Why are air conditioning inspections required?

Having an air conditioning system inspected by an accredited air conditioning energy assessor is designed to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, operating costs and the carbon emissions of the system.  The energy assessor will highlight improvements to the operation of the existing systems or opportunities to replace older, less energy efficient systems or oversized systems with new energy efficient systems.

As the replacement of refrigerants is restricted for older systems (as established in other legislations), there is an additional incentive to improve or replace older systems with more modern energy efficient units.

The person who controls the operation of the system, such as the building owner or manager, has statutory obligations and duties of care in the operation and maintenance of the air conditioning systems.  Inspections, maintenance and cleaning programmes maintain the ability of the system to provide healthy and comfortable environments for building occupants, limiting the escape of refrigerant gases and ensuring the safety of the equipment.

 

When are air conditioning inspections required?

All air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW must be regularly inspected by an energy assessor and must be no more than 5 years apart. The regulations require that the first inspection of the effected air conditioning systems to be carried out as follows:

  • for all systems first put into service on or after 1st January 2008, the first inspection must have taken place within five years of the date when the system was put into service

  • for other air conditioning systems where the effective rated output is more than 250kW, the first inspection should have been completed by 4th January 2009

  • for other air conditioning systems where the effective rated output is more than 12kW but less than 250kW, the first inspection should have been carried out by 4th January 2011

At this time the only systems that require an inspection and report producing are those with a rating of 12kW or more.  This applies to the total amount of duty on one site.  For example if there were several individual systems consisting of units that were less than 12kW but whose combined effective rated output is more than 12kW, these units would require an inspection.

 

What to expect from the report.

The purpose of the report is to ensure that the building owner or manager is provided with information regarding the efficiency of the air conditioning systems that they control together with advice on how to improve energy efficiency of those systems and to help reduce operating costs.  The air conditioning inspection report will include at the least the following:

  • The efficiency of the system(s) and any suggestions for improvement

  • Any faults identified and suggested actions

  • The adequacy of the maintenance and suggested improvements and /or actions

  • The adequacy of the control systems and settings, with suggestions for any improvements

  • The current size of the systems in relation to the cooling load required for the serviced area along with any recommendations

  • Summary of the findings and key recommendations

There is no legal requirement to act on the recommendations, however by acting on the recommendations contained within the report and rectifying faults/making the appropriate improvements when and where possible will contribute to the efficient running of the air conditioning systems, contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions and help reduce the running costs of the buildings.

 

How RDDS can help you.

Here at RDDS, we are trained to carry out the air conditioning inspections on your behalf.  We will conduct the survey of all your premises in a courteous and professional manner at times suitable to yourself and your employees, generate the necessary reports and submit these through the relevant authorised bodies.

It may be worth noting that access will be required to both all the indoor units and outdoor units and some disruption will occur where these units are in areas occupied by employees.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements using either the contact page or by calling us.