Preserved content from the existing Yee page.
Air conditioning systems are subject to compliance regulations and anyone who manages or controls a system must observe their legal obligations to avoid a fine for non- compliance. For businesses with systems over 12 kW a TM44 Certificate is required. To obtain a TM44 Certificate, an inspection and report is required from an independent energy assessor. This must be done every 5 years and is designed to monitor and report how energy efficient the installed air-conditioning system is.
The TM44 was introduced as part of the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 and was amended in 2020. The first inspection should take place 5 years after installation, however this might be much sooner if your business has moved into new premises or acquired a building with air conditioning. In this case, a TM44 inspection must be conducted within three months of occupation.
The report is valuable for a business owner because the feedback will offer energy saving opportunities that don’t usually require financial investment
TM44 assessments consider the operation of the air conditioning system in situ in a business and the recommendations made are focussed squarely on improvements in energy efficiency. The assessor evaluates the system’s controls and settings, flaws in the design and maintenance needs, all of which help to reduce electricity consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions.
The TM44 was introduced as part of the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 and was amended in 2020. The first inspection should take place 5 years after installation, however this might be much sooner if your business has moved into new premises or acquired a building with air conditioning. In these cases, a TM44 inspection must be conducted within three months of occupation.
The TM44 inspection legislation applies to single large-scale air conditioning units with an output of 12kW and to individual units that together reach or exceed a combined effective rated output of 12kW.
The assessment is very extensive however the main objective is to review the whole system including the control settings. It includes an appraisal of whether the air conditioning system is adequate and effective for the square footage to be cooled.
Because the assessor is reviewing the system in operation and in situ, they will be able to report recommendations for improvements in energy efficiency with a view to reducing electricity consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions. The energy assessor will be able to recommend improvements in the controls and settings, spot any flaws in the system design and comment on maintenance needs. This is valuable to a business owner since not all the recommendations will require additional financial investment.
The short answer is yes if you match the criteria, and it is the best way to avoid a fine for non-compliance. Remember it also offers significant benefits in terms of insights into possible energy savings and reduced costs. Using less energy helps the environment.
In most case no, inspections can be conducted while systems are running normally.
TM44 inspections are required by law every 5 years, this only applies to systems of 12kW or greater. Remember you must commission a TM44 inspection within three months of occupation of a new building or premises.
A good practice inspection and maintenance guide can be found in the CIBSE TM44 guidance (or similar equivalent guidance).
- TM44 Inspection of air conditioning systems Home » TM44 Inspection of air conditioning systems
