Even before summer comes, there is a crisis on AC, it will affect the pocket, tension has increased due to shortage of LPG.

The heat is increasing rapidly, and AC manufacturing companies are now very troubled by the shortage of gas. It is reported that due to the ongoing conflicts in West Asia, the supply of LPG and some special chemicals has reduced in India. These things are very useful in making AC. The peak time of summer (April-May) is about to come, when people buy maximum ACs, but if the problem of gas continues then production may stop and ACs may become expensive. This will cause harm to both the common people and the entire industry.

According to a Times of India report, India imports 88% of its LPG from abroad, and a large part of it comes from West Asia. Due to the tension there, movement of ships has become difficult. LPG is used in AC to strengthen copper joints and dry powder coating.

Besides, petrochemicals (like polypropylene) are also necessary for making plastic parts. There has been no major production loss yet, but companies are worried.

Vikas Gupta, a senior official of PG Electroplast, said, ‘We are facing problems in production every day. Work is being affected due to shortage of LPG and PNG, and chemicals are also available in less quantity. We are trying to reduce it by talking to suppliers.

Kamal Nandi of Godrej said that due to geopolitical tension, there is a problem in the supply of raw materials, due to which plastic items have become expensive.

Ajay Singhania of Epack Durable says that they are now trying alternative methods, like other ways of adding copper, but this increases the cost of manufacturing.

Blue Star’s B. Thiagarajan also said that there is a fear of supply problem in the industry. Already, due to new energy rules, AC prices have increased by 5%.

If the commodity becomes expensive then it may increase by another 8-10%. There is a possibility of prolonged summer (including the effect of El Nino in some places), so the demand will increase a lot, but due to less supply, the stock may run out. Companies are now focusing on bringing goods from other countries or on alternative things.

Some are paying more attention to other products like induction cooktops. But overall, these are difficult times for the common man – AC is needed to escape the heat, but it will cost more. It is hoped that the situation will improve soon, otherwise the problem of ACs being expensive and less available in the peak season may increase.