However, the regulation of air conditioner noise requires a balance between minimising noise impacts and allowing people the comfort of using air conditioners during hot nights. During the early stakeholder consultation process, local government officers queried whether the current regulations were appropriate during periods of extreme heat. In some high-density buildings, for example, the only way for residents to maintain reasonable comfort levels is to use an air conditioner. In response to this feedback, EPA considered the following changes: Option 2A (i): Exemptions during Heat Health Alert periods the regulations would provide an – exemption to allow residents to use air conditioners on days when a Heat Health Alert has been declared by the Chief State Health Officer. Option 2A (ii): Reduce the prohibited hours for the use of air conditioners the prohibited hours – for air conditioners would be reduced, either generally or in specified areas (e.g. in mixed-use zones). Option 2A (iii): Combined approach: reduced prohibited hours and exemptions during Heat Health Alert periods a combination of Option 2A (i) and Option 2A (iii). – assessing the costs and benefits of the options, EPA proposes Option 2A (iii), the combined approach. Recommended approach After assessing the costs and benefits of the options, Option 2A (iii), the combined approach is proposed. The new regulations proposed would amend the prohibited hours for air conditioners to one hour later (see table below) and provide exemptions to prohibited hours during Heat Health Alerts. This would allow people to use their air conditioners for one hour more year-round, and during Heat Health Alerts, at any time. EPA considers the net benefits from this option would be larger than the other two options. The ability to operate air conditioners during times of extreme heat significantly improves occupant comfort and can even reduce health risks (i.e. due to heat stress). While an air conditioner may be audible in an adjacent dwelling, the intensity of the sound will often be significantly less than that of other noise sources, and the characteristic sound (a low hum) is not considered to be as annoying. Whilst air conditioner noise is currently one of the most complained about noise sources, there is a trend toward increasingly quiet electrical appliances. Option 2B: Amending concrete pour provisions
However, the regulation of air conditioner noise requires a balance between minimising noise impacts and allowing people the comfort of using air conditioners during hot nights. During the early stakeholder consultation process, local government officers queried whether the current regulations were appropriate during periods of extreme heat. In some high-density buildings, for example, the only way for residents to maintain reasonable comfort levels is to use an air conditioner. In response to this feedback, EPA considered the following changes: Option 2A (i): Exemptions during Heat Health Alert periods – the regulations would provide an exemption to allow residents to use air conditioners on days when a Heat Health Alert has been declared by the Chief State Health Officer. Option 2A (ii): Reduce the prohibited hours for the use of air conditioners – the prohibited hours for air conditioners would be reduced, either generally or in specified areas (e.g. in mixed-use zones). Option 2A (iii): Combined approach: reduced prohibited hours and exemptions during Heat Health Alert periods – a combination of Option 2A (i) and Option 2A (iii). assessing the costs and benefits of the options, EPA proposes Option 2A (iii), the combined approach. Recommended approach After assessing the costs and benefits of the options, Option 2A (iii), the combined approach is proposed. The new regulations proposed would amend the prohibited hours for air conditioners to one hour later (see table below) and provide exemptions to prohibited hours during Heat Health Alerts. This would allow people to use their air conditioners for one hour more year-round, and during Heat Health Alerts, at any time. EPA considers the net benefits from this option would be larger than the other two options. The ability to operate air conditioners during times of extreme heat significantly improves occupant comfort and can even reduce health risks (i.e. due to heat stress). While an air conditioner may be audible in an adjacent dwelling, the intensity of the sound will often be significantly less than that of other noise sources, and the characteristic sound (a low hum) is not considered to be as annoying. Whilst air conditioner noise is currently one of the most complained about noise sources, there is a trend toward increasingly quiet electrical appliances. Option 2B: Amending concrete pour provisions
1694_RIS_Residential_Noise_Regs_with_Regs_exposure_draft.docx