air conditioning inspection

Compliance based Air Conditioning Inspections

Air conditioning systems can account for up to 50% of the energy consumed by a building and are therefore specifically targeted in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive legislation. Many buildings now have air conditioning systems. These systems should be carefully maintained and managed to ensure they are being efficiently operated to reduce carbon and energy consumption.

Why do I need an Air Conditioning Inspection?

As of January 2009 there is a legal requirement in England & Wales to carry out regular inspections of your air conditioning systems (an air conditioning system is made up of one or more air-conditioning units in a building, which are controlled by the one person).

By 4 January 2009 all air conditioning systems over 250kW must have had their first inspection (this deadline has now passed - managers of any uninspected systems should take immediate action)
By 4 January 2011 all air conditioning systems over 12kW must have had their first inspection. Air conditioning systems put into service on or after 1 January 2008 must have their first inspection within 5 years of the date it was commissioned.
These air conditioning systems should then continue to be regularly inspected at intervals not exceeding five years.

The trigger for air conditioning systems inspections is the size (effective rated output) of the system not the type of building and so the measures apply to homes, commercial and public buildings.

It is the responsibility of the person who controls the technical functioning of the system to ensure that the air conditioning system has been inspected. The penalty for non-compliance is a fine of £300.

All air conditioning system inspections will need to be carried out by an accredited energy assessor. Sustain's team of qualified and accredited energy assessors have carried out numerous air conditioning system inspections, covering a wide range of building types throughout the UK.

The energy inspection of an air conditioning system involves a visual assessment of the air conditioning unit, and Sustain's assessor will examine the equipment, air movement system and controls.

Following the inspection, Sustain's assessor will provide a report which will include:

- An assessment of the system efficiency
- A review of the sizing of the system
- Advice on required improvements or replacement
- Options for alternative solutions
We are also able to provide support and guidance on how to implement the recommended improvements as soon as practicable after the inspection.

How do I determine the size my Air Conditioning system?

Details of the size of your system can often be found on the information plate attached to the unit, in operating manuals or by speaking to your usual maintenance personnel.

A guide provided by the Government suggests that the following system sizes may be typical:

- General office area of 2000m2 is likely to require 250kW of cooling capacity
- General office area of 200m2 is likely to require 12 kW of cooling capacity
However, it must be remembered that one or more air-conditioning units within a building controlled by a single person are considered to comprise a single air-conditioning system for the purposes of the regulations.

What are the Costs?

In order to always deliver the most effective pricing structure to our clients, our fees are quoted on an individual basis depending on location, volume and type of survey.

If you are in doubt, please contact Sustain for help and guidance.