TM44 air conditioning inspections are a legal requirement for many commercial buildings.
If you control an air conditioning system with an effective rated output of more than 12kW, you must arrange an inspection by an accredited energy assessor at least every five years.
Clifton Energy provides TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections for landlords, managing agents, facilities teams and occupiers across commercial property portfolios. Our inspections help you meet legal compliance requirements while identifying opportunities to improve system efficiency, reduce operating costs and lower carbon emissions.
What Is a TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection?
A TM44 inspection is an energy efficiency assessment of a building’s air conditioning system. The inspection reviews how efficiently the system operates, whether it is appropriately sized for the building, and how effectively it is controlled and maintained.
Unlike servicing or maintenance, a TM44 inspection is an advisory compliance inspection. It does not involve repairs, cleaning or adjustment of system controls during the visit. Instead, the assessor evaluates the system and provides recommendations for improving performance and efficiency.
Which Air Conditioning Systems Require TM44 Inspections?
TM44 inspections apply to refrigeration-based air conditioning systems with an effective rated output above 12kW.
This can include:
- Split and multi-split systems
- VRF / VRV air conditioning systems
- Packaged rooftop units
- Chillers and central cooling systems
- Systems integrated with ventilation or humidity control
Importantly, multiple smaller systems within a building can be aggregated. Even if individual units are below 12kW, the building may still require a TM44 inspection if the combined capacity exceeds the threshold.
Contact Clifton Energy Today
For Air Conditioning Inspections, contact Clifton Energy today.
When Is a TM44 Inspection Required?
In England and Wales, air conditioning systems above 12kW must be inspected at least every five years.
You may also need an inspection when:
- A building is sold or leased
- A new facilities manager or building operator takes control of the system
- Previous inspection documentation is missing
- The system has been significantly modified or replaced
If control of the system changes and the new responsible party does not receive the previous report, a new inspection must be completed within three months.
What Happens During a TM44 Inspection?
A typical TM44 inspection involves three stages.
Pre-Inspection Information Review
Before the site visit, the assessor may request information such as:
- System specifications
- Operation and maintenance manuals
- Service records
- Building Management System (BMS) schedules
- Equipment capacity and layout information
Providing documentation in advance improves the quality and efficiency of the inspection.
On-Site Inspection
During the visit, the assessor will:
- Identify key plant and equipment
- Confirm system type and capacity
- Assess maintenance access and system condition
- Review system controls and operating schedules
- Evaluate whether the system is appropriately sized for the building
Particular attention is paid to controls, operating schedules and setpoints, as these frequently drive unnecessary energy consumption.
Inspection Report and Register Lodgement
After the inspection you will receive:
- A TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection Report
- A registered certificate reference number
- A set of energy efficiency recommendations
The report is lodged on the government Energy Performance of Buildings Register, ensuring your inspection is legally valid.
FAQs
TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections identify ways in which the energy consumption of existing air conditioning systems can be reduced. The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007 introduced a statutory obligation on any person who controls the operation of an air conditioning system, where the effective rated output is more than 12kW, to ensure that their system is inspected every 5 years by a qualified assessor.
The TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection involves a site visit so that the air conditioning units can be inspected along with associated plant such as air handling units and pumps. The controls for the systems on site are reviewed along with maintenance records and any documentation relating to the systems.
Once this information has been collected a report is compiled outlining potential energy savings. The report also comments on any operating anomalies identified, the size and appropriateness of refrigeration plant in relation to cooling loads and the effectiveness of current maintenance regimes.
TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections identify ways in which the energy consumption of existing air conditioning systems can be reduced. Following a site visit a report is compiled outlining potential energy savings. The report also comments on any operating anomalies identified, the size and appropriateness of refrigeration plant in relation to cooling loads and the effectiveness of current maintenance regimes.
The client will receive a certificate confirming that the inspection has taken place and a report containing the observations and recommendations. A copy of these will also be lodged and available for download on the central register: www.ndepcregister.com
The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007 introduced a statutory obligation on any person who controls the operation of an air conditioning system, where the effective rated output is more than 12kW, to ensure that their system is inspected every 5 years by a qualified assessor.
The ‘effective rated output’ is based on the total output of all the individual cooling units under the control of one building owner or operator.
The ‘person in control’ refers to the person who controls the technical functioning of the system and not just someone who can alter the temperature.
Air-conditioning system refers to any system where refrigeration is used to provide cooling for the comfort of occupants. Since 2012 the scope of the legislation has widened to include certain process applications where it is possible for an inspection to be carried out. In practice this would include server rooms but highly specialized industrial or manufacturing applications would fall outside the remit of the legislation.
TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections should be carried out every five years, this complies with legal regulations. When it comes to new systems the first inspection must have taken place within five years of the date when the system was first put into service.
The term ‘air conditioning system’ refers to systems where refrigeration is used to provide cooling for the comfort of occupants. Since 2012 the scope of the legislation has widened to cover certain process applications where it’s possible for an inspection to be carried out. In practice, this would also include server rooms but highly specialized industrial or manufacturing applications could fall outside the remit of the legislation.
When it comes to TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection they should be undertaken by a qualified assessor, at Clifton Energy, all of our fully trained energy consultants are fully registered and accredited, you can rest assured you’re in the right hands with Clifton Energy.
Systems containing fluorinated greenhouse gases with a global warming potential higher than 5 tonnes of CO2 require an annual leak check to comply with the F-Gas regulations. In practice this means that any system containing more than 2.82 kg of R407C or 2.39 kg of R410A require an annual leak check. Although systems smaller than this are not required to comply with F-Gas regulations, good practice guidelines suggest that regular refrigerant leak checks are essential to ensure that the systems are well maintained and operating efficiently.
Why Choose Clifton Energy?
Clifton Energy specialises in commercial energy compliance services, including TM44 air conditioning inspections, EPC assessments and MEES compliance support.
Our team combines accredited energy assessment expertise with practical building services knowledge, providing clear, actionable advice alongside statutory compliance.
Clients choose Clifton Energy because we provide:
- Accredited TM44 assessors
- Clear, practical inspection reports
- Fast and efficient site visits
- Register lodgement and compliance documentation
- Support for wider building compliance including Commercial EPCs, DECs and MEES
For Air Conditioning Inspections, contact Clifton Energy today.