Yes, in most cases you do. Any air conditioning system in England and Wales with an effective rated output greater than 12kW must be inspected by an accredited energy assessor at least every five years, and the duty falls on whoever controls the system. The article below explains how to check whether a specific building is in scope, what the deadlines and penalties are, and what the inspection actually involves.
Table of Contents
- What is a TM44 air conditioning inspection?
- Does my air conditioning system need a TM44 inspection?
- When is the TM44 inspection due and how often must it be repeated?
- Who is responsible for arranging a TM44 inspection?
- What happens if you do not get a TM44 inspection?
- What does a TM44 inspection involve and what does the report include?
- How much energy can a TM44 inspection help you save?
- Key Takeaways
- References
What is a TM44 air conditioning inspection?
A TM44 air conditioning inspection is a statutory energy assessment carried out according to the CIBSE guidance document TM44 Inspection of air conditioning systems, 2012 edition. The guidance is used for air conditioning inspections in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Gibraltar, according to CIBSE.
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The inspection is visual and non-invasive, with no dismantling of equipment required, according to ACI Reports. An accredited assessor examines the whole system and produces a report covering any faults found and suggested actions, the adequacy of installed controls, and the size of the installed system in relation to cooling load, according to SOCOTEC.
The assessment also considers air handling equipment and building factors that may affect air conditioning efficiency, such as glazing and other heating and lighting systems, according to SOCOTEC.
Does my air conditioning system need a TM44 inspection?
Yes, if the system has an effective rated output greater than 12kW. All air conditioning systems above that threshold must be regularly inspected by an energy assessor, according to GOV.UK.
Individual units each under 12kW can still be in scope. Systems consisting of individual units each less than 12kW, but whose combined effective rated output is more than 12kW, are affected by the regulations, according to GOV.UK. One or more air conditioning units within a single building controlled by a single person are considered a single air conditioning system for the purposes of the regulations.
Individual systems with a combined rated output of less than 12kW are exempt from the inspection process, according to GOV.UK. Individual systems in separate buildings cannot be grouped together to create a combined rated output greater than 12kW and included in a single report. Only when buildings share plant can they be combined under a single report.
The effective output of an individual unit can be found on the rating plate attached to it, in the operating and maintenance manual, or on the manufacturer’s website, according to ACI Reports.
When is the TM44 inspection due and how often must it be repeated?
Inspections must be no more than five years apart, and the TM44 report is valid for five years, according to GOV.UK and ACI Reports. The first inspection is required within five years of the date the system or part of a system was first put into service, according to GOV.UK.
Legacy deadlines applied to systems already in service when the regulations took effect. For systems with an effective rated output of more than 250kW, the first inspection must have taken place by 4 January 2009. For other systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW, the first inspection must have taken place by 4 January 2011, according to ACI Reports.
The inspection process must consider the whole system, including parts of the system that are less than five years old, according to GOV.UK.
Who is responsible for arranging a TM44 inspection?
The duty sits with the person who controls the air conditioning system. It is not the responsibility of tenants, employees, or other occupants who control the thermostat by remote to arrange TM44 inspections, according to ACI Reports.
The person who controls the system must arrange the inspection and keep the report available for inspection upon request, according to GOV.UK and ACI Reports.
The GOV.UK guidance applies to England and Wales, according to GOV.UK. Duty holders in Scotland and Northern Ireland should check the devolved rules that apply in those jurisdictions.
What happens if you do not get a TM44 inspection?
Failure to arrange a TM44 inspection when due can lead to a statutory fine of £300, which may be repeated weekly until a valid report is in place, according to ACI Reports. There is an additional fine of £200 for failure to provide an outstanding report within seven days of a request being made.
Reports must be lodged statutorily in England and Wales. Statutory lodgement of air conditioning inspection reports was required in England and Wales from 6 April 2012 under amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007, according to CIBSE. Any form of mechanical ventilation serving a conditioned zone requires the report to be lodged at Level 4, according to GOV.UK.
CCA Environmental arranges, carries out and lodges TM44 inspection reports, keeping duty holders compliant with the regulations.
What does a TM44 inspection involve and what does the report include?
A registered or accredited Air Conditioning System Assessor conducts a visual, non-invasive inspection of the whole system, according to SOCOTEC. TM44 covers fixed air conditioning systems using refrigerants, including single split systems, multi-split systems, VRF/VRV systems and central chillers, according to ACI Reports.
The TM44 report includes any faults identified during inspection and suggested actions, the adequacy of installed control, and the size of the installed system in relation to cooling load, according to SOCOTEC. The assessment also includes inspection of air handling equipment and building factors that may affect air conditioning efficiency, such as glazing and other heating and lighting systems.
Reports are lodged at Level 4 where mechanical ventilation serves a conditioned zone, according to GOV.UK.
How much energy can a TM44 inspection help you save?
Poorly maintained air conditioning systems can use up to 60% more energy than necessary, according to ACI Reports. A TM44 inspection identifies the faults and control inadequacies that cause that waste.
The report also assesses whether the installed system is oversized relative to the cooling load, a common cause of unnecessary energy use, according to SOCOTEC. Building factors such as glazing, heating and lighting are considered as part of the assessment, giving a fuller efficiency picture.
A TM44 inspection is therefore a five-yearly efficiency check, not just a compliance box. The report gives duty holders a practical list of actions that can reduce energy consumption and running costs.
Key Takeaways
- Air conditioning systems with an effective rated output over 12kW must be inspected by an accredited energy assessor at least every five years.
- Individual units under 12kW each can still be in scope if their combined output exceeds 12kW and one person controls them.
- The first inspection is due within five years of the system being put into service, and the report is valid for five years.
- Failing to arrange an inspection can attract a £300 fine, potentially repeated weekly, plus £200 for not producing a report within seven days of a request.
- Responsibility rests with whoever controls the system, not tenants or occupants who adjust thermostats.
- TM44 inspections are visual and non-invasive, covering faults, controls and system sizing against cooling load.
- Poorly maintained air conditioning can use up to 60% more energy than necessary.