Air conditioning inspections for buildings

Efficient Air is recommendind a document issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government titled "A Guide to Air Conditioning Inspections for Buildings".

As well as listing the statutory obligations of building owners and managers under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) the document outlines the benefits that can accrue from a compulsory inspection of air conditioning systems.

The regulations require the first inspection of the affected air-conditioning systems that have been put into service on or after January 2009 to take place within 5 years of the date when it was first put into service.

But for systems where the effective rated output is more than 250kW the first inspection must happen by January 4 2009.

Darren Jones, head of Efficient Air Consulting, who became the first fully approved Energy Assessor of complex air conditioning systems under the new regulations, comments: "It is vital that all owners and managers of buildings with systems over 12kW familiarise themselves with the new regulations.

"For companies in the 250kW category, the clock really is ticking, as they must secure their inspections by January 4 2009".

According to Darren, the benefits of an inspection are not only to meet the statutory requirement and avoid a fine, but also to have a through audit of a system that in some cases might comprise 80 per cent of a building's energy consumption.

Darren adds: "All the inspections that we have carried out so far, from the Tower of London to large office blocks and industrial units, have shown vast potential for simple and inexpensive cost saving.

The DCLG booklet is a useful start, and I would urge managers to consider what impact an inspection might have on their bottom lines".

For details on how to obtain the booklet, or to enquire about an inspection, contact Darren Jones at Efficient Air Consulting on 01825 748150 or email Darren.Jones@efficientair.co.uk.

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