By Graham Munro, Head of Energy Services, energyTEAM
Trading Standards officers are getting tough on firms who ignore the rules for air-conditioning inspections, but it is not the threat of a fine, still a paltry £300, that is persuading firms to take the law seriously. It is the cost of running an inefficient, energy-guzzling system that is focusing their minds.
If your establishment uses air-conditioning, but you don’t know that you risk a fine, or are prepared to risk a fine, you should read on anyway! It may be time to reassess…
Air-conditioning uses a lot of energy
Air-conditioning systems are notoriously high users of power, a typical system could account for up to 40% of a building’s energy consumption. However, energyTEAM always sees these inspections as an opportunity to save money, rather than just another imposition on businesses. The continuing bad news on energy costs can only reinforce the argument.
What’s it all about?
Under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, all businesses with air-conditioning systems with a rated output of more than 12kW must have these systems inspected by an accredited engineer at intervals of not greater than 5 years. For a typical air-conditioned building this equates to a floor area of around 80 to 150 metres squared, and the rules have been in effect since January 2011. Larger systems of 250kW+ have been required to commission inspections since 2009.
Inspections, not routine maintenance
These inspections should not be confused with routine maintenance, and must be undertaken by engineers with Air-conditioning Energy Assessor Accreditation. The assessment cannot and should not be carried out by your regular maintenance engineers – they will not have the right accreditation and they cannot, in any case, be expected to report on their own work.
In fact, most of the faults found are the result of lapses in maintenance.
What’s the point?
The purpose of the inspection, and the all-important report that goes with it, is to ensure that building owners or managers are provided with information that gives an indication of the likely efficiency of the air conditioning systems for which they have responsibility, together with some practical advice on how energy efficiency or effectiveness might be improved.
Following up the advice in the inspector’s report could often result in immediate improvements to the effectiveness of air-conditioning systems
- improving the comfort, efficiency and productivity of staff
- reducing operating costs
- quickly repaying the cost of the inspection
From basic maintenance…to replacing the system
In many buildings it will be clear that the equipment has been well commissioned and is already being regularly maintained to a good standard. In other cases the inspector may suggest relatively basic maintenance or simply adjusting or upgrading time and temperature controls.
However inspectors may find that equipment is simply not up to the task and is costing the company an inordinate amount and delivering a very inefficient result. Even in such extreme cases, replacing the entire system will soon pay for itself, unwelcome as the news about the need for capital expenditure may be.
Common faults found by energyTEAM assessors are:
- Blocked filters making the unit have to work harder to reach its target temperature.
- Air leakage through torn ducting
- Blocked and corroded condenser coils reducing system efficiency
- Wet and worn insulation reducing the ability to maintain desired temperature levels within the building
- Un-insulated valves on chilled water components putting the whole system at risk of catastrophioc failure
- Obstruction on top of units was making the condenser and fan motor work excessively hard
- Oily stains indicating refrigerant leakage, which is in fact illegal
- Wrong controller settings
Take action
Although it may sound obvious, the inspection and report will benefit the owner or manager only if its findings are acted upon.
Any faults corrected or adjustments made will be paid for out of the savings on energy costs, and when was the last time you had a chance of actually seeing your energy bill reduce?
About energyTEAM
energyTEAM is an independent energy consultancy established in 1976 to help organisations manage energy expenditure.
Over the years they have developed an innovative range of services to help clients with all aspects of their energy needs. The aim is to reduce clients’ energy spend and usage, whilst ensuring compliance with government energy legislation.
For more information click here