TM44 air conditioning inspections are a legal requirement for many commercial buildings under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations.

If you control an air conditioning system with an effective rated output of more than 12kW, you must arrange an air conditioning compliance inspection by an accredited TM44 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.

Clifton Energy has carried out TM44 inspections across offices, retail buildings, leisure centres and industrial premises throughout London and the South East.

Our inspections help you meet legal compliance requirements while identifying opportunities to improve system efficiency, reduce operating costs and lower carbon emissions.

Request a TM44 inspection quotation. Speak to an accredited assessor today.

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 practical recommendations for improving performance and efficiency.

Legal Requirement and Penalties

TM44 inspections are strictly required under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations.

Compliance with these air conditioning inspection regulations is mandatory for applicable systems. The gov.uk guidance explicitly states that failure to inspect can result in a £300 penalty notice.

Which Air Conditioning Systems Require TM44 Inspections?

TM44 inspections apply to refrigeration-based air conditioning systems with an effective rated output above 12kW.

The 12 kW threshold refers to the combined effective rated cooling output of all air conditioning units under the control of the same person within the building.

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.

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

TM44 inspections must be carried out by an accredited air conditioning energy assessor. Simpler packaged cooling systems are typically inspected by a Level 3 assessor.

More complex systems including those using chilled water, air handling units, or spaces served by mechanical ventilation or mechanical air supply systems require a Level 4 assessor.

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, and equipment capacity and layout information.

Providing documentation in advance improves the quality and efficiency of the inspection

On-Site Inspection

Most inspections can be completed within one site visit. 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, and 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 comprehensive TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection Report
An air conditioning inspection certificate with a registered reference number
A set of practical energy efficiency recommendations

The report is lodged on the government Energy Performance of Buildings Register, ensuring your inspection is legally valid.

Typical Findings and Improvements

Drawing on extensive building services engineering knowledge, our TM44 assessors regularly identify operational inefficiencies. Typical issues identified during TM44 inspections include:

Incorrect operating schedules
Cooling running outside occupancy hours
Poorly located temperature sensors
Oversized systems
Condenser airflow restrictions
Simultaneous heating and cooling

Who Is Responsible?

The statutory obligation falls on any person who controls the operation of an air conditioning system where the effective rated output is more than 12kW.

The ‘person in control’ refers to the person who controls the technical functioning of the system, not just someone who can alter the temperature. This generally applies to building owners, operators, and facilities managers.

FAQs

What are TM44 air conditioning inspections?

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 over 12kW to ensure their system is inspected every 5 years by a qualified assessor

What is a TM44 report?

Following a site visit, a TM44 report is compiled outlining potential energy savings, identifying operating anomalies, reviewing the appropriateness of refrigeration plant size against cooling loads, and assessing the effectiveness of current maintenance regimes.

The client will receive a certificate confirming the inspection, which is lodged on the central government register

Is TM44 a legal requirement?

Yes. The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007 make it a statutory obligation for the person in control of a system with an effective rated output of more than 12kW to ensure an inspection is completed every 5 years

Which systems are affected by the UK regulations?

The regulations affect systems where refrigeration is used to provide cooling for occupant comfort.

Since 2012, this was widened to cover certain process applications like server rooms, though highly specialized industrial or manufacturing applications may fall outside this remit

How often does air conditioning need to be serviced?

While a TM44 is an inspection, not a service, F-Gas regulations require systems containing fluorinated greenhouse gases with a global warming potential higher than 5 tonnes of CO2 to have an annual leak check. Good practice guidelines suggest regular maintenance is essential for all systems to operate efficiently

Why Choose Clifton Energy?

Clifton Energy specialises in commercial energy compliance services. Rather than treating inspections as a tick-box exercise, our team combines accredited energy assessment expertise with deep building services engineering knowledge, providing clear, practical recommendations alongside statutory compliance.

Clients choose Clifton Energy because we provide:

Inspections by experienced energy consultants
Accredited Level 3 and Level 4 TM44 assessors
Extensive London & South East coverage
Fast and efficient site visits for both single sites and portfolio inspections
Comprehensive support for wider compliance, including Commercial EPCs and MEES compliance

Ensure your building is compliant and operating efficiently.

Request a TM44 inspection quotation today.

TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections