ES · Expiry & renewal tracking
Don't let the efficiency inspection of your thermal installations slip
Heating and hot water systems with heat generators over 70 kW and air conditioning systems with cooling generators over 70 kW in Spain undergo an energy efficiency inspection every four years (RITE, Royal Decree 1027/2007, Article 31 and IT 4.3). The owner arranges it with a regionally accredited entity.
Thermal installations are inspected periodically throughout their service life to check that they meet the energy efficiency requirement of the Spanish Regulation on Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE); technical instruction IT 4 sets which installations, with what content and at what intervals (Article 31.1 of Royal Decree 1027/2007). Inspections are carried out by entities or agents qualified or accredited by the autonomous community, freely chosen by the owner (Article 31.2). The owner is responsible for having the mandatory inspections carried out (Article 25.5).
Every four years, inspections cover heating systems and combined heating, ventilation and domestic hot water installations with heat generators of more than 70 kW rated useful output, excluding hot-water-only systems up to 70 kW (IT 4.2.1 and IT 4.3.1), and air conditioning systems and combined air conditioning and ventilation installations with cooling generators of more than 70 kW (IT 4.2.2 and IT 4.3.2). The inspection assesses, among other things, the generator's efficiency and sizing; afterwards a report with recommendations is issued to the building's owner or tenant.
When an installation over 70 kW is more than fifteen years old, counted from the issue of the first certificate, the complete thermal installation is also inspected, with an expert opinion on improvements for the owner (IT 4.2.3). This inspection coincides with the first generator inspection after fifteen years and is repeated every fifteen years (IT 4.3.3). Exempt are, among others, installations covered by an energy performance contract and buildings with a building automation and control system meeting IT 1.2.4.3.5 (IT 4.3.4).
At a glance
| Heating, ventilation and hot water (heat generators > 70 kW) | Every 4 years (IT 4.3.1) |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning and ventilation (cooling generators > 70 kW) | Every 4 years (IT 4.3.2) |
| Complete thermal installation (> 70 kW and over 15 years old) | With the first inspection after 15 years, then every 15 years (IT 4.3.3) |
| Who inspects | Entities or agents qualified or accredited by the autonomous community, chosen by the owner (Article 31.2) |
| Minimum values at inspection | Heat generator efficiency at least 80%; cooling generator EER at least 2 (IT 4.2.1 and 4.2.2) |
| Report | Given to the building's owner or tenant (IT 4.2.1 and 4.2.2) |
Who is responsible?
The installation's owner is responsible for having the mandatory inspections carried out and for keeping records of all work done (Article 25.5 RITE). The owner freely chooses the inspecting entity or agent among those authorised (Article 31.2).
If the deadline passes
If the inspection rates the installation as conditional, defects must be corrected within six months; otherwise the autonomous community may suspend the energy supply. With a negative rating, the autonomous community must suspend it until an acceptable rating is obtained (Article 32). Breaches of the RITE are governed by Articles 30 to 38 of the Industry Act 21/1992 (Article 43).
Not the same as maintenance
This periodic inspection is separate from the maintenance done by the maintenance company. With an acceptable rating, any minor defects are noted and their correction is proven within three months (Article 32.1).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add an entry for each installation over 70 kW and set the due date to four years after the last efficiency inspection.
- If the installation is more than fifteen years old, add a second entry for the complete installation inspection.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day itself.
- The inspector can upload the report through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the building maintenance manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often is the RITE energy efficiency inspection due?
- Every four years for heating and hot water systems with heat generators over 70 kW and for air conditioning systems with cooling generators over 70 kW (IT 4.3.1 and 4.3.2 RITE).
- What about installations of 70 kW or less?
- IT 4.2 only requires periodic efficiency inspections above 70 kW; hot-water-only systems up to 70 kW are expressly excluded (IT 4.2.1).
- What is the complete installation inspection?
- An inspection of the whole installation over 70 kW once it is more than fifteen years past the first certificate, with an expert opinion on improvements; it is repeated every fifteen years (IT 4.2.3 and 4.3.3).
- Who can inspect?
- Entities or agents qualified or accredited by the autonomous community, freely chosen by the owner (Article 31.2 RITE).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for heating and cooling energy efficiency inspection (RITE) (Spain)
A ready template for heating and cooling energy efficiency inspection (RITE) (Spain) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each heating and cooling energy efficiency inspection (RITE) (Spain) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each heating and cooling energy efficiency inspection (RITE) (Spain) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.