2.IV.vi. Progress and current status on AC systems (Inspection / Equivalence) – OVERVIEW

Up until the late 1990s, AC systems were rarely used in Austria except in new non-residential buildings. As a result of the EPBD, performance-related requirements were implemented for new and existing systems.

Vienna started implementing some articles on AC systems in a law concerning the performance and inspection of heating systems (> 20 kW), including dimensioning of boilers and cooling systems (> 12 kW). The other Austrian provinces followed by implementing inspections through different regulations, either by modifying existing clean air acts or laws for heating systems (Burgenland, Tyrol, Vienna) or building codes (Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Vorarlberg), or by ratifying a new act (Upper Austria).

Inspection intervals range from one (1) to three (3) years for a simplified procedure (visual inspection) and from five (5) to 12 years for an additional comprehensive inspection (including a complex performance check (Upper Austria, Styria and Vienna). Lower Austria, Salzburg and Tyrol provide one (1) inspection every five (5) years.

The regulations for AC systems provide for regular diagnosis and for implementing a minimum maintenance programme.
The minimum maintenance programme describes all the operations to be carried out at a minimum on all the equipment of an AC system, as well as their minimum frequency. A preliminary draft is being drawn up to extend this programme to heating and ventilation systems.

The technical requirements were revised in 2018 to take into account technical and economic feasibility criteria. These regulations and the regulations on heating systems, domestic hot water production systems and combined ventilation systems are now considered as a single EPB regulation on the performance of technical installations.

AC systems with a cooling capacity above 12 kW require inspection within 12 months of commissioning and regular inspections every five (5) years by a recognised certified expert. The frequency of inspections is dependent on the nominal cooling capacity (Table 10). The nominal cooling capacity is determined at the building level. The Flemish Government will further alter the inspection requirements following the updates of provisions introduced by the revision of the EPBD in 2018.

A web application was developed in 2015 to carry out the inspections. This system generates a report including recommendations for cost-effective energy performance improvements.

Only recognised experts that meet certain requirements, attend a specific training course and pass a specific exam are allowed to perform the inspections. Additional training every five (5) years is required as well.

A website supports general communication and campaigns about the inspection of AC systems (Figure 20).

Figure 20: Communication campaign website www.koeljegoed.be.

For AC, two executive orders are in force and concern, among other things, leakage checks. A legal text modification containing energy aspects still needs to be developed.

On the field, there are already professionals who audit AC systems. These inspections are not mandated by regulation.

After the revision of the executive orders is published and in force, accredited AC experts will have to complete specific training at an accredited training centre in order to be allowed to carry out energy inspections on AC systems. Energy-related trainings will complement this scheme.

Accreditations will also be managed by the AwAC to keep a simple and coherent pattern for the recognition procedures of professionals for both heating and AC inspections.

According to the Energy Efficiency Act, AC systems in buildings of a rated output of more than 12 kW are subject to mandatory regular energy efficiency inspection every four years. The number of systems inspected in 2015 and 2016 are shown in Table 4. The inspection includes an assessment of the condition and functioning of the accessible parts of the AC system, the efficiency of the AC system, and the sizing of the AC system compared to the cooling requirements of the building. The sizing is inspected in case of changes made to the system or the cooling requirements of the building in the meantime.

Registered energy auditors, listed in a special public register, which is maintained and administrated by the SEDA and promoted via the SEDA’s website (www.seea.government.bg/en), carry out the inspections. The SEDA is the body responsible for independent control of inspection reports on AC systems. A restricted access database on the condition of the AC systems is maintained by the SEDA (Table 5).

The inspection of cooling/AC systems is obligatory and must be carried out alongside the energy audit of the building for the purpose of issuing an EPC. If not established in parallel with the issued EPC, cooling systems with an effective rated output of 70 kW or more shall be regularly inspected, at least once every 10 years.

Regular inspections of cooling/AC systems in buildings include a visual and functional check of the cooling/AC system, cooled and air-conditioned space, the necessary measurements, a proposal of measures for improving the energy efficiency and/or applying alternative solutions as well as drafting a final report.

