TM44 Air Conditioning Inspections; Compliance and Efficiency for UK Buildings

A TM44 inspection is a legal requirement in the UK for all air conditioning systems with an effective rated output greater than 12kW. These inspections are designed to:

• Ensure safe and efficient operation
• Reduce unnecessary energy use
• Lower environmental impact and carbon emissions
• Identify maintenance and performance issues

Building owners or managers must ensure these inspections are conducted every five years by an accredited energy assessor. Failure to comply can result in fines and enforcement action from trading standards. But beyond the legal obligation, TM44 inspections offer valuable insights into the efficiency of your cooling systems, helping reduce overheads and support sustainability strategies.

Inteb provides a fully managed TM44 inspection service tailored to your building type, system size, and occupancy profile. Our service includes:

• Site survey by an accredited air conditioning energy assessor
• Full inspection of systems with an effective rated output >12kW
• Assessment of system efficiency and control strategy
• Review of current maintenance practices and documentation
• Recommendations to reduce cooling load and improve operation
• Delivery of a compliant TM44 inspection report
• Support with record-keeping, audit readiness, and enforcement risk mitigation

We work across sectors – from healthcare and logistics to commercial offices and retail portfolios – adapting our inspection process to each site’s operational needs.

Many properties exceed the 12kW air conditioning threshold without realising it, making TM44 inspections a legal requirement. Common examples include:

Offices with multiple split units cooling different floors; often showing inefficient zoning or simultaneous heating and cooling

Retail stores using rooftop systems for shop floors and staff areas; typically running beyond occupancy hours with limited control settings

Residential blocks with centralised cooling for flats and communal areas; where systems are oversized and maintenance is inconsistent

VRV/VRF systems in modern office or mixed-use buildings; where zoning isn’t optimised or commissioning issues lead to energy waste

Whether you operate a single site or a portfolio, a TM44 inspection can highlight operational inefficiencies, reduce costs, and keep you compliant. Not sure if your setup qualifies? We’ll assess your system and advise on next steps.

• Summary of systems inspected and their effective rated output
• Visual and technical review of individual units and controls
• Insights on system condition and maintenance adequacy
• Measured performance versus expected cooling load
• Practical suggestions to improve performance and reduce costs
• Identification of systems running unnecessarily or oversized equipment
• Documentation suitable for audit, legal, and procurement needs

Reports are delivered in PDF format, with optional in-person or virtual walkthroughs to help your team implement next steps.

A TM44 inspection can serve as a foundation for broader energy strategy. By understanding where cooling systems are underperforming, businesses can:

• Integrate findings into asset replacement or refurbishment plans
• Feed insights into energy audits and net zero planning
• Align HVAC optimisation with seasonal occupancy patterns
• Link maintenance planning to energy saving KPIs

We frequently integrate TM44 inspections with additional services like SECR reporting, building energy audits, and smart metering deployment.