Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration
TM44 Inspection
If your commercial building has an air conditioning system with a total cooling output of 12kW or more, a TM44 inspection is a legal requirement.
Robinsons Facilities Services arranges TM44 air conditioning inspections for commercial buildings across Yorkshire and the Humber, using accredited energy assessors who will inspect your system, identify any issues, and issue a full compliance report.
Inspections from £300+VAT
Get a quote for a TM44 inspection →
Prefer to speak to someone? Call 01423 226578 →
A TM44 inspection is a statutory assessment of a commercial air conditioning system’s performance and energy efficiency. Required every five years under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, it applies to any system with a combined cooling output of 12kW or more. Buildings without a valid inspection report face a fixed penalty of £300.
What is a TM44 inspection?
A TM44 inspection is named after CIBSE’s TM44 guidance document, which sets out the methodology assessors must follow. Its primary focus is energy use: whether the system is sized correctly for the space it serves, how efficiently it operates, and what improvements could reduce energy consumption.
The requirement to carry out TM44 inspections was introduced through the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, implementing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Responsibility sits with the owner or operator of the building.
Who needs a TM44 inspection?
A TM44 inspection is required if your commercial building has an air conditioning system with a combined cooling output of 12kW or more. This includes:
- Multi-unit systems where the total output across all units reaches 12kW
- Systems installed in offices, retail premises, warehouses, healthcare buildings, schools, and other commercial properties
- Any system that has not been inspected within the last five years
Landlords, employers, and building owners all carry responsibility for compliance. If you are unsure whether your system meets the threshold, speak to our team and we can advise.
Level 3 or Level 4: which inspection do you need?
TM44 inspections come in two levels, and which one applies depends on your system. Knowing this before you book avoids surprises on price.
- Level 3 covers simpler systems: split systems, packaged units, and stand-alone air conditioning. This is what most smaller offices, shops, and units have.
- Level 4 covers more complex, centralised systems: air handling units, centralised chillers, and buildings where the cooling is distributed through a central plant. These take longer to assess and are priced accordingly.
If you are not sure which applies to your building, tell us the system type when you enquire and we will confirm before quoting.
What does a TM44 inspection cover?
The inspection assesses the overall performance and condition of your air conditioning system. A qualified, accredited energy assessor will examine:
- Refrigeration and air-moving equipment — condition, operation, and maintenance levels
- System sizing — whether the installed capacity is appropriate for the space it serves
- Ductwork and units — internal condition where accessible
- Controls and settings — how the system is being managed and whether adjustments could improve efficiency
- Assessor records — name, accreditation, and inspection details retained for compliance purposes
The assessor will also review any recent maintenance records and consider the overall operational context of the system.
The TM44 inspection report
At the end of the inspection, you receive a formal TM44 air conditioning inspection report. This document is your compliance record and remains valid for five years. It includes:
- Assessor name and accreditation details
- The system’s current efficiency rating
- Any faults identified, with recommended actions
- Equipment maintenance assessment
- Controls and settings review
- A comparison of installed system size against the actual cooling load
Crucially, a valid TM44 report must be lodged on the government’s Landmark Register by the accredited assessor. A paper report that has not been lodged does not make your building compliant. Every inspection we arrange is lodged on the official register, so your compliance is real and verifiable.
The recommendations in the report are not legally binding, but implementing them will typically reduce energy costs and extend the working life of the system. We can discuss carrying out any recommended works through our Quoted Works service.
How a TM44 inspection works
Step 1: Confirm your system details
We’ll confirm the system type, total cooling output, and any access requirements. Then, we’ll agree a time that minimises disruption to your operations. The assessor will need access to plant, indoor units, and any maintenance records, so it helps to have someone available on site who can assist with access.
Step 2: On-site inspection
An accredited energy assessor attends your premises and carries out a thorough inspection of the system in line with the TM44 methodology. The inspection is typically completed in a single visit.
Step 3: Report and recommendations
You receive your full TM44 air conditioning inspection report, including the assessor’s findings, efficiency rating, and any recommended actions. This serves as your compliance record for the next five years.
TM44 inspection cost
Inspections from £300+VAT
The cost of a TM44 inspection depends on the size, type, and complexity of your air conditioning system, and on whether it needs a Level 3 or Level 4 inspection.
- For smaller split systems, inspections typically start from £300+VAT.
- Larger or more complex sites, or those with centralised plant, are priced accordingly, typically £400 to £1,000+VAT.
We confirm a fixed price before we attend.
Get a quote for a TM44 inspection →
Prefer to speak to someone? Call 01423 226578 →
Why use Robinsons Facilities Services for your TM44 inspection?
Robinsons Facilities Services arranges TM44 inspections for commercial buildings across Yorkshire, the Humber, and the surrounding areas.
All inspections are carried out by qualified, accredited energy assessors with experience across a wide range of commercial and industrial system types.
- Inspections scheduled to minimise disruption to your operations
- Full TM44 compliance report issued at the end of the inspection
- Follow-on works quoted separately if improvements are identified
If you have a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and Compliance contract in place, TM44 inspections can be incorporated into your schedule alongside other compliance services.
If you need a one-off inspection, our Quoted Works service provides a straightforward route to get the report you need.
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TM44 Inspection FAQs
Any commercial building with an air conditioning system that has a combined total cooling output of 12kW or more requires a TM44 inspection. This applies to offices, retail premises, warehouses, schools, healthcare buildings, and other commercial properties. Responsibility for arranging the inspection sits with the building owner, landlord, or operator.
TM44 inspections must be carried out every five years. This applies to any system with a cooling output above 12kW. The report issued at the end of the inspection is your compliance record and remains valid for five years from the date of the inspection.
Only an accredited energy assessor can carry out a TM44 inspection and issue a valid report. Robinsons Facilities Services arranges inspections through qualified, accredited energy assessors with experience across a wide range of commercial system types.
A TM44 inspection report is valid for five years from the date of the inspection. Your next inspection must take place within that five-year period to remain compliant.
TM44 inspection costs depend on system size and complexity, and on whether you need a Level 3 (split systems) or Level 4 (centralised) inspection. Prices typically start from £300+VAT for smaller systems and rise to £1,000+VAT for larger or more complex sites. We confirm a fixed price before attending. Contact our team for a quote based on your specific system.
A building without a valid TM44 report faces a fixed penalty of £300, plus a further £200 for failing to produce the report within seven days of a request from Trading Standards. The government has consulted on raising the £300 penalty to £800, though this is a proposal and not yet law. Because an inspection typically costs less than the fine and is valid for five years, staying compliant is the straightforward choice.
If you take over control of an air conditioning system and the previous TM44 report is not made available to you, the system must be inspected within three months of you taking over. If a valid, lodged report exists and is passed to you, it remains valid until its five-year expiry.
Last updated: 15/07/2026
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