Street Survey: Over 500 responses to household air conditioning usage

30% respondents woken up by freezing temperatures – Energy Label not popularized enough

Citizens should choose and use air conditioners more wisely

No Air Con Night 2017 encourages energy saving and smart use of air con

Local green group Green Sense has long been paying close attention to environmental issues in the urban area. Multiple scientific surveys has been conducted on both individual and organizational misuse of air conditioning in order to urge Hong Kong to reduce its electricity consumption and carbon emission. Surveys and researches examining air conditioning systems in various transport means and public places such as shopping malls were done throughout this decade. As a part of the annual event No Air Con Night 2017, in August we have conducted street questionnaires at 5 of the most bustling locations over the city, in hope of shedding some light on citizens’ habits of air con usage at home.

A total of 507 responses were collected, with information including clothing choices and sleeping quality in an air conditioned household, the frequency and duration of air con usage, and the reasons and concerns of using air conditioners.

Background

In 2016 alone, Hong Kong consumed an astounding 14.4 billion kWh of electricity, accounting for 8.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Shall the city strive to relieve climate change and lower its carbon emissions, it would be important to reduce power consumption and use air conditioners smartly.

In summer, citizens mostly stay in air-conditioned environments, including offices, classrooms, public transport and entertainment facilities. These public areas, however, do not allow the adjustment of indoor temperature by the public themselves. As a result, we conducted a survey last year about shopping mall temperatures in the form of street questionnaires and on-site measurement, and discovered that some shopping malls still possessed a low indoor temperature. The huge difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures can be detrimental to public health, and is a large waste of electricity as well.

On the contrary, at home citizens are capable of controlling air conditioners at will according to their own needs and feelings. Hence it is the question of whether they are using air con wisely to improve sleeping quality or abusing. We wish, at the same time, to raise awareness of air con use with this survey.

Methodology

In August, 2017, we, with the help of volunteers, conducted street questionnaires in 5 places spanning all of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, namely Central, Mong Kok, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin and Tai Po. A total of 507 valid responses were collected. All results and graphs are available here.

Results

Valid responses amounted to 507. The target group of the survey was Hong Kong residents. Summaries of responses of the 13 questions in the questionnaire are as follows:

1. (Q1) Over 90% of respondents turn on air-conditioners because the weather is too hot; close to 30% do so to improve sleeping quality; around a tenth use air con for dehumidification. We suggest using a dehumidifier instead for such purpose.
2. (Q2) Nearly half of the respondents selected ‘expensive electricity bill’ as a main reason of not turning on their air con. A quarter chose ‘carbon emission’ as a main concern; and another 25% chose health concerns such as drying of the skin and respiratory allergies as reasons to avoid turning on air con.
3. (Q3) Almost half of the respondents adjust the temperature setting of their air con to a suitable 24-26 degrees C, while 40% adjust the temperature to 22-24 degrees C.
4. (Q4) The peak of air con usage was found to be in July to August, during which over 90% of respondents turn on their air con.
5. (Q5) 73.9% of respondents utilize their air con every day in summer.
6. (Q6) 42% of respondents turning on air con for 5-8 hours per day, and the proportion for 9-12 hours per day reached 32%.
7. (Q7 to Q9) Among those who set their air con temperature to 22-24 degrees C, 35% has experienced waking up due to the room being too cold. The same experience was found in 32% of those who set their air con temperature to 24-26 degrees C. These figures reveal that there is room for improvement in using air conditioning. Specifically, temperature should be set higher, in order not to fail the purpose of improving sleeping quality. This helps save energy and reduce emissions as well.
8. (Q10) It has been many years since the Hong Kong government launched the Energy Label Scheme. Moreover, in 2009, it became compulsory for air conditioners to carry energy labels. However, we found that more than 40% of citizens do not know which energy efficiency grade their air conditioners belong to. This shows more promotion on the scheme by the government is necessary. We further remind the public to select Grade 1 air conditioners for maximum energy efficiency, and refer to data such as energy consumption level when purchasing.
9. (Q11) Just about all respondents turn off their air con when there is no one at home; 66% clean the filters of their air conditioners regularly; 54% use fans to assist in cooling and turn off air conditioning earlier than necessary to make use of residual cool air instead. Unfortunately, only 13.6% set timers to their air conditioners, and only 16.1% use cooling mats. We encourage the public to use cooling mats and to use fans to facilitate air movement in the flat instead of turning on air con for long periods of time.
10. (Q12-Q13) These questions concern the sex and age group of the respondents.