The inspection of AC systems is mandatory, to be performed for systems with an effective rated output above 12 kW or when the sum of all AC systems installed exceeds 50 kW of the total output in the same building or building unit. The inspection is mandatory every five (5) years for systems of more than 12 kW and less than 250 kW, and for systems in which the total installed capacity in a building is more than 50 kW. For systems of more than 250 kW, inspections have to take place every three (3) years. Inspections have to be performed according to 'The Guide for the Inspection of Air Conditioning System' issued by the MECI, which describes the steps that have to be followed by the inspector as well as a checklist that has to be completed during the inspection.

According to the legislative framework that was made to harmonise Directive 2018/844/EU, it was stated that by 2020 regular inspections of the accessible parts of AC systems or of systems for combined AC and ventilation, with an effective rated output of over 70 kW, would be established.

Inspections of AC systems with an effective rated output below 70 kW but over 12 kW or 50 kW of total output in the same building or building unit are planned to be retained as optional for building owners.

A study is currently being conducted by the MECI to revise 'The Guide for the Inspection of Air Conditioning System' and to revise the frequency of inspections.

Similar to heating systems, the Energy Management Act requires AC systems with a rated cooling output above 70 kW to undergo regular efficiency inspections in compliance with Decree 193/2013 on the inspection of AC systems (formerly Decree 277/2007), resulting in a written report on the AC systems inspections. The decree also sets out the inspection methodology. The inspection of the AC systems consists mainly of:

1. assessment documentation;

2. visual inspection and a check of the operability of the accessible AC units;

3. evaluation of the AC system maintenance;

4. evaluation of the AC system dimensioning when compared to the building's cooling requirements;

5. evaluation of the AC system efficiency;

6. recommendations for financially feasible improvements of the AC system.

The inspection report must be uploaded to the national database ENEX and can be subject to control.

Until January 2016, Denmark was implementing Article 15 of the EPBD through regular inspections of all AC and ventilation systems with an effective rated output of more than 5 kW. The AC and ventilation systems must undergo an inspection every five (5) years.

As alternatives to inspections (paragraph 3, article 15), the following initiatives have been implemented to help ensure a higher energy efficiency of AC and ventilation systems in Denmark:

• SparEnergi.dk is an informative website concerning how to save energy, targeting both users, companies and the public. There is, among other things, thorough information on demand management, measurement of electricity consumption for cooling, use of passive cooling, troubleshooting and a procurement guide that aims to reduce the heat subsidy from electricity consuming installations.
• Subsidy for electricity intensive companies. ('Tilskud til elintensive virksomheder') ensures that companies can receive subsidies for their Public Service Obligation's payment when implementing energy savings. The scheme closes at the end of 2020.
• The Competitive subsidy scheme related to private enterprises is a result of the energy agreement from June 2018 and distributes DKK 300 million per year from 2021 to 2024. The subsidy can be granted to projects in which more than 50% of the savings can be found in process energy.
• Requirements in the Building Regulations for new space cooling systems includes requirements for controlling of the flow temperature and time control of the cooling. It is assumed that the two requirements result in an energy saving of 5% compared to a situation where the requirements had not been met.
• The Energy Efficiency in State Institutions legislation ('Cirkulæret om energieffektivisering i statens institutioner') was issued as part of the energy agreement of February 2008 but was revised in January 2020 to ensure the implementation of the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive. It is up to each individual ministry to ensure that the goal of reducing energy consumption is achieved.

The Work Environment of Denmark requires a mandatory inspection of a 70 kW cooling system. The Danish Technological Institute has assessed that this inspection in itself does not result in significant energy savings. However, 90% of companies choose to carry out a voluntary inspection focusing on maintenance, where the plant is inspected for faults and the components are cleaned up in connection with the compulsory inspection.

The use of AC systems is not widespread in buildings, due to the prevailing cold climate in Estonia. In cases where an AC system is installed, it usually concerns small devices (heat pumps) with a rated output lower than 12 kW. Larger systems are usually installed in new buildings that must fulfil the minimum energy performance requirements according to the current regulations. The Building Code¹⁶ establishes the following:

In existing buildings with heating or cooling systems whose rated capacity exceeds 70 kilowatts, an inspection of the building’s utility system is performed in order to assess the energy performance. This capacity limit may or may not include a ventilation system. During the inspection, the effectiveness and capacity of the heating source or the cooling unit and the ventilation unit is assessed based on the building’s heating or cooling need. The assessor electronically enters the specifications of the assessment in the register of construction works.

When filing the application for a use and occupancy permit, or a use and occupancy notice, the assessment of the energy performance of a heating or cooling system whose rated capacity exceeds 70 kilowatts is annexed to such an application or notice.

