Building Energy Rating (BER)

The Building Energy Rating (BER) Information Website

A Building Energy Rating (BER) label, rating or certificate is similar to the energy label for a household electrical appliance like your fridge. The label has a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G the least efficient.

A BER certificate is compulsory for almost all new homes since mid 2008. If you are buying or renting a new house or apartment now, you are entitled to a BER - so ask the seller/landlord or their agent for it.

From the 1st of January 2009 a BER certificate is compulsory for all homes being sold or rented.. To see what a Building Energy Rating Certificate looks like please click Sample Building Energy Rating Certificate

BER Assessment...

BERs are be carried out by specially trained BER assessors, registered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). A list of BER Assessors is available here. It is an offence for persons not registered with SEI as BER assessors to purport to carry out a BER assessment service for the purposes of the Regulations.

When do I need a BER?

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 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 Buildings: (dwellings and other buildings) when offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009.
• Large Public Service Buildings: A public body shall, in relation to a large building occupied by it on or after 1 January 2009, secure and display a BER certificate in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.

Who is entitled to a BER

A seller must provide a BER to prospective buyers or tenants when a home is constructed sold or rented under the following circumstances:

• New homes when planning permission was applied for after 1st Jan 2007
• All homes for sale or rent after 1st Jan 2009

Fines of up to 5K for non-compliance. There are exemptions for certain buildings such as protected structures and temporary buildings.

How long is a BER valid for?

A BER is valid for up to 10 years provided there is no material change to the dwelling that could affect energy performance. Provisional Building Energy Ratings for houses sold off plans are valid for 2 years On completion of such houses a full BER must be supplied to the buyer.

How is BER calculated?

A BER is based on the characteristics of major components of the dwelling i.e.:

• wall, roof, and floor dimensions,
• window and door sizes and orientations
• construction type and levels of insulation,
• ventilation and air tightness features,
• the systems for heat supply,
• the type of lighting

How is BER measured?

BER covers annual energy use for space, heating, water supply, ventilation, lighting and associated pumps and fans calculated on the basis of a notional standard family with a standard pattern of occupancy.

The energy performance is expressed as

• primary energy use per unit floor area, which is represented on a scale of A-G
• associated CO2 emissions per metre squared per year

BER Links