Air-conditioning Inspections
Maintain Your Cool air conditioning inspections are carried out by registered qualified professionals giving you peace of mind & assuring you get an independent report.
The new regulations address the issue of air conditioning inspections, which must now take place at least every five years where the equipment has an effective rated output of more than 12kW. Where individual units are less than 12kW but a number of units adds up to a capacity greater than 12kW, inspections are also required on the same basis and penalties will be levied against anyone failing to meet the requirements. A further penalty may be issued if an occupier fails to produce the necessary inspection report within seven days when asked to do so.
If your system was installed before 30th December 2008 and an inspection for energy efficiency has yet to be carried out, it needs to be inspected now under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations.
Air-conditioning can account for a third of annual electricity costs for your business. Improving the efficiency of your air-conditioning can therefore lead to significantly lower energy bills as well as improved staff comfort and productivity.
If your system was installed on or after 30th December 2008, it must be inspected within 5 years of its installation date.
The relevant person in the building must have at all times a copy of the most recent air-conditioning inspection report.
Failing to have your air-conditioning system inspected or failing to have a copy of the inspection report could result in enforcement action and the issue of a fine.
The introduction of mandatory inspections of air-conditioning systems by an Energy Assessor aims to improve efficiency and reduce the electricity consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions for your system. Energy inspections will highlight opportunities if possible, to reduce energy consumption, replace older less energy efficient systems or oversized systems with low carbon energy efficient alternatives.
What should I do with my report?
The inspection report is evidence that you have had your system inspected and complied with your legal duties under the EPB Regulations which are now in force.
The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 are now in force, introducing changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for commercial and public buildings with effect from 9 January.
There is no requirement to act on the recommendations in the inspection report, but you may reduce your energy bills and costs to your business if you do.
What does an inspection involve?
The inspection must be carried out by an accredited energy assessor who must be a member of an approved accreditation scheme. Inspectors will examine the air-conditioning equipment, air movement systems and controls. They will need to inspect equipment located in plant rooms or on rooftops. Once the inspection is completed the assessor will give a detailed report to the person responsible for the day to day control of the system.
The report will include:
- information on the current efficiency of your equipment
- suggestions for improving the efficiency of your equipment
- advice on replacing inefficient equipment and/or refrigerants
- any faults identified – filters/insulation & suggested actions
- information on the adequacy of your equipment maintenance and how to improve it
- advice on reducing your energy usage
Maintain Your Cool also offer energy management advice for businesses with heating/cooling systems below or above the 12KW guide line.
Contact us on 01455 299911 for more information.