Conclusions and suggestions

When problems like climate change and extreme weather conditioners become more serious, Hong Kong, as a coastal city, is bound to bear the brunt of the damage. This survey thus aims to raise public concern of air con use, and to stress the fact that our daily habits play an important role in affecting global climate.

Compared with previous similar studies, there has been improvement in people’s choice of clothing and bed covers. However, as reflected by 30% of respondents being woken up by the cold, there is undoubtedly room to further raise indoor temperature and use air con more wisely, to avoid wasting energy. Despite being in air conditioned environments most of the time, 40% of residents remain ignorant of the energy label grade of their air conditioners. Other than reflecting the energy efficiency of appliances, energy labels also serve as an indicator of the electricity cost of said appliances. We thus urge the public to select Grade 1 appliances and purchase according to their own household conditions (flat size, number of family members, etc). In addition, we further hope the public would use air con more wisely, such as wearing lighter clothing, adjusting the temperature setting to a more reasonable level, using cooling mats and fans more, and setting timers. These habits can lead to a reduction in the dependence to air conditioning.

Follow-up actions

• We have recently voiced our demands of promoting energy saving habits to governmental officials in the 2017-18 Policy Address Consultation session.
• We shall continue to examine and monitor the public air con usage, and carry out further studies when necessary.
• Results of the survey would be widely promoted in our annual energy saving event No Air Con Night along with the message and related information of using air conditioners smartly
• Through various forms of environmental education, we shall continue to emphasize and promote the importance of wise air con use and energy saving

Event Summary

Thanks to all parties supporting the 7^th Hong Kong No Air Con Night on 7^th October

Over 80 thousands families pledged to switch off air-con to reduce carbon emission

Hong Kong people switched off air con together to ease the climate change

Green Sense has carried out series of surveys on air conditioning. According to the survey last month, the abuse of air con is still severe. Air conditioning can account for 60% of electricity consumption in summer (July to August) and about 30% of the total consumption throughout the year.

Hong Kong No Air Con Night is an annual energy saving event held by Green Sense. Participants pledged to switch off the air con at home from 7pm on 7th Oct to 7am the next day. The event also urged people to reduce air con usage in daily life in order to break free from the air con and rethink how to use the energy and other resources wisely.

It is especially meaningful this year for two reasons. Not only in response to the agreement for setting a goal of limiting global warming to no more than 2°C in Conference of the Parties 21 (COP21), but also the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds the threshold of 400ppm. Global warming is an imminent problem to all creatures on Earth. Hong Kong Government and citizens should take action to save energy to tackle the climate change.

This campaign acquired full support from different parties. Environmental Protection Department and Hongkong Post have supported this event for consecutive years. Other government departments and public organizations such as Hong Kong Observatory, Water Supplies Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and Estate Agents Authority also showed their supports this year. Moreover, 12 Legco councilors and dozens of district council members joined No Air Con Night. Several political parties also joined this campaign to encourage citizens in different districts to turn off the air con.

Dr. Lee Lok Sze (Polar Explorer), Prof. Way Kuo (President and University Distinguished Professor, City University of Hong Kong), Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong (President, The Open University of Hong Kong), Prof. Lam Chiu Ying (Adjunct Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Prof. C.Y. Jim (Chair Professor of Geography, The University of Hong Kong) and Mr. James Hong, Akio (Travel Column Writer) are in the celebrity list. Prof. Ho Kin Chung (Dean, Science & Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong) and Professor Chan King Ming (Programme Director, Environmental Science, School of Life Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) were the guests of honour in No Air Con Night 2016 Turn-off ceremony.

