A TM44 air conditioning report is a legally mandated energy assessment for air conditioning systems with an effective rated output above 12kW in the UK. The inspection must be carried out by an accredited energy assessor at least once every five years. Failure to arrange a valid inspection when one is due can result in a £300 fine, which may be issued repeatedly until compliance is achieved.
Table of Contents
- What exactly is a TM44 air conditioning inspection?
- Which air conditioning systems need a TM44 report?
- How often must a TM44 inspection be carried out?
- Who is responsible for arranging a TM44 inspection?
- What are the penalties for not having a valid TM44 report?
- How can I check if my air conditioning system requires a TM44 inspection?
- What happens during a TM44 air conditioning inspection?
- Does a TM44 inspection replace routine air conditioning maintenance?
- Key Takeaways
- References
What exactly is a TM44 air conditioning inspection?
A TM44 air conditioning inspection is a statutory energy assessment of a building’s air conditioning system, carried out in accordance with the technical guidance set out in CIBSE TM44. According to CIBSE, this guidance is used for air conditioning inspections in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Gibraltar.
The inspection evaluates the system’s overall efficiency, identifies faults, and checks whether the installed capacity is appropriately sized for the building’s cooling load. According to GOV.UK, the purpose is to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, reduce operating costs and reduce carbon emissions.
The resulting report must include the system’s efficiency rating, any identified faults and suggested actions, the adequacy of equipment maintenance, and an assessment of whether the system size matches the cooling demand. ACI Reports confirms that there is no legal obligation to act on the recommendations made by the assessor.
Which air conditioning systems need a TM44 report?
All air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW must have a valid TM44 inspection report. According to GOV.UK, this threshold applies to the combined output of multiple units controlled by a single person, even if each individual unit is below 12kW.
The effective rated output is the maximum calorific output in kW stated by the manufacturer as delivered during continuous operation. TEAM Energy confirms that systems exceeding 12kW require a valid air conditioning inspection report and TM44 certificate.
For systems first put into service on or after 1 January 2008, the first inspection must have taken place within five years of that date. Larger systems with an effective rated output over 250kW had an earlier deadline of 4 January 2009. All systems over 12kW were required to have their first inspection by 4 January 2011, according to GOV.UK.
How often must a TM44 inspection be carried out?
A TM44 inspection must be carried out no more than five years apart. According to GOV.UK, air conditioning systems must be inspected every five years by an energy assessor to confirm they remain energy efficient.
The five-year countdown begins from the date the system was first put into service or from the date of the last valid inspection. GOV.UK states that inspections must be no more than five years apart.
Building owners and facilities managers should track the expiry date of their current report to avoid a lapse in compliance. A TM44 checker tool, such as the one referenced by TM44.uk, can help verify whether a certificate is still valid or has expired.
Who is responsible for arranging a TM44 inspection?
The person who controls the operation of the air conditioning system is responsible for arranging the TM44 inspection. According to GOV.UK, this is typically the building owner or facilities manager, who holds statutory obligations and duties of care related to the operation and maintenance of the system.
Tenants, employees, or other occupants who merely control a thermostat remotely are not responsible for arranging TM44 inspections. ACI Reports confirms this point explicitly.
In multi-occupier buildings, responsibility falls on the party that controls the system’s operation, which may vary depending on the terms of the lease agreement. The key test is operational control, not occupancy.
What are the penalties for not having a valid TM44 report?
Failure to arrange a TM44 inspection when one is due can lead to a statutory fine of £300. According to ACI Reports, this fine may be repeated weekly until a valid report is in place.
An additional fine of £200 applies for failure to provide an outstanding report within seven days of a formal request being made. This penalty is separate from the initial £300 fine for non-compliance.
GCI Limited notes that fines can apply to each “space” that is occupied and controlled. In a building with multiple separately controlled spaces, multiple penalties can therefore accumulate from a single enforcement action.
How can I check if my air conditioning system requires a TM44 inspection?
To determine whether an air conditioning system requires a TM44 inspection, first check the manufacturer’s rating plate attached to each unit. According to GOV.UK, the effective rated output is the maximum calorific output in kW stated by the manufacturer. The information may also be found in the operating and maintenance manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
Next, sum the effective rated outputs of all individual units that form a single system under common control. ACI Reports confirms that one or more air conditioning units controlled by a single person are considered a single system for the purposes of the regulations. If the combined output exceeds 12kW, a TM44 inspection is required.
CCA Environmental provides TM44 air conditioning reports and can help building owners determine whether their systems fall within the scope of the regulations. An assessor can review the installed equipment and confirm whether a statutory inspection is due.
What happens during a TM44 air conditioning inspection?
During a TM44 inspection, the assessor evaluates the performance of the air conditioning system and identifies potential improvements. According to ACI Reports, the assessor examines the unit or system’s performance against expected efficiency benchmarks.
The assessor reviews maintenance logs and checks whether the system’s capacity is appropriate for the building’s cooling demand. Socotec describes the TM44 inspection as a comprehensive assessment that must be carried out by a registered assessor.
The final report must include the system’s efficiency rating, any identified faults and suggested actions, the adequacy of equipment maintenance and functionality, and an assessment of whether the installed system size matches the required cooling load. GOV.UK sets out these reporting requirements.
Does a TM44 inspection replace routine air conditioning maintenance?
No, a TM44 inspection is a statutory energy assessment, not a servicing or repair visit. According to GOV.UK, the inspection is designed to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption, but it does not involve maintenance work.
Routine maintenance keeps the system operational and addresses wear and tear. A TM44 inspection evaluates efficiency and regulatory compliance, identifying potential improvements rather than carrying them out. ACI Reports confirms that there is no legal requirement to act on the assessor’s recommendations.
The TM44 inspection is also separate from F-Gas regulations, which govern refrigerant handling and leakage checks. GOV.UK notes that inspection under the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Regulations is outside the remit of the EPB Regulations.
Key Takeaways
- TM44 inspections are legally required every five years for air conditioning systems with an effective rated output exceeding 12kW.
- The inspection must be carried out by an accredited energy assessor, and the report must be kept as evidence of compliance.
- Failure to arrange a TM44 inspection can result in a £300 fine, which may be issued weekly until a valid report is in place.
- An additional £200 fine applies if an outstanding report is not provided within seven days of a request.
- The person who controls the operation of the system, usually the building owner or manager, is responsible for arranging the inspection.
- The TM44 report includes recommendations for improving efficiency, but acting on them is not a legal requirement.
- A TM44 inspection is distinct from routine maintenance and from F-Gas refrigerant leakage checks.
References
- A guide to air conditioning inspections in buildings – GOV.UK – Crown copyright 2024
- Do I Need a TM44 Inspection? Our Guide to Regulations – ACI Reports – 2024-09-04
- Get your air conditioning system inspected – GOV.UK
- TM44 Inspection of air conditioning systems (2012) – CIBSE – 2012
- TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections – Socotec
- TM44 Inspection Requirements & Regulations Guide – TEAM Energy
- TM44 Checker – Check if Your TM44 Certificate Is Valid, Expired or…
- Air-conditioning Inspections – TM44 – GCI Limited