What is a BER?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) is similar to the A to G rating for a household electrical appliance, a BER ranges from A1 to G, where A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G-rated homes are the least energy efficient.
What does a BER cert look like?
When is a BER legally required?
Existing Buildings: (dwellings and other buildings) when offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009
New Dwellings: The regulations apply to new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st January 2007. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new dwellings for which planning permission is applied on or before 31st December 2006, where the new dwellings involved are substantially completed on or before 30th June 2008.
New Non-Domestic Buildings: The regulations apply to new non-domestic buildings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st July 2008. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new non-domestic buildings for which planning permission is applied on or before 30th June 2008 provided the new non-domestic buildings involved are substantially completed by 30th June 2010.
Existing Non-Domestic Buildings: When offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009.
What buildings do not require a BER?
- Protected Structures – listed/historical buildings
- National Monuments
- Buildings used as places of worship
- Non-residential agricultural buildings with an installed heat capacity that does not exceed 10W/m2 (i.e. no heat capacity besides lighting)
- Industrial buildings with an installed heat capacity that does not exceed 10W/m2
- Stand-alone buildings with a total floor area of less than 50 m2
What are the implications for non-compliance?
Fines not exceeding €5,000
Who will carry out the BER?
BERs will be carried out by specially trained BER assessors, registered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). A list of BER Assessors is available on the SEI website. BER assessors must have successfully completed a training programme that meets the requirement of a Training Specification which was published in October 2006. This specification may also be viewed and downloaded on the SEI website.
Functions of a BER Assessor
- Complete a BER assessment; relevant to the dwelling specifications using DEAP (The Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure is the official Irish procedure for calculating and assessing the energy performance of dwellings).
- Submit the assessment to Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the issuing authority
- The BER Certification Label, issued by SEI, is printed by the Assessor.
- The BER ‘Detailed Report’ and ‘Advisory Report’ is then given to the client. How is a BER calculated?
How is a BER calculated?
The Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure is the official Irish procedure for calculating and assessing the energy performance of dwellings. The procedure takes account of the energy required for space heating, ventilation, water heating and lighting, less the savings from energy generation technologies.
For standardized occupancy, it calculates annual values of delivered energy consumption, primary energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and costs, both totals and per square metre of total floor area of the dwelling.
How can a BER be improved?
The BER Certificate comes with an accompanying advisory report. This report outlines recommendations as to what you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. You may then choose to implement some or all of the changes outlined.
How long is a BER valid for?
A BER is valid for up to 10 years provided that there is no material change to the dwelling that could affect its energy performance. The maximum term of validity for a provisional BER certificate is 2 years.
Is a BER required for a property for sale from plans?
A Provisional BER is required if you are selling any dwelling from plans. The Provisional BER label must be provided to the potential buyer of the property. This label is based on pre-construction plans. This label lasts for two years from the date of issue
How much does a BER cost?
Charges vary depending on building size and whether it is being rated from plans or for an existing building. Please contact us for a quotation for your building
How do I find out more information?
Please do not hesitate to contact us at +353 (0)1 2983000 or by emailing us at info@cerl.ie