The alternative approach to enhance the energy efficiency of AC systems was implemented in 2013. This approach consists of specific advisory measures, the uptake of the voluntary energy efficiency inspection of ventilation systems, and many other measures that support the enhancement of energy efficiency of AC systems, e.g., building codes, tax reductions, voluntary energy efficiency agreements, energy audits and EPCs.

Starting from autumn 2014, the Ministry of the Environment has commissioned Motiva Oy to act as the coordinator to implement the various measures, initiate communication and gather necessary monitoring information. Motiva works in close cooperation with the stakeholders in the sector, such as RAKLI ry (association for professional property owners, real estate investors, corporate real estate managers and construction clients), Association of Finnish Municipalities, the Finnish Refrigeration Enterprises Association, The Finnish HVAC Association and the Finnish Building Services Industries and Trade (Talteka).

Information on the energy efficiency of cooling in both households and offices has been distributed in various ways. For households, videos on the proper use of air-to-air heat pumps, a guidebook for holiday homes, and advice on summertime cooling (including use of ventilation in cooling and proper use of fans) were produced. For offices and other commercial buildings, a guide on energy-efficient cooling was produced, with information for designing, building, and maintaining AC systems (Figure 10). Through press releases, articles, seminars and training sessions and media, altogether over 4 million contacts have been made.

Figure 10: Energy efficiency guide on AC systems in commercial and public buildings was published in 2016.

A voluntary inspection method for ventilation and AC systems was developed and technical guides for building professionals were produced. Since 2016, over 60 inspectors have been trained as ventilation and AC inspectors, and over 40 inspections have been completed. As of 2016, the ventilation and AC inspectors are under a national certification scheme operated by the FISE Qualification of Professionals in Building, HVAC and Real Estate Sector in Finland (FISE Oy) and The Finnish HVAC Association (Suomen LVI-liitto SuLVI ry).

To implement Directive 844/2018/EU, Finland conducted two impact assessment studies to find out which alternative is best suited for the Finnish heating, cooling and ventilation market. As the studies concluded that the alternative measures are best suited for Finland, development for revised alternative measures to include the new systems was started. The new measures are expected to be reported to the EC on 10 March 2020, and they are pending national approval.

The French regulation on AC systems (imposed by one decree¹⁷ and two ministerial orders) has been in force since 16 April 2010 and was adapted in 2020 to match the new EPBD requirements and to consider heat pumps. France has chosen to implement Article 15 of the EPBD by inspecting at least every 5 years AC systems and heat pumps with an output of 12 kW or more. The officer of the inspection is the owner or the manager of the building.

A report on the results and advice for best use is issued within one month after the inspection. The inspection should include:

• inspection of the AC logbook;
• assessment of system performance;
• assessment of the sizing of the system in relation to the cooling and heating of the building;
• provision of the necessary recommendations concerning proper use of the system in place, possible improvements to the installation as a whole, any benefit from its replacement and other potential solutions.

An extent of the boilers’ maintenance is currently set in place for heat pumps with rated output power between 4 and 70 kW.

In 2007, a compulsory Heizungscheck inspection scheme was introduced for AC systems combined with compulsory maintenance. The combination with regular maintenance allows for longer intervals for the inspections, currently ten (10) years (i.e., twice during normal lifespan).

Energy Act for Buildings (GEG), Energy Saving Regulation (EnEV)

The Energy Act for Buildings (GEG) essentially replaces  the previous regulation in Section 12 (1) of the Energy Saving Regulation and supplements the regulation with the new requirements of the EPBD as amended by Directive 2018/844. In general, AC and ventilation systems of 12 kW or more have to undergo an energetic inspection within certain periods. In specific cases, random checks will suffice; this applies in the case where one building owner has at least ten (10) similar ventilation systems of 12 kW or more each installed in different but similar buildings. Inspection obligations do not apply if an AC system or a combined AC and ventilation system is installed in a non-residential building, or if the building has a system for building automation and control in accordance with the GEG specifications. The same also applies to residential buildings fulfilling these conditions.

In the near future, for AC systems and combined AC and ventilation systems with more than 70 kW, inspections will be carried out in accordance with the specifications included in DIN SPEC 15240: 2013-10.

