Property owners remain blissfully unaware of mandatory air conditioning inspections
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (Cibse) conducted an informal survey to determine the level of awareness for mandatory air conditioning inspections among property owners and found it to be “worryingly low”, according to hvnplus.co.uk. Survey results show that 33% of energy assessors place client awareness of inspections between 0% and 10%.
In addition to inspection awareness, the survey undertook to determine the impact of measures implemented under the auspices of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Some of the news was promising, for instance, residential and commercial air conditioner owners are well aware of the importance of Energy Performance Certificates, which were deemed “very important” by over 50% of property professionals. 30% of clients request detailed surveys from Energy Assessors, 25% requested price quotes for recommendations and 21% indicated that they implement recommendations made by Energy Assessors.
Price is a decisive factor in the implementation of recommendations. Once again 33% of assessors are in agreement, and state that over 75% of clients only want to pay the absolute minimum for a certificate and neglect to take other important considerations into account.
According to Jacqueline Balian, managing director of Cibse Services, government action may be necessary to convey the importance of implementing recommendations. “The most valuable element of an EPC is the recommendations report and it is the only way we have any hope of really reducing actual carbon emissions from buildings. Cibse is therefore calling upon the Government to make implementation of the highest impact recommendations a requirement for any building which receives an F or G grade,” she says.
Mandatory inspections are primarily aimed at fixed units, but it’s a good idea to have your portable air conditioning units checked as well, just to be safe.
