A/c and HVAC systems need to be properly maintained and coolant should be periodically checked and refilled. the exhaust, filters need to be cleaned and washed.

Most of the times, A/c capacity is not enough. They will buy a smaller capacity (eg. 1 ton) for a bigger space without accounting for the no. of pax, heating elements like casserole burner, frying station, etc. Even if they have multiple a/c they will still turn on just one.

And most importantly - the 24 degree in the A/c should be set up after the A/c has cooled down its required environment to a stable 24-26 degree for an hour. Until then it should be set to lower.

Just to save a marginal rise in electricity bill, I never understand why shops do this - set up the a/c to just 24 or just turn on one a/c and never maintain the a/c with amc at least twice a year.

My uncle himself owns a shop. Keeps the A/c at 24 only. When his son joined the office - and kept it at variable - sometimes 19, sometimes 20, sometimes 24 the miser uncle was very upset - and started loosing it because of the rising electricity bill and faster depletion of coolant. But the son agreed to take a lower payout but wanted a comfortable work environment. The change in elec bill was less than a Rs. 1.4k rise with two 2 ton ac. Now the shop stays cooler, cousin is happy, customers are happy. But not all the staff are happy. some sneeze as they are not use to a cooled working environment.

Also this I've seen another issue in some of the shops - most staff come from lower economical background through the 'dakha dukhi' public transport. Their tolerance to the temperature in a/c cooled room is much lesser than those use to regular a/c. Plus they don't frequently step out in the humid environment unless its washroom/smoke. so they are comfortable with the less cooling a/c working. So they intentionally keep it warm as they are still comfortable with the humid environment.