The eligibility of experts is defined by the Energy Saving Ordinance and comprises different possible combinations of fields of study in engineering combined with specific minimum practical experience concerning ventilation and AC systems. Since May 2014, the experts have to obtain a registration number for each inspection report. For this purpose, they need to set up a personal account with the registration authority DIBt. As many experts are entitled to do both inspections and certificates, it is not possible to determine how many of the 31,422 registered experts actually perform AC inspections. This regulation will be continued in the Energy Act for Buildings (GEG) with only minor changes.

Similarly to the heating systems, the official launch of the registry of the AC systems inspection reports was in January 2016. The information supplied for the heating systems inspection is also supplied for the AC inspection procedure. Screenshots of the first page (out of 14) of the inspection report for AC systems are given in Figure 6.

The AC systems should be inspected at least every five (5) years if their total capacity exceeds 12 kW.

Again, in the period from 2016 to 2019, 43 inspection reports for AC systems had been issued.

Figure 6. AC systems inspection report format.

Split and multi-split AC systems are becoming more widespread in households. According to a law which passed in 2015, systems with cooling capacity higher than 7 kW must be registered in a state authority and should be maintained annually.

The support of AC systems is not a priority of the Hungarian energy policy actions. Instead of subsidising AC systems, the installation of shading devices is preferred. In the 'window exchange' programme for single-family houses and small residential apartment buildings, the installation of shading devices was a priority²⁷.

The EPBD Article 15 Air Conditioning Systems Inspections National Equivalence Report (Ireland) 2018 comparison of the annual energy saving potential arising from a hypothetical regular inspection scheme complying with Article 15(1)–(3) and the alternative approach adopted in Ireland, complying with Article 15(4), is shown in Table 14.

Table 14. Energy & CO₂ Savings Comparison (2015-2017), cooling

The use in air-conditioning in domestic dwellings in Ireland is insignificant. The analysis, conducted in April 2018, shows that the alternative approach in Ireland, consisting of a promotional and financial support, would yield over 110% more energy and CO₂ savings that would be achieved by a hypothetical inspection scheme over the reporting period July 2014 to June 2017. The costs of inspecting each air-conditioning system and the administration of the hypothetical regular inspection scheme have not been quantified as part of this study. These potential costs are likely to significantly reduce the potential annual energy and CO₂ savings arising from the introduction of a hypothetical regular inspection scheme.

The approach followed for inspections of heating systems has also been applied to cooling systems. Regular maintenance of AC systems larger than 12 kW is compulsory and a template has been defined for the compulsory report to be completed by the maintenance staff. Regions are responsible for control of those reports, both through a document analysis and through on-site checks.

Inspectors in charge of this compliance control have to be qualified and certified (at regional level, but equivalences are established nationally), and are contracted by public tenders (if the inspection is performed by a private person or a company) or identified by an agreement (in case of a public organisation).

According to Directive 844/2018/EU, a new decree to modify the regulation of control and inspections of AC systems (including the skills requirements of technical experts) is planned.

The Ministry of Economics aims to revise the current inspection scheme before the new EPBD transposition deadline.

New AC systems are subject to a similar reception procedure as heating systems, carried out by the experts of the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts (Chambre des Métiers).

In existing buildings, inspection of AC systems is performed by certified refrigeration mechanics.

Experts are certified after having completed special training courses. Certifications issued in other Member States can be recognised by the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development.

The inspection of AC systems is enforced by the Environmental Administration.

In order to support refrigeration mechanics in carrying out the evaluation of the overall efficiency and dimensioning of AC systems, the Environmental Administration has produced a guide on the energy efficiency of AC systems¹³. Complementing this guide, a comprehensive checklist summarises the main aspects of energy efficiency and associated recommendations. This qualitative assessment tool is best suited to deal with the high complexity of AC systems, as it allows refrigeration mechanics to judge on-site which aspects of energy efficiency are best suited to the individual AC system.

The methodology being used for AC inspections is based on ‘Technical Memorandum 44: Inspection of Air-conditioning systems, 2012’, issued by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, UK (CIBSE). Inspections are carried out on AC systems which have an effective rated output of more than 12 kW. Inspection frequencies are shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11. Inspection frequencies for AC systems according to effective rated output.

A list with details of accredited AC inspectors is available in the official website. Strict entry requirements are in place for AC inspectors in order to ensure the necessary competency. The AC inspectors must have a degree in mechanical and/or building services engineering, be authorised and have experience in the design and/or maintenance of AC systems.

