Hong Kong residents face another summer of discomfort as AC temperature 'cutoff' delayed

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-06-27 22:44:40 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-27 21:41:11

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Hong Kong residents suffering through another scorching summer had hoped for relief this year. Local authorities have implemented a new "cutoff point" for air-conditioner temperatures, but residents are disappointed as the ruling is not implemented as promised. The government has now delayed the cutoff date until late August, allowing ACs to run at a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius until then. This decision has sparked criticism from many residents, who are concerned about the implications of this decision on their health and well-being.

Hong Kong regularly sees temperatures soar above 30 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels often over 70%. Recently, the city has seen extreme heatwaves, with temperatures hitting a record high of 36.1 degrees on Wednesday last week.

Many residents rely on air conditioning to cope with the extreme heat, and having ACs set to a colder temperature helps many battle the heat, especially those who work outside or in unstructured environments. However, this results in a tension between individual comfort and environmental sustainability.

The government cited the need to consider the electricity supply and the impact on the environment as reasons for the delayed implementation of the ruling. They also mentioned that they would start a public consultation on the Air Conditioning Energy Efficiency Ordinance, with a clearer roadmap and implementation plan in the fall.

This decision has sparked criticism from many residents, who are concerned about the implications of this decision on their health and well-being. Many have taken to social media to express their frustration with the continued delay in implementing the AC cutoff.

"Another summer of unbearable heat and discomfort awaits us," said one resident, speaking to local media outlets. "It feels like we're being pushed towards a bigger crisis between the heat and the pandemic, and the government's lack of action is causing frustration and worry among many residents."

"We need cooler temperatures to survive the unbearable heat, but I worry about the environmental impact of so many ACs running below 23 degrees," said another.

It remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved, but with temperatures set to soar in the coming days, the pressure is on authorities to find a solution, and quickly.

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