43 Universities and Higher Education Institutes and 292 schools (55 secondary schools, 124 primary schools, 1 special school and 112 kindergartens) took part in No Air Con Night.. There were thousands of teachers and students joined this campaign to experience and practice green living. Some schools also held different kinds of energy-saving activities such as switching off air con during school time in response to this campaign.

No Air Con Night was also supported by over 200 companies and organizations which promote this campaign to their staff. Over 700 buildings also encourage residents and tenants to join. Some property management companies even turned off air-con at some areas of buildings and estates.

According to the Hong Kong No Air Con Night 2016 registration website, there were over 80 thousands families and universities hall mates pledged to turn off the air con on No Air Con Night. As the weather become cooler in October, there might be many other unregistered families who also turn off the air con that night. The reduction of carbon emission and the heat to outdoor can be reduced as long as the importance of Less Air Con is established.

Green Sense is satisfied with the outcome and participation rate. We aim to arouse people to rethink their life style and understand the importance of saving energy from the increasing electricity consumption. This campaign also provided a chance for all citizens to reduce carbon emission in daily life.

The No Air Con Night 2016 Turn-off Ceremony was held again at Kwun Tong Promenade “Fly the Flyover 01″ this year. Other than the Moonlight Workshop, organic agriculture sharing, organic rice sharing and music concert cum movie screening were carried out. At that night, a hundred of people enjoyed workshops, music, movie and nature breeze together. The movie, Anachronic, showed the controversy between Macau development and light pollution which drove the audience to think about similar environmental problems in HK.

Green Sense hopes all had some good times on the No Air Con Night and were aware of the message of environmental protection. In order to reduce the waste production in holding activities, most of the material utilized in workshops were recycled and reused. Moreover, some workshops required participants to bring their own tools to avoid using disposable materials. At that night, ‘No Air Con Night’ reduced the temperature of the Earth as well as the pollution.

Part of the Celebrity List :

Prof. Way Kuo (President and University Distinguished Professor, City University of Hong Kong)

Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong, JP (President, The Open University of Hong Kong)

Prof. Lam Chiu Ying (Adjunct Professor of the Department of Geography and Resources Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Prof. C.Y. Jim (Chair Professor of Geography, The University of Hong Kong)

Dr. Rebecca Lee Lok Sze, MH (Polar Museum Foundation Ltd. Founder)

Mr. Shun Chi Ming, JP  (Director of the HK Observatory)

Mr. James Hong, Akio (Travel Column Writer)

Mr. Mark, Mak Chi Ho (Animal Conservator)

Hon CHAN Hak-kan, BBS, JP

Hon. KWOK Wai-keung

Hon. WONG Ting-kwong, SBS, JP

Hon. HUI Chi-fung

Hon. OR Chong-shing, Wilson, MH

Dr. Hon. YIU Chung-yim

Hon. IP Kin-yuen

Hon. YIU Si-wing, BBS

Hon. Jeremy TAM Man-ho

Dr. Hon. Pierre Chan

Hon. Sixtus LEUNG Chung-hang

Hon. TSE Wai Chun, Paul

More about the event and Moonlight workshop, please refer to http://greensense.org.hk/noaircon

A survey about indoor temperature (air conditioning) was conducted over 10 shopping malls. A total of 486 customers’ feedback on air-conditioning in those malls was also collected via questionnaires. The results revealed 9 out of 10 malls being measured do not conform to the temperature range stated in “Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature”. By comparing to the results of the questionnaires, it is also suggested that customers may not necessarily feel more comfortable in lower temperatures. It is the time for the shopping mall management to drop the idea “colder the better” and take customers’ actual feeling with environmental consideration into their temperature management plan.

Green Sense is a local green group focusing on urban environmental and planning issues. We have investigated and reported about air-con abuse situations in public transport and public space, in order to promote energy saving and ultimately reduce carbon emissions in Hong Kong. Green Sense had previously conducted a shopping mall air con survey in 2008.

