Development of energy labels for residential buildings in Hong Kong

Abstract

To promote energy efficiency for residential buildings in Hong Kong, a research has been conducted to investigate the characteristics of energy consumption in the residential buildings and develop a suitable energy labelling system for assessing the building energy performance. The aims of the research are to review worldwide experience, study the feasibility of establishing building energy labels in Hong Kong, and evaluate the key factors for design and implementation of the building energy labels. The experience in Europe, North America, Australia, Singapore and China has been studied. It is found that appliance energy labels are widely used in many countries; they are effective policy instruments to help increase awareness and overcome the market barriers. Some countries have extended them and developed energy labels for buildings. In Europe, with the launch of the European Union (EU) Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings, energy certificates and labels are being set up to grade buildings in terms of energy performance. Similar approach is being taken by USA, mainland China and other countries. The characteristics of energy consumption of typical residential buildings in Hong Kong have been analyzed. An energy equation for assessing energy consumption of high-rise residential buildings has been established by building energy simulation method and practical design assessment. The final form of the energy equation includes six major factors, namely, HVAC coefficient of performance, window shading, lighting power density, hot water intensity, other appliance intensity and refrigerator energy.