Hot in the city: Energy crisis tests Singapore’s air-con addiction

Hot in the City: Energy Crisis Challenges Singapore’s Air-Conditioning Dependence

Singapore, a city known for its heavy use of air-conditioning, has asked public servants to increase office temperatures to 25°C (77°F) as energy costs climb due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. To support these efforts, the government plans to update public buildings with energy-saving features such as LED lighting and smart sensors. This initiative aligns with similar actions by other Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand, which has also set air-con thermostats to 26–27°C to reduce consumption.

The region’s reliance on oil and gas from the Gulf has intensified with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supply. Singapore, like its neighbors, faces higher fuel prices and potential disruptions to its economy. Despite this, the city remains largely dependent on air-conditioning, with nearly all offices and homes equipped with cooling systems. Some workers even wear sweaters during the day because indoor temperatures are often set too low.

Singapore’s malls, for example, are fully climate-controlled, creating sudden temperature drops for pedestrians entering from the warm outdoors. Public transport, including buses and trains, also runs on air-con, further embedding the practice in daily life. The government’s move to raise the temperature threshold reflects a broader strategy to cut energy use, as outlined by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment on April 8. They emphasized that raising the thermostat by just one degree can lower energy demands by up to 10%.

A Legacy of Cooling

Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding leader, once praised air-conditioning for transforming tropical living. In a 1999 statement, he noted how it allowed civil servants to work efficiently indoors, even in extreme heat. His vision helped establish air-con as a staple of modern Singapore, but the current energy crisis is testing that legacy.

Now, as fuel prices soar, Singapore is encouraging workers to adopt alternatives like fans and public transport. Businesses are also urged to reduce energy consumption, mirroring actions in Thailand, where remote work and temperature limits have been introduced. Meanwhile, the Philippines, which imports 98% of its oil from the Middle East, has shortened its government workweek to save power. South Korea, too, has launched campaigns promoting shorter showers and weekend laundry to ease pressure on energy supplies.

Experts warn that the Iran war’s impact could be dubbed the “Asian crisis.” Ichiro Kutani from Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics highlighted how developing nations are struggling, particularly with the surge in petrol cars and gas-dependent households. Long-term, he said, the crisis serves as a wake-up call for Asia to optimize oil use and diversify energy sources.

“Each degree raised reduces energy needs by around 10%,” said Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. “We’re leading by example to stabilize the system.”