If you have a high-capacity AC installed in your home or your business, you must get it assessed every five years. The goal of an accredited air conditioning energy assessor’s evaluation is to increase efficiency, lower energy use, operating costs, and carbon emissions. The energy assessor will highlight possibilities to replace older, less energy-efficient or oversized ACs with new systems while making suggestions on how the operations of the existing AC units might be improved. In this regard, UK residents should be up-to-date with the Air Conditioning Legal Requirements in the UK.
If you’re thinking of fitting a new air conditioning system on your property? Then it would help if you had an idea about the air conditioning legal requirements in the UK. It would be advantageous to equip yourself with facts to avoid project hiccups and ensure a smooth installation. Keep reading to understand air conditioning regulations in the UK.
Air Conditioning Legal Requirement in the UK: Do You Need Planning Permission for Air Conditioning in the UK?
‘Planning permission’ refers to seeking consent from local authorities for large-scale developments and significant alterations to existing buildings. These approvals ensure that new or altered buildings complement their surroundings and don’t negatively affect the people in and around them. However, installing a small air conditioning system falls into the category of permitted developments, which you can go ahead and do without asking permission first. Projects needing planning permission tend to be more prominent and noticeable outside your property. Installing a more extensive air conditioning system entails getting prior permission; therefore should contact your local authority if you have any questions about planning permission.
Other Air Conditioning Regulations You Might Need to Follow
Apart from obtaining planning permission before going ahead with a large AC installation, there are other AC regulations that you need to bear in mind, such as:
Noise Pollution
There aren’t any specific noise-related air conditioning restrictions, but you can be required to relocate or remove an outdoor unit if your neighbours complain about it. Installing your exterior unit far away from neighbouring properties would help you avoid this problem. You might also think about utilising plants or fencing as soundproofing.
F-gas Regulations
Air conditioning systems contain refrigerants known as ‘F gases’. Air conditioning regulations state that anyone installing or working on a system needs to be adequately qualified. The engineer and the company they work for must have a certificate for working on equipment containing F gas.
If you’re looking for an F gas qualified installer, we at Split Level Air Conditioning can help. We’ve got the skills and qualifications to set you up with a system that meets all air conditioning legal requirements in the UK. Get in touch with us for your free quote today.
Does Air Conditioning Require Building Regulations?
Generally, smaller businesses or domestic buildings don’t require building regulation approval as it’s covered under the terms of permitted development rights. You probably won’t need planning permission as long as:
- The external unit isn’t on a pitched roof.
- There’s no wind turbine at the property.
- The external unit isn’t installed within a metre of the edge of a flat roof.
- The volume of the external compressor unit doesn’t exceed 0.6³
- The external unit is more than a metre away from the property’s boundary.
Do Larger Capacity AC Systems Require Approval?
Yes, it does. Where larger domestic buildings and commercial premises are concerned, you may need to apply for planning permission – depending on the size and intended position of the air conditioner unit in question. You’ll also need to consider the potential noise levels of the outdoor unit, as that could be a factor if these reach disturbing or annoying levels for your neighbours.
Is Air Conditioning Needed in the UK?
There is no compelling answer to this as it depends on individual circumstances. However, when residents in the UK experience a heat wave, it’s then that the demand for AC installations increases to make homes cooler. Compared to homes in the US, only a tiny percentage of houses in the UK have AC systems installed. One reason for this could be that most homes in the UK are much older than in the US and require extensive plumbing to install new AC systems. Most new homes or recently refurbished homes and apartment units have AC units installed. Generally, AC units are more common in offices or commercial buildings with high foot traffic. These high-traffic areas subsequently have an increased need for cooling systems. They also get year-round use as they serve both a cooling and heating function.
Air Conditioning Unit Repair
- Air conditioning units provide hot and cold air, meaning you only need one system for all your climate control requirements.
- Good AC systems aid with air purification.
- Air conditioning units are fast acting, meaning there’s no waiting time for them to start cooling.
- Generally, residents in the UK experience warm weather for around four months a year. During that time, an air conditioner helps cool off.
Hiring an Air Conditioning Specialist
Air conditioners have three main components: a compressor, a condenser coil, and an evaporator coil. They also have a special refrigerant chemical that looms through the system, absorbing and removing heat. These three components quickly convert the refrigerant from gas to liquid and back to gas. It’s difficult to get all these units fitted per the manufacturer’s specifications unless you are a professional.
Are you in need of the services of a specialist AC installation company. We at Split Level Air Conditioning have the right tools and qualified personnel to get your AC fitted correctly to ensure its smooth operation.
How Often Should Air Conditioning Systems Be Serviced in the UK?
Air conditioning has become the norm in most offices and homes in the last few years. As the summer arrives, everyone’s reliance on air conditioners increases. An air conditioning system should be serviced yearly, even if you do not suspect that your AC unit has problems. Generally, before the hot summer months arrive, it’s advised to get your AC checked by a competent AC service team from Split Level Air Conditioning. It’s common knowledge that every year your AC is in operation and not serviced, the AC loses its efficiency, which means the unit will have to work harder. The harder the AC unit functions, the more parts will wear and tear, affecting the compressor.
Searching for “air conditioning services Surrey“? Get in touch with Split Level Air Conditioning! We provide AC maintenance and repairs for homes and commercial buildings in London and Surrey.
When Are Air Conditioning Inspections Required?
The air conditioning legal requirements in the UK point out that if your AC system capacity is more than 12 KW, it should be checked by a qualified AC technician and provide you with a TM44 inspection certification every five years. However, if you want your AC to function correctly, you should at least get it checked yearly. Additionally, it pays to have them checked more regularly, especially if:
- The AC system hasn’t been used for a while.
- The AC is extensively used for both heating and cooling.
- The unit rattles and makes noises during operation.
- The AC system is operating in dirty and dusty atmospheric conditions.
- Drips can be seen around condensers, pipes or units.
- The blown air doesn’t seem as cool as it should be. This could be a sign of a gas issue.
- The existing air conditioning installation is too small or not powerful enough for the size of the office or home.
What is a TM44 Inspection?
An air conditioning system will not stay new forever. In this respect, a qualified Split Level Air Conditioning technician must perform a TM44 air conditioning inspection or an air conditioning performance verification. If your property is equipped with air conditioning over 12kW, it is required by law to undergo a TM44 regulatory inspection. To comply with this regulation, it’s necessary to ensure that the energy inspector conducts a thorough inspection of the air conditioning system. Verification involves many checks and is an essential part of the safety and efficiency of the entire system. The TM44 inspection report is valid for five years.
What Happens During a TM44 Inspection?
Split Level Air Conditioning is a leading air conditioning and HVAC solutions company based in Surrey. Our energy evaluator does several checks during the inspection, such as:
- System efficiency
- Size check
- Advice on future improvements
- Exchange advice as needed
Do Portable AC Units Require Approval Before Installation?
A portable AC unit is a mobile unit that doesn’t require permanent installation. They’re easy to install and function by removing the heat from the air in your room through a small exhaust. You can move a portable AC from the room to wherever it’s most needed. Mobile AC units are not fixed to a wall and don’t include a separate outdoor unit. As such, portable AC units don’t require prior approval from the authorities.
Looking for the best air conditioning maintenance in Surrey? We’ve got you covered! With over 20+ years of experience in the air conditioning industry, we set our customers up with bespoke systems that comply with all relevant air conditioning legal requirements.
Call us on 01372 277 248 or email [email protected] or visit splitlevelairconditioning.co.uk and leave a callback request.