For many Indians, as soon as we switch on the AC, our mental calculation of the electricity bill begins. After all, switching on the air conditioner is a short-term decision, which is tied to just one room. However, for American mother of 4, Kristen Fischer, who has been living in India for the last couple of years, was a bit shocked. In the USA, the cooling of the house works in a completely different way, which often leaves her Indian friends shocked. From thermostats running all day to entire homes, not just one room, being cooled at once, her observations about everyday life in America have now sparked widespread discussion online about comfort, culture, and electricity consumption habits.
India vs the USA: AC usage
Kristen recently shared a video explaining one of the biggest differences she noticed between Indian and American households: how people use air conditioning. In her video, Fischer explained that in most Indian homes, air conditioners are usually split ACs or window ACs designed to cool only a single room. Because of this setup, people generally turn on the AC only when they are physically using that room and switch it off once they leave.
According to her, this usage pattern is very different from what happens in most American homes. She explained that homes in the United States commonly use central air-conditioning systems, where cooling is not limited to one room. Instead, the entire house is connected to a centralised cooling system controlled by a thermostat.
Fischer said Americans typically set a desired indoor temperature through the thermostat and leave the system running continuously to maintain that temperature throughout the house. She noted that this often surprises Indians because many are used to using air conditioning only “when needed” and switching it off afterwards to save electricity.
Leaving the thermostat
She also pointed out that people in the US continue using thermostats regardless of whether they are at home, at work, or even away on vacation. The goal, according to her, is to maintain a consistently comfortable indoor environment all the time. Fischer further explained that in America, indoor temperature management is treated almost like a default part of daily living. Whether the weather outside is extremely hot or cold, homes are generally kept at a stable and comfortable temperature throughout the day.
She contrasted this with India, where electricity costs often influence how people use cooling appliances. According to her, this is one reason Indians tend to be more selective and cautious about AC usage. Interestingly, she also revealed that despite the extensive use of air conditioning in the United States, her electricity bills there were actually lower than what her family currently pays in India.
That observation triggered a conversation online.
Some users said they preferred the Indian way because it focuses more on saving energy. Others, however, explained that central heating and cooling systems in parts of the US make sense because of extreme winters, snowfall, and wooden housing structures.
A few users from the US also clarified that central air-conditioning is not universal across the country. One New York City resident mentioned that many people there still use separate AC units for individual rooms and remain conscious about electricity costs instead of leaving cooling systems on constantly.
India vs the USA: AC usage
Kristen recently shared a video explaining one of the biggest differences she noticed between Indian and American households: how people use air conditioning. In her video, Fischer explained that in most Indian homes, air conditioners are usually split ACs or window ACs designed to cool only a single room. Because of this setup, people generally turn on the AC only when they are physically using that room and switch it off once they leave.According to her, this usage pattern is very different from what happens in most American homes. She explained that homes in the United States commonly use central air-conditioning systems, where cooling is not limited to one room. Instead, the entire house is connected to a centralised cooling system controlled by a thermostat.
Fischer said Americans typically set a desired indoor temperature through the thermostat and leave the system running continuously to maintain that temperature throughout the house. She noted that this often surprises Indians because many are used to using air conditioning only “when needed” and switching it off afterwards to save electricity.
Leaving the thermostat
She also pointed out that people in the US continue using thermostats regardless of whether they are at home, at work, or even away on vacation. The goal, according to her, is to maintain a consistently comfortable indoor environment all the time. Fischer further explained that in America, indoor temperature management is treated almost like a default part of daily living. Whether the weather outside is extremely hot or cold, homes are generally kept at a stable and comfortable temperature throughout the day.She contrasted this with India, where electricity costs often influence how people use cooling appliances. According to her, this is one reason Indians tend to be more selective and cautious about AC usage. Interestingly, she also revealed that despite the extensive use of air conditioning in the United States, her electricity bills there were actually lower than what her family currently pays in India.
That observation triggered a conversation online.
Internet reacts
The video sparked a debate online, with many users defending the Indian approach toward electricity usage and energy conservation. One user pointed out that the issue was not just about electricity being “cheap or expensive,” but also about avoiding unnecessary energy waste. Another linked continuous cooling habits in the West to “eco-insensitive and wasteful consumption” that contributes to climate change.Some users said they preferred the Indian way because it focuses more on saving energy. Others, however, explained that central heating and cooling systems in parts of the US make sense because of extreme winters, snowfall, and wooden housing structures.
A few users from the US also clarified that central air-conditioning is not universal across the country. One New York City resident mentioned that many people there still use separate AC units for individual rooms and remain conscious about electricity costs instead of leaving cooling systems on constantly.
