Regulations
What the law requires.
Inspections and obligations change regularly and differ per region. This page gives you the current state of play, with links to the official sources.
Flanders
Air conditioning inspection (comfort cooling above 12 kW)
Air conditioning systems for comfort cooling with a total nominal cooling capacity above 12 kW at building level must be energetically inspected every five years by a recognised air conditioning energy expert. New installations get their first inspection within twelve months of commissioning. Cooling used solely for processes or storage is exempt.
Official source (Dutch): aircokeuring.vlaanderen and the recognition as air conditioning energy expert.
Heating: inspection, maintenance and audit
A new or modified central heating system must be inspected before it is taken into use. After that, periodic maintenance applies: every two years for gas, yearly for heating oil and solid fuels. Older installations also require a periodic heating audit.
Official source (Dutch): inspection and maintenance of your heating (Vlaanderen.be).
Refrigerants and F-gases
Work on cooling installations containing fluorinated greenhouse gases (which covers most air conditioners and heat pumps) may only be carried out by recognised refrigeration technicians and companies. Depending on the refrigerant charge, periodic leak checks apply as well.
Official source (Dutch): recognition as refrigeration technician (Vlaanderen.be).
Ventilation for new builds and major renovations
Residential new builds and major energy renovations fall under the EPB ventilation requirements. Since 2016 a recognised ventilation reporter must be appointed, who draws up a ventilation design before works start and verifies the achieved air flows afterwards.
Official source (Dutch): EPB-pedia on ventilation (Vlaanderen.be).
Wallonia
Wallonia has similar but not identical obligations. Air conditioning systems above 12 kW must be checked every five years there too, but the rules and frequencies for heating differ from the Flemish ones.
Official sources (French): energie.wallonie.be and the PEB regulations on wallonie.be.
Regulations change regularly. The official sources above are always leading; if you are unsure what applies to your installation, just give us a call.
Frequently asked questions about inspections
Does my air conditioning need a mandatory inspection?
In Flanders it does if the total cooling capacity of the building exceeds 12 kW and the cooling serves comfort purposes: an energetic inspection by a recognised expert is then required every five years. Not sure about your capacity? Call us and you will know right away.
How often does my heating need maintenance?
In Flanders: every two years for gas, yearly for heating oil or solid fuels. A new or modified installation must also be inspected before use, and older installations require a periodic heating audit.
Can I work on my air conditioner or heat pump myself?
Not on the refrigerant circuit. It contains fluorinated greenhouse gases and only recognised refrigeration technicians may work on it. Cleaning filters yourself is fine, of course.
Does Wallonia apply the same rules as Flanders?
Largely similar, but not identical. The air conditioning check above 12 kW exists there as well, while heating maintenance frequencies differ. Check the official Walloon sources or simply run your situation past us by phone.
Not sure what applies to your installation?
Call us and describe your situation. You will know right away whether an inspection is needed and what it involves.
Asking your question by phone is free. A site visit starts from €750, always with a written report.