The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department will implement the 2015 edition of the Building Energy Code on Friday, requiring new buildings to enhance the basic energy efficiency standards of four major types of services installations: air-conditioning, electrical, lifts and escalators, and lighting.
Speaking after a media tour of the Trade & Industry Tower's green features today, department director Frank Chan said the new codes, which will take effect in September next year, can raise energy efficiency by at least 10%.
He also expects that for new buildings, the implementation of the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance will result in energy savings of five billion kWh in the first decade.
The tower has installed energy-saving features that comply with the new code, including escalators that go idle when there are no passengers, and solar sensors that dim the lights when there is enough sunlight.
Occupancy sensors have also be placed on the ceilings, which automatically switch lights off when an area has not been occupied for 15 minutes.
The building has also installed sensing devices in the car park to monitor when pollutants including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide hit a certain level, which triggers the ventilation system.
