TM44 Report Recommendations Explained: What You Must Fix vs What’s Advisory (2026 Guide)

If you have recently received a TM44 inspection report, one section usually causes the most confusion: the recommendations.

Business owners, landlords, facilities managers, and managing agents often ask the same questions:

• Are TM44 recommendations mandatory?

• What happens if we ignore them?

• Which recommendations matter most during audits?

• Do we need a follow-up inspection after making changes?

This guide breaks everything down clearly, honestly, and practically, so you know exactly what to fix, what to plan, and how to stay compliant without overspending.

What Are TM44 Report Recommendations?

A TM44 inspection is a legal assessment of air conditioning systems with a combined cooling capacity over 12kW. The inspection evaluates energy efficiency, condition, controls, and operational performance.

As part of this process, the assessor issues recommendations within the TM44 report. These recommendations are designed to:

• Improve energy efficiency

• Reduce running costs

• Highlight compliance risks

• Identify operational inefficiencies

• Reduce the likelihood of enforcement action or fines

To understand how these recommendations are generated, it helps to first understand what happens during a TM44 inspection, which we explain step by step here:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/what-happens-during-tm44-inspection/

Mandatory vs Advisory: The Most Important Distinction

This is where most people get it wrong.

TM44 recommendations are not all equal.
They generally fall into two categories:

1. Mandatory (High-Risk) Recommendations

These relate to issues that:

• Affect legal compliance

• Indicate serious inefficiency or faults

• Increase enforcement or audit risk

Ignoring these can leave your business exposed.

2. Advisory (Improvement) Recommendations

These focus on:

• Energy savings

• System optimisation

• Long-term performance improvements

They are not usually enforced immediately, but they still matter, especially for larger organisations or multi-site portfolios.

Are TM44 Recommendations Legally Enforceable?

Here is the honest answer:
The inspection itself is mandatory. Acting on recommendations is not directly enforced by law.

However, enforcement authorities do not assess compliance in isolation.

If:

• Your system is inefficient

• Issues were clearly identified

• No corrective action was taken

• Energy performance or MEES standards are breached

…then TM44 recommendations become evidence during enforcement or audit reviews.

This is why TM44 compliance is often reviewed alongside:

• EPC ratings

• MEES requirements

• Energy audits

• Environmental compliance checks

You can read more about this connection here:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-and-mees-2025-energy-ratings/

The 10 Most Common TM44 Report Recommendations (Explained)

Below are the most frequent recommendations we see across offices, retail, hospitality, industrial sites, and multi-site portfolios.

1. Poor Time Controls and Scheduling

Systems running outside occupancy hours is one of the biggest energy wasters.

Typical recommendation:
Adjust time schedules to match actual building use.

2. Incorrect Temperature Setpoints

Heating and cooling setpoints too close together cause systems to fight themselves.

Typical recommendation:
Introduce a deadband between heating and cooling modes.

3. Simultaneous Heating and Cooling

Often seen in VRF/VRV systems or poorly zoned buildings.

Typical recommendation:
Review zoning strategy and control logic.

4. Dirty Filters, Coils, and Heat Exchangers

A basic issue with a big impact.

Typical recommendation:
Improve maintenance frequency and cleaning schedules.

5. Oversized or Underutilised Equipment

Common in buildings that have changed use.

Typical recommendation:
Reassess load demand and equipment sizing.

6. Refrigerant Leaks or Poor Refrigerant Management

Efficiency drops sharply even with small leaks.

Typical recommendation:
Leak detection, repair, and improved monitoring.

7. Faulty Sensors or Controls

Incorrect readings lead to poor system behaviour.

Typical recommendation:
Calibrate or replace faulty sensors.

8. Inadequate Zoning

Large zones with different usage patterns waste energy.

Typical recommendation:
Reconfigure zones or introduce better controls.

9. Lack of Heat Recovery

Missed opportunities to reuse waste heat.

Typical recommendation:
Consider heat recovery where technically feasible.

10. Incomplete Documentation or Records

This is a big audit issue.

Typical recommendation:
Update O&M manuals, drawings, and system logs.

If you want a system-by-system breakdown, our TM44 inspection checklist explains what assessors look for in detail:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-inspection-checklist-2025/

Quick Wins vs Capital Projects

Not all recommendations require major spending.

Quick Wins (Days to Weeks)

• Adjust time schedules

• Reset temperature setpoints

• Clean filters and coils

• Fix obvious control faults

These often deliver immediate energy savings.

Medium-Term Actions (Weeks to Months)

• Improve zoning

• Replace faulty sensors

• Update controls

Capital Projects (Planned Upgrades)

• Equipment replacement

• Major control upgrades

• Heat recovery installations

This approach aligns with what we explain in our guide on reducing energy waste through TM44 inspections:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-inspections-2025-save-energy-compliance/

How Auditors and Enforcement Bodies View TM44 Recommendations

During audits, inspectors typically ask:

• Was a TM44 inspection carried out?

• Is it lodged correctly?

• Is it still valid (within 5 years)?

• Were serious issues identified?

• Was any action taken?

They are not expecting perfection, but they are looking for evidence of responsible management.

This is especially relevant for businesses facing increased enforcement activity, which we cover here:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-enforcement-powers-inspections-fines-2026/

What If Your TM44 Report Is Missing, Expired, or Not Lodged?

This is more common than people realise.

Common problems include:

• Report never lodged on the register

• Lost documentation

• Inspection expired

• Incorrect building details

If this applies to you, the safest route is to arrange a new inspection and correct lodgement.

We explain how the booking process works here:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/how-to-book-tm44-inspection-2026/

Multi-Site Businesses: How to Prioritise Recommendations

For portfolios with multiple locations, the key is risk-based prioritisation.

Start with:

• Sites with the highest energy use

• Expired or near-expiry certificates

• Known system issues

• Sites due for EPC or MEES review

Our dedicated guide for multi-site businesses explains this in depth:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-for-multi-site-businesses-uk/

Do You Need a Follow-Up TM44 Inspection After Fixes?

In most cases, no immediate re-inspection is required.

However, you should:

• Keep evidence of completed actions

• Update maintenance records

• Document control changes

If major system changes are made, a new inspection may be sensible for clarity and future audits.

What to Do Next After Reading Your TM44 Recommendations

1. Identify high-risk issues

2. Implement quick wins first

3. Plan medium and long-term upgrades

4. Keep clear documentation

5. Schedule reminders for renewal

If you are unsure where to start, this guide explains whether you need a TM44 inspection at all:
👉 https://tm44.uk/news-blog/do-i-need-a-tm44-inspection-uk-compliance-guide/

Final Thoughts

TM44 report recommendations are not just paperwork. When understood properly, they become a roadmap for compliance, efficiency, and cost control.

Businesses that act early:

• Reduce enforcement risk

• Lower energy bills

• Improve audit readiness

• Avoid rushed, expensive fixes later

Handled properly, TM44 compliance stops being a burden and starts becoming an advantage.