Installed Air Conditioning Services
TM44 Air Conditioning Energy Assessment
Since January 2011, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has required air conditioning energy assessments for installed air conditioning systems. Known as TM44 Regulations, all air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12.0kW must be regularly inspected by an energy assessor. This includes systems consisting of individual units which are less than 12.0kW but whose combined effective rated output is more than 12.0kW.
The inspections must be no more than five years apart.
Who is responsible for ensuring an inspection is completed?
The person who controls the operation of an air conditioning system must ensure an inspection has been done in accordance with the requirements and timetable of the regulations. They must also keep the most recent air conditioning inspection report and give the inspection report to any person(s) taking over the responsbilities with respect to the control of the air conditioning system.
The person who controls the operation of the system is regarded as the person who controls the technical functioning of it which is usually the owner, even where day-to-day operation is contracted out to another person or organisation.
Where the occupier of a building takes total responsbility for a building and its services (e.g. full repairing and insuring lease), then the occupier will control the system.
When?
Regulations require the first inspection of the affected air conditioning systems to be carried out as follows –
- For all air conditioning systems first put into service on or after 1 January 2008, the first inspection must have taken place within five years of the date when the system was first put into service.
- For other air conditioning systems, where the effective rated output is more than 250.0kW, the first inspection must have taken place by 4 January 2009.
- Or other air conditioning systems, where the effective rated output is more than 12.0kW the first inspection must have taken place by 4 January 2011.
- Any air conditioning equipment less than 5 years old does not need an assessment, but if there is a mixture of old and new equipment on site then an energy assessment must be carried out.
Why are Air-Conditioning inspections required?
An air conditioning system inspection by an accredited assessor (the energy assessor) is designed to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, reduce operating costs and reduce carbon emmissions.
Non-compliance with TM44 Regulations?
Failure to commission, keep, or provide an air conditioning inspection report when requested can result in fines or penalties.
Your report
Once the inspection is complete, your assessor will give you an air conditioning inspection report which will include:
- The likely efficiency of the system.
- Any faults identified during the inspection and suggested actions.
- The adequacy of equipment maintenance and any suggestions for improvement.
- The adequacy of the installed controls and control settings and any suggestions for improvement.
- The current size of the installed system in relation to the cooling load and any suggestions for improvement.
- Consideration of the capabilities of the system to optimise its performance under typical operating conditions.
- A summary of the findings and the key recommendations.
- There is a charge for this inspection, and this fee can vary depending on the energy assessor you choose, as well as the number of assets.
How can London Cool help?
London Cool can provide you with a regular maintenance schedule which will help reduce energy consumption by ensuring your installed air conditioning system is working correctly. E.g. that heat exchangers and air filters are clean. Reducing the temperature set point and setting a timer to ensure the equipment is off when the building is unoccupied will also help save emergy.
Planned preventative maintenance reduces the chance of equipment failure and emergency repairs.
We work along side TM44 assessors who carry out independant inspections on our client’s equipment to ensure they are compliant with regulations.
For further advice on the TM44 air conditioning energy assessments, please call London Cool on 0800 440 444.
