BER energy rating service
We can provide you with a complete BER Energy Rating service with advice on how to save money on those ever increasing energy bills.
Being qualified architects, our advice is knowledge based and has been proven with long experience in the bulding industry.
If you have plans already prepared, we can perform an analysis of your design and provide you with options on the best approach to future proofing your house.
For your information:
BER assessments are carried out in Ireland by registered Home Energy Assessors who have trained under the National Framework of Qualifications and have registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI).
Home Energy Assessors must meet requirements set by SEI, including the signing up to a Code of Conduct. It is an offence for persons not registered with SEI as Home Energy Assessors to purport to carry out a BER assessment service for the purposes of the Regulations.
The Home Energy Assessor measures, for example, the size of the house, the construction, the insulation levels, the type of windows, details of the heating and hot water systems, etc. This information is then used to calculate the energy performance of the house and to give it an energy rating. All assessors are required to follow a standardised procedure and calculation methodology to arrive at a rating.
There is no set fee for a Building Energy Rating Assessment and the advice is to shop around for the best price of Home Energy Assessors. Early indications are that the cost in Ireland for domestic buildings will be approx. €350 for an existing home and less for a new home, due to the fact that the drawings and specifications are readily available. The exact amount of the BER fee will be determined by competition among Home Energy Assessors. For non-residential buildings the fees will vary according to whether the building is new or existing, and according to building size and complexity.
Home Energy Assessors will be charged a fee of €25 to submit a BER assessment to SEI for publication on the National BER Register.
Frequently Asked Questions about a BER energy rating….
Q. What is a BER?
Q. What does a BER certificate look like?
Q. Why is there a need for Building Energy Rating (BER)?
Q. How much will it cost?
Q: What is a BER?
A: A BER (Building Energy Rating) is a standard calculation of the energy performance of a building, produced by a qualified assessor using procedures including calculation method and software approved by SEI and including a survey of the building where required by direction of SEI. It is rather like the mpg or l/km rating for a motorcar or the A to G rating for a household electrical appliance.
Q: What does the BER Certificate look like?
A: A BER is based on primary energy demand and the BER scale ranges from “A1” (most efficient) to “G” (least efficient). To see what each band relates to in terms of primary energy demand, download a copy of a BER Certificate.
Q: Why is there a need for Building Energy Rating (BER)?
A: A Building Energy Rating (BER) is a requirement of the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (2002/91/EC of 16 December 2002), which has now been transposed in Ireland by the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 666 of 2006)
The building owner is required to provide the BER to prospective buyers and tenants. BER will, therefore, make the energy performance characteristics of the building transparent to prospective buyers and tenants. As a result, buyers and tenants will be able, for the first time, to take energy performance into consideration in their decision to purchase or rent a building.
Overall, the message in a market context is: “information is power”. BER is about equipping the consumer with information and the consequent power to act in their own best interests.
Q: How Much will it cost?
A: Guide to our current prices, (based on the relevant information being provided, ie plans/sections & elevations, insulation/glazing/wall specifications, boiler details etc.)
Small to Medium size apartments from as little as €250 Large size apartments from as little as €280
3 Bed Semi-detached house from as little as €285
4 Bed Semi-detached house from as little as €330
One-of stand alone dwelling from as little as €350
Massive discounts for multiple units (as much as 50%) All Prices are Ex VAT .
For previously sold dwellings an additional fee for an on-site survey must be added to the above prices, to cover the cost of preparing a full measured architectural survey of the house. This will be charged on a time basis. Should you have the scaled drawings available, then let us know and we will revise the price accordingly.
Additional Resources
Q. What are the BER implimentation dates in Ireland?
Q. How can I improve my BER?
Q. Who pays the cost of BER Certification?
Q. How long will a BER Certificate remain valid?
Q. What will happen if I do not obtain a BER for my dwelling as required by law?
Q: What are the BER implementation dates in Ireland?
A: The requirement to provide a BER is being introduced on a phased basis as follows:
- 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 dwellings 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 Buildings (dwellings and other buildings) when offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009.
Q: How can I improve my BER?
A: An Advisory Report accompanies every BER certificate and will contain recommendations on how to improve the energy performance of your home. You may then choose to implement some or all of the improvements outlined.
These improvements may help:
- Improve the BER of your home
- Increase the value of your property.
- Reduce the home heating bills
- Improve home comfort
Q: Who pays the cost of BER Certification?
A: All costs associated with obtaining a BER are payable by the builder (including self build) / Developer (whether an individual, a local authority or other housing provider) to National Energy Assessors.
When BER becomes applicable in 2009 to existing properties being offered for sale or letting, the owner (directly or through their agent) is responsible for any fees payable to Building Energy Rating Experts.
Q: How long will a BER Certificate remain valid?
A: A BER Certificate will be valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
Q: What will happen if I do not obtain a BER for my dwelling as required by law?
A: If you do not comply with a BER requirement you will be liable, on conviction in the District Court, to a maximum fine of €5,000. Failure to secure a BER certificate at the proper time could hinder or delay the legal completion of a sale or letting or a future disposal of the relevant dwelling.