Mandatory air conditioning maintenance in 2026: what the law says

Maintaining your air conditioning is not just good practice: in many cases, it is a legal obligation. Here is what the regulation provides for in 2026, and why regular maintenance protects your health, your wallet and the environment all at once.

What the law requires

Two main obligations govern the maintenance of air conditioning systems and heat pumps:

• A leak-tightness and proper-operation inspection every two years for thermodynamic systems with a rated capacity between 4 kW and 70 kW.
• Annual servicing for installations containing more than 2 kg of refrigerant or exceeding 12 kW of capacity.

These checks must be carried out by a professional holding the certificate of competence to handle refrigerants.

Why it matters

Beyond the regulatory aspect, regular maintenance has very concrete effects:

• Air quality: clogged filters spread dust, bacteria and unpleasant odours.
• Performance: a well-maintained appliance consumes less for the same comfort.
• Longevity: you prevent costly breakdowns and extend the equipment's lifespan.
• Climate safety: you detect refrigerant leaks, whose impact on the climate is significant.

How often, and for what budget?

For a private individual equipped with a split or a reversible air-to-air heat pump, annual servicing is strongly recommended, ideally before the hot season. The price depends on the number of units and the type of installation. The simplest option is to take out a maintenance contract: scheduled visits, controlled pricing and ongoing monitoring of your equipment over time.

What does a maintenance visit include?

Cleaning or replacing filters, checking the refrigerant circuit, verifying pressures, cleaning the heat exchangers, checking the condensate and testing operation in both cooling and heating mode. The technician also checks the refrigerant used, a key issue with the new refrigerant regulation.

Proclimo offers maintenance contracts tailored to your equipment. Contact us to schedule your next visit with complete peace of mind.