The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (August 28) that, in response to the nuisance caused by dripping air conditioners in summer, it has adopted a new enforcement approach this year to proactively tackle multiple dripping air conditioner locations across Hong Kong.

     The FEHD pointed out that tackling the issue of dripping air conditioners currently faces multiple challenges. These include public unawareness of dripping air conditioners on their premises, the vast number of air conditioners across Hong Kong, a surge in complaints due to frequent usage in summer, which mostly occurs in the early morning or evening, the lack of communal drainage pipes in some buildings and improper connection of air conditioner pipes, which increases the likelihood of dripping, and the technical difficulties in tracing the source of dripping, which often originates from upper floors or is obscured from view. 

     To enhance efficiency, the FEHD adopted a new operational strategy this year. In addition to sustaining the effort in handling dripping air conditioner complaints as usual, FEHD officers proactively conducted "door-to-door" inspections and took enforcement action at about 300 key follow-up locations across districts. Furthermore, 30 dripping blackspots causing significant nuisance to the public, including bus stops and minibus stops, were targeted for intensified patrols.

     By leveraging innovative technology, the FEHD and the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM) under the Innovation and Technology Commission have jointly developed the Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System, which has achieved remarkable results while being used in all districts. Equipped with infrared night-vision recording, the system helps identify the source of dripping in low-light conditions. It resolved previous difficulties in investigations, significantly shortened the time required for investigation and evidence collection, and enabled preliminary assessments to be made without entering the premises. Furthermore, it enabled effective deployment of manpower for special operations in the early morning or evening, changing the previous allocation of 70 per cent of manpower for daytime investigations and 30 per cent for nighttime investigations to 30 per cent for daytime investigations and 70 per cent for nighttime investigations.

     In collaboration with various sectors to carry out publicity and education, the FEHD distributed leaflets and souvenirs and held publicity events in various districts of Hong Kong with members of the local community, including District Councillors. The FEHD also promoted knowledge of proper air conditioner maintenance through radio and social media. In parallel, the FEHD's Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners, which invites property management agents of private housing estates to assist in investigating dripping air conditioner complaints, has also made progress, with over 280 private housing estates participating and handling an average of over 4 000 cases annually. The FEHD is collaborating with the Property Management Services Authority to encourage more property management companies to join the scheme.

     As of August 24, the FEHD has handled approximately 5 200 dripping air conditioners, marking a 25 per cent increase over the same period last year and a threefold surge compared to the same period in 2023. Among the 30 dripping blackspots (involving 14 districts, over 160 buildings, and approximately 7 000 air conditioners) that seriously impacted public queuing for transport, the FEHD has handled cases involving approximately 1 000 air conditioners and significantly improved environmental hygiene.

     The FEHD will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to address the dripping problem of air conditioners and calls on all sectors to work together. Among them, property management companies should repair and maintain building drainage systems regularly, remind residents to check and repair their air conditioners, and citizens should also check their air conditioners regularly and take immediate action if water drips to prevent causing nuisance. 

Ends/Thursday, August 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:32

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