Owners of AC systems shall commission a registered AC inspector to carry out the inspection. The inspection includes compilation of system documentation, maintenance, verification of the systems energy efficient operation and recommendations for cost-effective improvements to the system. An assessment is also carried out on the efficiency and sizing of the AC system in comparison with the cooling requirements of the building. The AC inspection report drawn up by the inspector is then submitted for registration with the Building and Construction Agency. The report must be handed over to the client, while the Building and Construction Agency retains a copy for the national database.

Similar to what has been described for heating system inspections, a new Legal Notice has come into force and contributes to improving the existing inspection system. The notice provides clearer definitions and describes responsibilities for both the inspectors and the owners of AC systems.

There has been a mandatory inspections regime for AC systems in place since 1 December 2013.

Since 10 March 2020, the EPBD inspection for both heating and air-conditioning systems is mandatory from a nominal power of 70 kW. If one of the two systems is linked to a ventilation system, this ventilation system must also be inspected. Inspection frequency is once every 5 years.

Since 2010, it has also been mandatory to have AC systems inspected. Most AC systems in Norway are for ventilation purposes only, possibly with cooling integrated into the system. The regulation thus requires that systems with a nominal capacity above 12 kW, or systems that serve a heated area above 500 m² in total, must be inspected every four (4) years.

There are no trustworthy statistics available on the number of systems covered by this regulation, but an estimate would be 100,000 systems. As of December 2019, 5,600 systems for cooling and 25,500 ventilation systems have been inspected. Although a great number of systems have yet to be inspected, this scheme is already well introduced within the market. For the system owner it is common practice to order an inspection as part of the regular maintenance, and in turn use the report as basis for further action. The industry organisations for maintenance and installation have undertaken an important role in providing information on the scheme, and this has proven to be vital for the results.

According to the Act on the Energy Performance of Buildings, AC systems with a rated output of over 12 kW should be inspected periodically and at least once every five (5) years.

Inspections of the AC system include an assessment of the efficiency of these systems and their adaptation to the demands of the building and its users.

Requirements for inspectors of AC systems are similar to those for heating systems described under IV.ii. The persons entitled to do periodical inspections must be included in the relevant database of the central register (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Central registry of the Ministry of Development.

The information provided for heating systems should also be considered for AC systems given that there is currently no distinction to the approach.

The provisions around AC system inspections are similar to those for heating inspections, as included in section 2.IV.v.

Inspections of AC systems are based on the assessment of their efficiency under defined normal working conditions and must follow the reference methodologies, among others, based on EN standards, e.g., EN 16798-17. A detailed national methodology is defined in Decree 422/2012. The regular periods of inspection depend on the cooling output of the inspected AC system (Table 8). Inspections are ordered and paid for by the owner of the building or the contractual administrator of the building or the system. The requirements for building owners (or administrators of buildings or systems) are the same as for heating system inspections. Promotional activities are similar to the activities performed in case of inspections of heating systems.

As of 2019, there are 84 licensed bodies and 117 qualified experts registered for the regular inspection of AC systems.

The first summary report was prepared for inspections undertaken in 2011. For 2019, inspections should be implemented for all AC systems with a cooling output of over 12 kW(Table 8). The main summary data for the period of 2011 – 2019 are given in Table 8.

Table 8. Intervals of regular inspections of AC systems.

From the draft amendment of the Act 321/2014 it is expected among others that regular inspections will have to be performed on AC systems with a total installed cooling output higher than 70 kW per building. The following buildings are not subject to regular inspection: buildings that are also not subject to energy certification; non-residential buildings with an installed AC system output higher than 290 kW if they will have BACS installed; residential buildings equipped with BACS enabling continuous monitoring of energy efficiency of the AC system and optimisation of the energy use in the building or are subject of guaranteed energy service. It is proposed to change the interval of the regular inspection of AC systems to 5 years without a differentiation of cooling output. The subject of the inspection should not be ventilation systems as such but only the AC systems or combined (ventilation) systems connected to heating systems. If the system with a heat pump delivers heating and cooling, it should be inspected as a part of an AC system.

Inspections of AC systems are fully in use. Inspections are performed by licensed independent experts, who underwent the relevant training and examination and obtained a licence for the inspection of AC systems. Periodical upskilling of independent experts is mandatory every five (5) years. All AC inspection reports are registered by the Ministry of Infrastructure. An e-register for reports on the inspection of AC systems is maintained by the ministry.

