TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections

How often is a TM44 inspection needed?

Every 5 years from the date of the previous lodged report, or within 5 years of first installation of the system.

Is it the landlord's or tenant's responsibility?

It rests with the person who controls the operation of the system — usually the occupier, though leases should be checked for specific obligations.

What's the penalty for non-compliance?

£300 per system, and the inspection is still required. Trading Standards can also request evidence and pursue escalated enforcement.

Which systems are in scope?

Any air conditioning system with an effective rated cooling output above 12kW, including multi-split, VRF/VRV, chilled water and DX systems.

How is 'effective rated output' calculated for split systems?

Where multiple units are controlled by a single person, their cooling outputs are aggregated. A site with several smaller splits often exceeds the 12kW threshold collectively.

Who can carry out a TM44 inspection?

Only an accredited Level 3, 4 or 5 air conditioning energy assessor lodged with an approved scheme. Most multi-split and complex VRF systems require Level 4.

How long does a TM44 inspection take?

A typical office or retail unit takes half a day on site. Larger industrial or hospitality sites with multiple plant rooms can take 1–2 days.

Will the report help us cut cooling costs?

Yes — alongside compliance, the report flags oversizing, poor controls, refrigerant issues and zoning problems that typically deliver 10–25% cooling energy savings.

How does TM44 relate to F-Gas regulations?

F-Gas covers refrigerant handling and leak checks; TM44 reviews the system's energy performance. We check F-Gas logbooks during the inspection but they are separate legal duties.

Can you manage TM44 across a national portfolio?

Yes — we run rolling 5-year programmes across hundreds of sites, with a single point of contact, consolidated reporting and renewal tracking.