Coincides with the upcoming “No Air-Con Night 2016” event, air-con survey of shopping malls were conducted in the last two months. The survey consists of two parts: 1) a standardized measurement of average indoor temperature of 10 shopping malls and 2) 486 questionnaires were collected by to reflect customers’ actual thermal feelings of indoor temperature in those malls.

This survey integrated “objective” temperature data and “subjective” felling of customers which is useful to explain why the malls should improve, and provide a better and reasonable framework for indoor temperature management.

Background

Electricity generation is accounted for about 68% of Hong Kong’s total carbon emissions. If we are really eager to slow down climate change by reducing carbon emissions, cutting down electricity usage is of utmost importance. As air conditioning is the biggest electricity consumer in buildings, Green Sense believes that the problem of air con abuse is worth exploring.

In 2012, Environment Bureau introduced “Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature” which aimed to encourage buildings, organizations and companies to pledge “to maintain an average indoor temperature of between 24 – 26°C in the summer months from June to September”.

Methodology

Phase One: About 30 shopping malls were sampled randomly for preliminary indoor temperature measurement in July 2016. It was then narrowed down to 10 shopping malls based on the result of preliminary measurement, previous survey results, whether the mall had joined the Charter and their establish time.

Phase Tw0: The 10 malls were subjected to detail temperature measurement in accordance with the measurement guideline set out by the Environment Bureau. Questionnaire interview was also conducted for each selected mall.

Analysis

Part I. The “Objective” Part – Indoor Temperature Data

1. The overall situation is slightly improved when compared to the survey result in 2008. However, the average temperature of 10 malls was measured at only 22.8℃, which 9 out of 10 malls were measured with average temperature lower than 24℃ as stated in the charter (24-26℃).
2. The lowest average indoor temperature (21.7℃) was recorded at Lions Rise Mall; whereas the lowest measured single spot temperature (19.8℃) was recorded at YOHO mall.
3. A significant difference between outdoor temperature and indoor temperature could build up (maximum difference measured: 11.8℃) which may bring discomfort to and affect health of customers.

Part II. The “Subjective” Part – Questionnaire

There were total 486 valid questionnaires. Respondents were the customers leaving the 10 selected shopping malls. The questionnaires contained 10 questions about feedback of indoor temperature of the mall.

Q1. What do you feel in this mall? (Rate: -3 “too cold” to 0 “comfortable” to 3 “too hot”)

59% of respondents thought it was comfortable. Although there is not serious complaint about the temperature, the weight average -0.5 reflects a general remark of “too cold” in the shopping malls.

Q2. How satisfied are you with the indoor temperature of this mall? (Rate: 1 “very dissatisfied” to 5 “very satisfied”)

The respondents are generally satisfied with the indoor temperature. However, a specific relationship cannot be concluded between customer satisfaction and the respective mall indoor temperature.

For the mall recorded with the highest average temperature (The Landmark at 24.1^oC) and the coldest (Lion Rise Mall at 21.7^oC), both malls were also said to be acceptable (average rating 3.39 and 3.36 respectively). It suggests the tolerance of indoor temperature of customers is ranged, and there should be other factors other than temperature which have effect on customers’ satisfaction.

Q3. Which indoor temperature do you feel the most comfortable?

24^oC received highest number of votes. 24^oC and 25^oC were the first two prior choices which accounted for more than half of (57%) respondents.

Considering (Q2) the customers well accept 24^oC as comfortable temperature and (Q3) the respondents also perceive 24^oC-25^oC as the most comfortable indoor temperature, and further taking importance of environmental concerns in account, Green Sense believes that it is reasonable to request shopping malls keeping their indoor temperature between (24^oC-26^oC) as stated by the Charter.

Q4. Does indoor temperature affect your will of shopping? (Rate: 0 “no effect” to 4 “severe effect”)

73% of respondents said indoor temperature does affect their will of shopping. The result suggests an economic incentive for the shopping malls to adjusting the indoor temperature within customer “comfortable zone”.

Q5. If you feel “too cold” in a mall, what will you do?