The inspection of AC systems is promoted through different channels; such information activities are planned to be intensified in the near future.

According to the Act on Energy Efficiency, the owner of a building or part of a building must organise for a regular inspection of accessible parts of AC or combined AC and ventilation systems with a rated output of more than 70 kW to take place by a licensed independent expert at least every five (5) years. The first inspection of an AC system or a system for combined AC and ventilation must be carried out within five (5) years from the issuance of the use permit or within five (5) years from the installation or renovation of the AC system or systems for combined AC and ventilation.

The Regulation of Thermal Installations holds the owners of the installations responsible for the mandatory inspection of their thermal installation (Article 25).

At present, AC systems with a rated power equal to or greater than 12 kW must be inspected. The objective of these inspections is to verify the level of energy performance of fixed thermal installations aimed at the health and well-being of citizens.

The agents and inspection entities in Spain, which also cover heating systems, are the Autonomous Communities, which establish the procedures for the accreditation of entities and agents for their realisation. This accreditation obtained in an Autonomous Community allows in any case the performance of technical inspections in any part of the national territory (Article 29).

Accredited agents usually are:

• authorised control organisations;

• competent technicians accredited by an accredited entity for the certification of persons;

• maintenance companies.

In the case of Madrid, the link is as follows:

www.madrid.org/cs/Satellite?c=CM_Tramite_FA&cid=1354361028204&definicion=ComunicacionesDeclaraciones&language=es&pagename=ComunidadMadrid%2FEstructura&pid=1109265444835&segmento=1&tipoServicio=CM_Tramite_FA#.V-DfaYhF9Uk.facebook

Following the established procedure, the owner of the system selects the agent or inspection entity of his choice from a public list of qualified or accredited experts, companies or entities, which is updated by the Autonomous Community.

The Autonomous Communities themselves have control systems over the inspections, as well as the agents, companies or entities that carry them out.

See 2.IV.v.

Overview, technical method and administration system

Air Conditioning (AC) inspections were phased in between 2009 (systems > 250 kW) and 2011 (systems > 12 kW). Installations must be inspected by an accredited Energy Assessor at regular intervals not exceeding five years.

From 2012, all new AC inspection reports must be lodged on the Non-Domestic Energy Performance of Buildings Register for England & Wales²³. Lodging the AC inspection report enables the building owner or manager to check the validity of the report by accessing an online copy. The report is publicly accessible from the Energy Performance of Buildings Registers using the building address or the report reference number.

Arrangements for assurance, registration and promotion of competent persons

Inspection of Air-conditioning Systems (TM 44)⁵⁹ guidance sets out good practice for AC inspections. The Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) is one of the main professional institutions for building services engineers.

National Occupational Standards (NOS)⁴⁵ and Scheme Operating Requirements (SOR)⁴⁶ have been established for AC inspections. NOS provide two levels of accreditation for assessors: “Level 3” for simple packaged cooling systems, and “Level 4” for complex, centralised systems. SOR define minimum requirements for Accreditation Schemes and the quality assurance of AC reports.

Promotional activities

Publicity campaigns were run in 2008 and 2009 to promote a range of initiatives, including AC inspections. The Government has not run promotional activities focused solely on AC inspections.

See England report for details.

The Northern Ireland arrangements for AC inspections mostly mirror the English provisions. See England report for details. The English Accreditation Schemes, which accredit AC inspectors, are approved by the Department of Finance of Northern Ireland so that inspectors can operate in Northern Ireland. Provisions specific to Northern Ireland include:

• the mandatory registration of AC inspection reports on the Northern Ireland EPC Register since 2013; to date more than 2,700 reports have been recorded in total;
• promotional activities for AC inspections including an Energy Wise²⁶ media campaign with radio coverage, posters and leaflets, workshops and presentations to key stakeholders’ groups, etc.

AC inspections were phased in between 2011 and 2013. In the same building, multiple systems < 12 kW but totalling 12 kW or more, qualify for an inspection if they are centrally controlled. Portable systems and AC of process only loads do not qualify.

Inspections are required throughout the life of the building, as long as a qualifying AC system is present. Building owners must ensure AC systems are inspected by an accredited expert who issues a report setting out recommendations and timescales for the next inspection. AC inspection reports are not recorded on a central register.