In accordance with the EPBD (European Performance of Buildings Directive) all air conditioning systems in England and Wales, with a rated output of 250 kW or greater, had a legal requirement to be inspected by 4th January 2009. Air conditioning systems account for a large proportion of the energy used in a building, and have therefore been specifically targeted in the new legislation. The aim is to provide building owners and occupiers with information about the systems performance and identify opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions thus saving energy and money.
Building owners and facilities managers who control the operation of air-conditioning systems have statutory obligations and duties of care in the operation and maintenance of air-conditioning systems and are responsible for commissioning this report which, once issued, will be valid for five years.
What happens during an inspection?
Inspections will vary depending on the complexity of the installed system. An air conditioning system consisting of refrigeration equipment, air movement systems and their controls will be surveyed and all relevant documentation such as manuals, drawings, maintenance records, commissioning data and control strategies will be inspected. An assessment of the system will be undertaken to determine if it is suitably sized for the cooling loads in the treated spaces and the overall effectiveness of the system. The report will conclude with observations and recommendations on energy-saving opportunities to include:
- the condition and state of maintenance of your air conditioning system
- the adequacy of the installed controls and control settings, and suggestions for improvement
- an assessment of the size of the installed system in relation to the cooling load
- advice on improvements that could be made to your system’s energy efficiency
- suggestions for minimising or avoiding the need for air conditioning
Although you are under no obligation to act on the advice in the inspection report, making the recommended changes is likely to reduce your energy consumption and costs.
Key dates
- First inspection of all existing systems over 250 kW cooling capacity must be completed by 4th January 2009.
- First inspection of all existing systems over 12 kW must be completed by 4th January 2011.
- New systems over 12 kW installed after January 2008 must be inspected within 5 years of being put into service.
Ongoing management of air conditioning systems
As well as the mandatory inspections, you should manage your air conditioning system on an ongoing basis. You should keep a maintenance checklist, which includes information on the management of:
- condensers
- pipework insulation
- fans, filters and air ducts
- thermostat calibration
- safety - keeping air conditioning equipment clean and free from legionella
- refrigerant charge and leakage
You can improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system by:
- ensuring your cooling and heating systems are not both in operation at the same time
- switching off unnecessary electrical equipment
- letting the building cool naturally overnight
- placing heat-emitting equipment in separate, naturally ventilated areas
- keeping windows closed when air conditioning is on
- taking advantage of any external shading
- setting controls correctly to reduce the need for cooling