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Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 109
selected shall be labelled as Grade 1 or 2 under the Government’s
energy efficiency labelling scheme for room coolers [2].
B
ACKGROUND
Due to the hot and humid weather, the majority of residential units in
Hong Kong are equipped with window-type air-conditioners. However,
the provisions made in the building envelope design for their installation
are often inadequate, particularly in the clearances for intake and
disposal of outdoor air for condenser cooling. Consequently, the air-
conditioners would consume an unnecessarily high amount of electricity
and at the same time output less cooling [3].
Proper location of air-conditioning units will improve internal operating
efficiency and comfort, and the efficiency of external heat rejection. Good
design of openings can improve the quality of air intake, reduce intrusion
of external noise, reduce nuisance to neighbours and provide for better
operation and maintenance.
For air-conditioning for residential buildings, wall boxes or platforms in
reinforced concrete or other suitable material may be constructed as a
permanent feature, even over streets, and as such may be excluded
from site coverage considerations [4].
2
Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, the Government of the Hong Kong SAR. The Hong Kong Voluntary Energy
Efficiency Labelling Scheme for Room Coolers.
http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/e_download/pee/eels_room_cooler_(jan_2003).pdf
3
Bojic M, Lee M, Yik F, Burnett J. Influence of clearances on the energy performance of window-type air-conditioners at the
same level outside residential buildings. Building and Environment 37 (2002) 713 – 726
4
Buildings Department. Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered
Geotechnical Engineers. PNAP No. APP-42 Amenity Features.
http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/documents/pnap/APP/APP042.pdf