How often is a TM44 air conditioning inspection required?
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At least every five years, for any air conditioning system with an effective rated output of more than 12kW. The inspection must be carried out by an accredited energy assessor.
What to do, and how often
| Task | How often | Who | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning inspection by an accredited energy assessor, with a report Applies to: Systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW, counting together units under the same control | Every 5 years | Person who controls the operation of the system, using an accredited energy assessor | Law Regulation 18 of the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 requires inspection at regular intervals not exceeding five years. SourcesS1S2S3 |
Where a row says who or what it applies to, the task is for that case only.
The law
Part 4 of the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 applies to air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW. Regulation 18 requires the person who controls the system to have its accessible parts inspected by an energy assessor at regular intervals not exceeding five years.
The standard
CIBSE TM44 (Inspection of air conditioning systems) is the inspection methodology that the government guidance draws on. It is guidance on how to inspect, not the source of the five year interval.
Records to keep
- Air conditioning inspection report lodged on the national register
- Report reference number
- Maintenance records made available to the assessor
Notes
The 12kW threshold counts together individual units that are under one person's control, so a building with many small split systems can be in scope. A new system must have its first inspection within five years of being put into service.
This is an energy efficiency inspection: it does not replace routine servicing or F-gas leak checks. The government consulted in 2024 and 2025 on reforming the energy performance of buildings regime, including air conditioning inspection reports.
A partial response was published in January 2026 and a further response is due, so check for changes. The regulation text was unchanged on 5 October 2026.
Who delivers this in the group
Gemini AMPM
Delivered by Gemini AMPM. One number reaches every company in the group, day or night: 0330 043 0080.
Questions people ask
Air conditioning energy inspections (TM44): which tasks are legal requirements?
Every task on this page rests on legislation: air conditioning inspection by an accredited energy assessor, with a report (every 5 years; systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW, counting together units under the same control).
Air conditioning energy inspections (TM44): who should carry out each task?
Person who controls the operation of the system, using an accredited energy assessor: air conditioning inspection by an accredited energy assessor, with a report.
Air conditioning energy inspections (TM44): what records should you keep?
Keep these records: air conditioning inspection report lodged on the national register; report reference number; maintenance records made available to the assessor.
Sources
Every task and legal statement is supported by at least one source fetched over HTTPS and read on the date shown. Quotes are verbatim and 25 words or fewer. A second, independent verification pass re-fetched every source and re-read the legislation on 5 October 2026. Intervals taken from British Standards were checked against published summaries of those standards by trade bodies and government guidance, because the standards themselves are paid publications.
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legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Revised text, as amended in 2015 · read on
“inspected by an energy assessor at regular intervals not exceeding five years”
Supports: Legal duty: inspection at intervals not exceeding five years
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legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Revised text as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“This Part applies to air-conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW.”
Supports: The duty applies to systems of more than 12kW
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A guide to air conditioning inspections in buildings ↗
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK) · Updated 18 September 2024 · read on
“The inspections must be no more than five years apart.”
Supports: Government guidance on the five year interval
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A guide to air conditioning inspections in buildings ↗
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK) · Updated 18 September 2024 · read on
“whose combined effective rated output is more than 12kW”
Supports: Units under one control are added together
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (GOV.UK) · Published 4 December 2024; last updated 9 March 2026 · read on
“strengthening the quality of air conditioning inspection reports”
Supports: The consultation covered air conditioning inspection reports
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (GOV.UK) · Published 4 December 2024; last updated 9 March 2026 · read on
“A further response covering the remaining parts of the consultation will be published in 2026.”
Supports: A further government response is still to come