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Comfort cooling · Commercial and public buildings
Air-Conditioning Inspections (TM44)
Air-conditioning systems over 12kW must be inspected by an accredited energy assessor at least every five years. Vital carries out TM44 inspections nationwide and can tell you whether your system is in scope.
Status
Law
Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, England and Wales
Applies to
Over 12kW
Effective rated output of the system, not the size of the building
Interval
5 years
Or within 5 years of a system first put into service after 1 Jan 2008
Penalty
£300
For failing to have a required inspection, England and Wales
The Law
The regulations here are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent inspection requirements with the same 12kW trigger. Vital works across all four nations.
Under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, air-conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW must be inspected by an accredited energy assessor at intervals of no more than five years. These inspections are commonly known as TM44 inspections or Air-Conditioning Inspection Reports (ACIRs).
The purpose of the inspection is to assess the system's energy performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption and potentially lower operating costs.
Air-conditioning inspections are part of the Government's current review of the energy performance of buildings regime, with a further response expected during 2026. Any changes are not yet law.
Does your building need a TM44 inspection?
The requirement is based on the effective rated output of the air-conditioning system, rather than the size of the building.
If several individual air-conditioning units operate as part of a system under common control, their effective rated outputs may need to be considered together. A number of smaller units can take the overall system above the 12kW threshold.
Air-conditioning systems requiring inspection are found in many types of commercial and public buildings, including:
- Offices
- Retail premises and shopping centres
- Hotels and leisure facilities
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Healthcare buildings
- Industrial and warehouse premises
- Public-sector buildings
- Multi-let commercial properties
If you are unsure of the total cooling capacity of your system, Vital can help establish whether an inspection is required.
Who is responsible?
The legal responsibility normally rests with the person who controls the operation of the air-conditioning system. This may be the building owner, landlord, tenant, facilities manager or another person, depending on the arrangements in place.
In a multi-let building, the landlord may be responsible for a central system serving the building, while a tenant may be responsible for separate equipment serving its own premises.
If responsibility for a system changes and a valid inspection report is not passed to the new responsible person, an inspection must be arranged within three months.
How often is an inspection required?
A qualifying system must be inspected at intervals of no more than five years.
For a qualifying system first put into service on or after 1 January 2008, the first inspection must take place within five years of the system being put into service.
If you have recently taken responsibility for a building or system and cannot find a previous inspection report, establish whether an inspection is due.
Failure to have a required inspection can result in a £300 penalty in England and Wales.
What does a TM44 inspection involve?
A TM44 inspection is not the same as routine servicing or maintenance. The accredited energy assessor reviews the air-conditioning system and its operation, including:
- The efficiency and operation of the system
- Controls and their operation
- Whether the system is appropriately sized
- How the system is being operated
- Opportunities to improve energy efficiency
- Potential measures to reduce energy consumption and operating costs
The inspection produces an Air-Conditioning Inspection Report setting out the findings and recommendations. You are not legally required to implement every recommendation, but the report gives a practical basis for improving the efficiency and operation of the system.
Which systems are exempt?
The regulations apply to air-conditioning systems used for comfort cooling. Systems used solely for processes, rather than to provide comfort cooling for occupants, are generally outside the scope of the inspection requirement.
If you are unsure whether your system is covered, Vital can advise you.
Nationwide air-conditioning inspections
Vital provides TM44 air-conditioning inspection services nationwide for commercial and public-sector buildings. Whether you are a landlord, tenant, facilities manager or property owner, we can establish whether your system requires inspection, arrange the assessment and provide a clear report of the findings and recommendations.
Talk to the Vital team
0345 111 7700
info@vitaldirect.co.uk
Not sure of your system's total output or when it was last inspected? Tell us what you know and we will work out whether an inspection is due.
Request a quote
Official sources
Cooling is often the biggest line on the bill
Energy Performance Certificates
The cooling system in a commercial building is one of the services that drives its EPC rating. A TM44 report and an EPC are often commissioned together, and the findings from one inform the other.
If the building is being sold, let or newly built, it will also need a valid EPC.
Inspect the system. Rate the building.
About commercial EPCs
- EPC required on construction, sale or letting
- Cooling, heating, lighting and fabric all feed the rating
- One visit can cover both where practical
- Improvements from the TM44 report can lift the EPC
Common questions
The questions facilities managers and landlords ask about TM44.
Do we have to carry out the TM44 recommendations?
No. The recommendations are not legally binding, but they are a practical starting point for reducing energy use and running costs.
How do I know if my air-conditioning system is over 12kW?
Add up the effective rated output of all units under common control. Several small split units in one building can easily add up to more than 12kW. If you are unsure, we can establish it for you.
Is a TM44 inspection the same as a service?
No. Servicing keeps the equipment running. A TM44 inspection is an independent assessment of the system's energy performance, sizing, controls and operation by an accredited energy assessor, and it produces a report that is lodged on the register.
We are a tenant. Is the TM44 inspection our responsibility or the landlord’s?
Whoever controls the operation of the system. In a multi-let building the landlord is usually responsible for a central system and the tenant for separate equipment serving its own premises. Check your lease and ask us if it is unclear.
We have just taken over a building and can’t find a TM44 report. What now?
If a valid report was not handed over, an inspection must be arranged within three months. Call us and we will book it in.
What is the penalty for not having a TM44 inspection?
£300 in England and Wales for failing to have a required inspection, with further penalties possible for not providing the report when asked.
Measure. Model. Improve. Comply.
Not sure whether your air-conditioning needs a TM44 inspection?
Vital carries out TM44 inspections for commercial and public-sector buildings across the UK.