Air Conditioning Inspections

Why have inspections been introduced?

Inspections of Air Conditioning units have been introduced with the aim to;

  • Improve system efficiency

  • Reduce electricity consumption

  • Reduce operating costs

  • Reduce carbon emissions

Energy inspections will highlight improvements to the operation of existing systems or opportunities to replace older, less energy efficient systems or oversized systems with new energy efficient systems.

As the replacement of refrigerant is restricted in older systems, there is an additional incentive to improve or replace older systems with more modern energy efficient units.

When are the inspections required?

  • Where the effective rated output is more than 250kW the first inspection must happen by 4 January 2009

  • Where the effective rated output is more than 12kW the first inspection must happen by 4 January 2011.

  • All systems first put into service on or after 1 January 2008, the first inspection must have taken place within five years of the date when it was first put into service.

From 4 January 2011, if the person in control of the air-conditioning system changes and the new person in control is not given an inspection report, the new person in control of the system must ensure the air-conditioning system is inspected within three months of the day that person assumes control of the system.

What will the inspections cover?

The inspections will assess the following factors;

  • Refrigerant types

  • Equipment type and condition

  • Controls

  • Maintenance that should have been carried out.

  • Is the system correctly sized.

  • Recommendations by the assessor.

Who is responsible for the inspections?

It is the person responsible for the air conditioning system to ensure the inspection happens. They must ensure they are carried out in accordance with the requirements and timetable. They must keep the latest inspection report to hand and if they have taken over control of an air-conditioning system from 4 January 2011 and haven?t been given an inspection report, they must ensure the system is inspected within three months of taking over such control.

Who can do the inspections?

A certified Air Conditioning Energy Assessor.
Soon here at CEA.com we will be able to offer you this service.