Daikin, Voltas, LG Electronics, Blue Star, Haier and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have confirmed that the prices will be hiked across several models. As per their claims, the move’s goal is to offset the increasing input costs, particularly for copper, accompanied by a weakening Indian rupee against the US Dollar, higher freight charges and changes in the energy-efficiency standards. Executives working in the sector underlined that the cost pressures have left manufacturers with no choice but to pass on a part of the burden to the consumers. 

Daikin India’s chairman and Managing Director (MD) Kanwaljeet Jawa commented on the development, confirming that the company would raise the prices of its AC units by up to 12% from April 2026 onwards, depending on the model. He further elaborated that higher copper prices, a strong US Dollar and global supply uncertainties had pushed up the production and import costs. 

New energy norms also propelling price hike

Another pivotal factor, which has propelled the price hike, is the implementation of revised star-rating norms by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which was set in motion from January 1, 2026. As per the new guidelines, 5-star rated ACs are about 10% more energy efficient than the models manufactured earlier.