Hong Kong sees over 31,000 complaints about leaking air conditioners in 2023

Hong Kong authorities received over 31,000 complaints about water dripping from air conditioning units last year, the highest in two decades.

According to statistics released by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on Wednesday, authorities saw 31,135 reports of leaking air conditioners in 2023.

The figure is the highest since 2004, the earliest that statistics could be found. That year, authorities received 10,116 complaints. By 2014, the figure had risen to 19,722.

Since 2015, the number of complaints received annually has ranged from 20,600 to more than 30,000.

In a written response to lawmaker Priscilla Leung’s question, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said the FEHD would follow up after receiving complaints and also does routine inspections.

The department had also been carrying out “territory-wide publicity and education work” on the prevention and handling of leaking air conditioners, Tse said.

According to the FEHD, leaking air conditioners can be caused by problems including improper installation, blocked drain holes and loose pipe connections.

Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, letting water drip from your air conditioner is an offence. Those who fail to act upon the department’s “nuisance notices” are liable for a maximum penalty of HK$10,000 and a daily fine of HK$200.

If the problem persists, the FEHD can apply to the court for a “nuisance order,” and those found guilty of not complying with such an order are liable to a fine of HK$25,000 and a daily fine of HK$450.

Last year, a total of 3,032 nuisance notices were issued. No applications for nuisance orders were made to the court.

According to the FEHD, Eastern District saw the most complaints of leaking air conditioners last year, at 3,475. It was followed by Sha Tin, Kwun Tong and Yuen Long.

Islands District saw the fewest complaints at 207.

The number of nuisance notices handed out by the department has fluctuated in recent years, peaking at 4,664 in 2019 and falling to 2,702 in 2022. Last year, 3,032 nuisance notices were issued.

A total of 61 prosecutions were made last year, with the fines ranging from HK$500 to HK$2,500.

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