Most building owners see TM44 inspections as a legal requirement and nothing more. You get the certificate, lodge it with the Landmark Register, and move on. But that approach misses the real value of this inspection hiding in plain sight. These assessments can uncover serious inefficiencies in your cooling systems that drain thousands from your energy budget every year.

When you’re selecting between different TM44 inspection companies, you want assessors who look beyond the paperwork. The best inspectors treat each visit as a full diagnostic check of your air-conditioning setup. They spot wasteful patterns, oversized units running at half capacity, and control systems that haven’t been optimised since installation. That’s where the savings start adding up.

The Real Purpose Behind TM44 Assessments

Legal Requirements Meet Practical Value: The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations mandate TM44 inspections for systems over 12 kW of cooling capacity. These checks must happen every five years for most commercial properties. But the legislation was designed with a dual purpose. Yes, it ensures compliance, but it also pushes building operators to think about efficiency.

What Inspectors Actually Examine: During a proper assessment, the inspector doesn’t just count units and tick boxes. They measure actual output against rated capacity, check if your controls make sense for how the building is used, and review maintenance records. Buildings with multiple split units often hit the 12 kW threshold without anyone realising it. That’s when inefficiencies become expensive.

Hidden Costs in Plain View: Many properties operate cooling systems that were never right-sized for the space. Perhaps the original design assumed higher occupancy, or previous tenants had different needs. You end up with equipment cycling on and off constantly or running at partial load. Both scenarios waste energy and shorten the lifespan of your kit.

Common Problems Found During Inspections

Oversized Systems Running Inefficiently: One of the most frequent findings involves air-conditioning units that are far too powerful for the spaces they serve. A meeting room with a 5 kW unit when 2 kW would suffice means you’re paying to cool air that doesn’t need cooling. The compressor works harder, uses more electricity, and the room never feels quite comfortable because the system can’t dehumidify properly at low loads.

Poor Control Strategies: Buildings often have cooling systems with basic or non-existent controls. Units run on simple timers set years ago, or they operate at full blast whenever someone hits the switch. Modern Building Management Systems can adjust output based on occupancy, outside temperature, and time of use. Without proper controls, you’re cooling empty offices at weekends and overnight.

Lack of Regular Maintenance: Filters get blocked, refrigerant levels drop, and condensers become covered in dust. These issues reduce cooling efficiency by 20-30% in some cases. The system has to work longer to achieve the same temperature, which shows up clearly on your electricity bills. A TM44 inspection highlights maintenance gaps that building managers might overlook during routine checks.

How Multiple Small Units Add Up

The 12 kW Threshold Catches Many By Surprise: You might think your building doesn’t need a TM44 because you only have wall-mounted splits in a few offices. But the regulations combine all units that work together as a system. Three 4 kW splits and one 5 kW unit in the server room? That’s 17 kW total and you need an inspection.

Typical Scenarios in Commercial Properties: Office buildings with multiple meeting rooms often accumulate units over time. Each room gets its own split system installed as needed. Before long, you’ve got eight or nine units totalling well over the threshold. The problem is that nobody planned them as a unified system, so they work against each other.

Energy Bills That Don’t Make Sense: If your cooling costs seem high for the size of your building, multiple inefficient units might be the culprit. Each one operates independently with no coordination. Some rooms get over-cooled because the thermostat is in direct sunlight, triggering all units to run harder. The waste compounds across every system.

Acting on TM44 Recommendations

Understanding the Report: After the inspection, you receive a detailed report with specific recommendations. These might include replacing outdated units, installing better controls, or adjusting setpoints. The report also identifies which improvements offer the quickest return on investment. Some changes pay for themselves within months through reduced energy consumption.

Prioritising Improvements: Not every recommendation needs immediate action. Perhaps your inspector suggests upgrading to variable refrigerant flow systems eventually, but highlights that simply fixing broken thermostats and cleaning filters would cut your bills by 15% right now. Smart building operators tackle the quick wins first.

Compliance Plus Savings: When you address the inefficiencies flagged during a TM44 inspection, you’re not just meeting legal requirements. You’re reducing operating costs, improving comfort for occupants, and extending the working life of your cooling equipment. The inspection becomes an investment rather than an expense.

Benefits Beyond the Certificate

• Reduced energy consumption from properly sized and maintained systems leads to lower monthly bills.
• Better indoor air quality when filters are changed regularly and systems operate as designed.
• Extended equipment lifespan because units run at appropriate loads instead of being overworked.
• Improved tenant satisfaction when cooling systems maintain consistent comfortable temperatures.
• Clear documentation for property transactions or ESG reporting requirements.

Why Professional Assessment Matters

Experience Counts: An assessor who understands building systems can spot problems that less experienced inspectors miss. They recognise when equipment is struggling, when controls are misconfigured, or when maintenance schedules need adjustment. The quality of recommendations depends entirely on the inspector’s expertise.

Realistic, Actionable Advice: You need practical suggestions that work for your building and budget. Generic recommendations help nobody. Good assessors consider your property type, how you use the space, and what changes make financial sense. They understand that listed buildings or older properties need different approaches than modern offices.

Conclusion

A TM44 inspection shouldn’t be viewed as just another compliance task to complete every five years. When done properly, it reveals exactly where your cooling systems waste energy and money. The findings give you a clear roadmap for improvements that reduce bills and increase comfort. If your building has air-conditioning capacity over 12 kW, booking an assessment with experienced professionals helps you meet legal requirements and uncover hidden savings at the same time.