New edition of Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation and Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit gazetted

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (November 16) gazetted the 2018 Edition of the Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation (BEC) and Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit (EAC), pursuant to section 40 of the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (BEEO), to further enhance the energy efficiency of buildings to help combat climate change.
 
     Following the enactment of the BEEO in 2012, the EMSD promulgated the BEC and EAC in the same year. The Codes of Practice are reviewed every three years to ensure that they can keep pace with the times. During the review process, the EMSD consults the relevant major stakeholders including professional institutions, trade associations, academics and the relevant Government departments and keeps abreast of the latest technology advancement and the development of the international standards and practice on energy efficiency.
 
     The new edition of the BEC uplifts the energy efficiency standards and requirements of air-conditioning, lighting, electrical, and lift and escalator installations, resulting in a more than 18 per cent improvement compared with the 2012 edition. By the end of the coming decade, the implementation of the BEEO is expected to bring about an energy saving of some 27 billion kWh from both new buildings and existing buildings in Hong Kong, equivalent to the total annual electricity consumption of about 5.8 million households and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of about 19 million tonnes. The new edition of the EAC imposes more stringent requirements on the technical aspects and the details on the carrying out of energy audits under the Ordinance.
 
     The new editions of the BEC and EAC will take effect on May 16 and August 16 next year respectively. For more details about the Ordinance and the two Codes of Practice, please visit the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk/beeo).