TM44 Air conditioning energy assessments 

TM44 Air conditioning energy assessments in Birmingham and the West Midlands

Since 4 January 2011, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has required air conditioning energy assessments for fixed air conditioning systems. Known as TM44 Regulations, all air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW must be regularly inspected by an energy assessor. This includes systems consisting of individual units which are less than 12kW but whose combined effective rated output is more than 12kW.

Who is affected?

It is the duty of all building owners and managers in England and Wales with control of air-conditioning systems to ensure that the air conditioning units are inspected ‘in an independent manner’ by an energy assessor at regular intervals not exceeding five years.

When?

Regulations require the first inspection of the affected air conditioning systems to be carried out as follows -

• for all fixed 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 fixed air conditioning systems, where the effective rated output is more than 250kW the first inspection must have taken place by 4 January 2009 
• for other fixed air conditioning systems, where the effective rated output is more than 12kW 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 inspection means you should be able to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, operating costs and the carbon emissions of the system. The energy assessor will be able to make recommendations for improvement to the existing systems or opportunities to replace older or oversized systems with new energy efficient systems.

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 
• the adequacy of equipment maintenance 
• the adequacy of the installed controls and control settings 
• the current size of the installed system in relation to the cooling load 
• 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.

How can Midland Cool help?

Midland Cool can provide you with a regular maintenance schedule which will help reduce energy consumption by ensuring your fixed air conditioning system is working correctly, eg 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.

To be compliant with these regulations or for further advice on the TM44 air conditioning energy assessments, please call Midland Cool on 0121 359 5100.