If you are a commercial organisation looking for clear advice on what goes into an air conditioning survey or TM44 inspection, you are in the right place.
In this guide, we explain what happens during an air conditioning inspection, why surveys matter for comfort, energy efficiency and compliance with the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) Regulations, and when your system legally needs to be checked.
What Is An Air Conditioning Survey?
An air conditioning survey is a structured assessment of your building and cooling equipment. The survey allows an engineer to understand how your space is used, how heat builds up through people, equipment and glazing, and how your existing or proposed system will cope.
For new systems or upgrades, this usually takes the form of a comprehensive air conditioning site survey that looks at room sizes, access routes, electrics, and the practicalities of installing new equipment. For existing systems, it may also include a formal TM44 energy inspection for systems above the legal threshold.
Why Are Air Conditioning Surveys Important?
A professionally completed survey delivers several key benefits:
- Accurate sizing and specification – ensuring the system is neither under-sized (leading to hot spots and complaints) nor over-sized (wasting energy and money).
- Better comfort for staff and visitors – correct unit location, airflow and controls help maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature across the working day.
- Improved energy performance – surveys identify inefficiencies and provide practical recommendations to reduce running costs and carbon emissions, in line with EPB guidance.
- Compliance with legislation – where your system meets the criteria, TM44 inspections under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations are a legal requirement and must be completed by an accredited assessor.
- Health and safety – checks on filters, condensate drainage, refrigerant pipework and controls help reduce the risk of leaks, poor air quality and equipment failure.
Ultimately, a survey is there to make sure your system is safe, compliant and cost-effective – not just on day one, but throughout its life. Our engineers can then recommend suitable commercial air conditioning installations tailored to your building and usage.
Capacity And System Design
During a survey, the engineer will calculate the cooling (and often heating) capacity your building requires. This involves looking at:
- Room dimensions and layout
- Number of occupants and typical occupancy patterns
- Heat gains from IT equipment, machinery and lighting
- Window sizes, orientation and shading
- Insulation levels and how the building gains and loses heat
From this, we can recommend the most suitable solution, whether that’s wall-mounted units, ceiling cassettes or a larger VRF/VRV air conditioning system. We will also discuss control options, zoning and any specific requirements, such as critical temperature control for server rooms or specialist environments.
What Happens During The Survey Visit?
While every project is different, a typical air conditioning site survey will usually include:
- Initial consultation – we talk through how you use your building, existing comfort issues and any future plans for the space.
- Site walk-through – assessing each area, measuring rooms, and identifying potential indoor and outdoor unit positions, pipe routes and electrical connections.
- Review of existing systems – where applicable, we check the age, condition and performance of your current equipment, controls and ductwork.
- Energy and controls review – looking at set points, operating hours and control strategy to see where energy savings could be made.
- Compliance checks – confirming whether your system meets the threshold for TM44 inspection and discussing your obligations under the Energy Performance of Buildings air-con inspection regulations.
- After the visit, you will receive a clear proposal, including recommended equipment, a detailed quotation and, where relevant, TM44 findings and efficiency recommendations.
When Are TM44 Inspections Needed?
Under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations in England and Wales, most air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12 kW must be inspected at regular intervals by an accredited energy assessor.
Key points to be aware of include:
- The 12 kW threshold applies to the combined capacity of systems serving a building, not just individual units.
- Inspections must be carried out at least once every five years.
- The assessor produces a report with recommendations to improve efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and manage your system more effectively.
Staying compliant avoids potential enforcement action and helps ensure your cooling plant is running as efficiently as possible. For more details, you can also read our guide on Energy Performance of Buildings air-con inspections.
Surveys, Servicing And Ongoing Maintenance
A survey is often the first step in a long-term relationship with your air conditioning contractor. Once your system is installed or upgraded, regular air conditioning service and maintenance are essential to keep performance, efficiency and reliability high.
Planned maintenance visits usually include cleaning filters and coils, checking refrigerant levels, testing controls and confirming that condensate drainage is working correctly. This supports the findings of the initial survey and helps you get the best possible return on your investment over time.
Our Free Site Survey Service
At Controlled Climate, we offer FREE, no-obligation site surveys across our service area for both commercial and residential customers. Our engineers will visit your premises, assess your requirements and provide clear recommendations, whether you need a single unit or a full multi-room system.
If you would like us to assess your building, you can request a free air conditioning survey online. We provide expert heating and cooling services across the South West, including Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.
Why Choose Controlled Climate?
We have more than 30 years of experience in designing, installing and maintaining air conditioning and heat pump systems for businesses and homes throughout Bristol and the wider South West.
As a specialist air conditioning contractor, we combine technical expertise with a friendly, practical approach. From your initial survey and system design through to installation and aftercare, we aim to make the process straightforward and to leave you with a system that delivers reliable, year-round comfort.
If you have any questions about what goes into an air conditioning survey or want to check whether your system requires a TM44 inspection, simply contact our team. We are always happy to help.