About one-third of respondents would leave the mall immediately, which is related to the business of the shopping malls.

Apart from it, only 17% of customers would inform the customer service/ mall staff for the over cold temperature, which could be a result of the thinking “it is not effective by only individual complaints/ the customer service is not going to reflect my view”.

Q6. Compared with the summer 5 years ago, how do you feel about this summer? (Rate: colder to hotter)

Most of the respondents agree this summer is hotter than that of 5 years ago.

Q7. Do you know what ‘Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature’ is?

61% did not know about it.

Q8. Do you know what “thermal comfort” is?

61% did not know about it.

Q9&10. Respondents’ gender and age.

Conclusions

In recent years, global climate change has become more severe. Extreme weather occurs more frequently and Hong Kong will inevitably subject to its effect. We aim to remind the public and community to take prompt action in order to face the challenges arose from climate change.

The survey results indicated some malls still wastes much power by unnecessarily keeping their indoor temperature as low as 21^oC, much lower that the 24^oC-26^oC temperature range suggested by the Charter. From the feedback from customers it is also suggested that temperature is not the sole factor of making people comfortable. Since people feel and perceive 24℃-25℃ is the most comfortable temperature range, shopping malls should raising their indoor temperature to such range so as to comfort their customers and save energy at the same.

Green Sense urges properties management companies to prevent abusing air-con and drop the believe “colder the better”. A wise temperature management can relief strain on environment, improve customer satisfaction and bring economic benefits.

Suggestions

Temperature is merely one of the several factors affecting how the customer really feels (“Thermal comfort”). Instead of lowering the indoor temperature (which is the most energy and money consuming way) to comfort the customers, it would be more wise to work on other thermal comfort factors such as ventilation and humidity. Closer collaboration between property managements, academic field and green groups are urged to provide stronger support for environmental friendly indoor temperature control schemes.

Follow-ups

• Contacting the management companies to discuss what should be done to comply with the Charter.
• Urging Environment Bureau to strengthen the promotion and supervision of the Charter.
• Enhancing the education about wise air-con using.
• Continuing to study how thermal comfort to be fully considering in controlling indoor temperature and hence to reduce power consumption.
• Civil – Commercial Cooperation: Long-term monitoring of the public feeling about the indoor temperature (e.g. questionnaire / mobile app); an incentive monitoring program on indoor temperature.

Despite Hong Kong’s natural subtropical climate, it is not unusual to see people wearing jackets and coats indoors. Arctic blasts of cold air from restaurants and malls that leave their AC on continuously can be felt even from the streets. The territory-wide wasteful and hazardous overuse of air conditioning has become so normalized that it is not receiving proper attention as a public health problem. Hong Kong only passes about 10% of the World Health Organization’s standards for clean air, and the abuse of air conditioning is a major source of contamination.

It can be difficult to discuss cutting air conditioner use in the summer. In moderation, air conditioning can offer relief from sweltering heat waves and help prevent faintness and heat stroke. However, overusing it comes with health risks of its own. Air conditioning aggravates air pollution in enclosed spaces. Dirty filters spread pesticides, allergens, mercury, and particulate matter that can cause asthma, lung infections, and heart attacks. The increased CO2 levels from overuse of air conditioning also cause dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. On the street, the ever-present dripping from broken AC units overhead creates puddles of polluted water that host harmful bacteria and spread infectious illnesses.

Air conditioning can account for as much as 30% of total electricity usage in Hong Kong. In order to meet this demand, power plants burn fossil fuels and emit clouds of pollutants into the atmosphere. This massive energy guzzling consumption has a huge impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Hong Kong suffers from the urban heat island effect, which means that urbanized areas of Hong Kong are consistently hotter than outlying areas as a result of pollution generated by human activity. These heat traps create more demand for AC use and generate more waste, further driving up temperatures and corrupting air quality. It is time to time to break free from this vicious cycle and come together to save our environment!

Let’s join the No Air Con Night 2016 for cooling the Earth!

SIGN UP NOW http://greensense.org.hk/noaircon