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The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 11) gazetted the 2015 editions of the Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation and Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit in pursuance of section 40 of the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance, further enhancing buildings' energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
"More stringent than the current 2012 versions, the new standards require a further 10 per cent improvement in energy efficiency. We expect that up to 2025, energy savings from all new buildings in Hong Kong will be about five billion kilowatt hours, equivalent to the total annual electricity consumption by about one million households or a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of about 3.5 million tonnes," a spokesman for the EMSD said.
Grace periods of six to nine months will be provided after the issuance of the two Codes of Practice. The Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation 2015 Edition for newly constructed buildings and existing buildings will take effect on June 11 and September 11, 2016 respectively, while the Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit 2015 Edition will take effect on June 11, 2016.
The Codes of Practice were drawn up by the EMSD in collaboration with relevant stakeholders including professional institutions, trade associations, green groups, academia and government departments. They are meant to provide technical details for the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance, which was implemented in 2012. The Codes are reviewed every three years. During the review process, the EMSD examined the latest technology developments and the energy efficiency standards adopted by the relevant professional bodies and authorities in the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Feedback and suggestions from the relevant trades were also taken into account.
The Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation specifies the energy efficiency standards and requirements for the four key types of building services installations as prescribed under the Ordinance, namely air-conditioning, lighting, electrical, and lift and escalator installations. The Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit sets out the technical requirements and details in respect of the energy audit under the Ordinance. In addition, the central building services installations of commercial buildings and the commercial portions of composite buildings are required to carry out energy audits every 10 years in accordance with the Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit, and the results have to be displayed in a conspicuous position at the main entrance of the buildings concerned for public inspection.
For more details about the Ordinance and the two Codes of Practice, please visit the EMSD webpage (www.beeo.emsd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, December 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:31
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