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What is a Building Energy Rating
(BER)?
A BER is an objective scale of comparison for the energy
performance of a building ranging from A1 to G and looks
similar the A to G rating for a household electrical
appliance. The BER is based on primary energy demand and the
BER scale ranges from “A1” (most efficient) to “G” (least
efficient).
What are the key dates for implementing BER in
Ireland?
BER implementation is phased in three steps:
- BER Assessment of new dwellings: the
requirement came into effect on 01 January 2007.
Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new dwellings
for which planning permission is applied on or before 31
December 2006, where the new dwellings involved are
substantially completed on or before 30 June 2008.
- BER Assessment of new Non-Domestic Buildings:
will commence on or after 1 July 2008.
Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new non-domestic
buildings for which planning permission is applied on or
before 30 June 2008 provided the new non-domestic
buildings involved are substantially completed by 30 June
2010.
- BER Assessment of existing buildings when
offered for sale or letting: the legislative
requirement will come into effect on or after 1 January
2009.
When is there an obligation on builders/building
owners to have a BER for a dwelling?
1) 1 January 2007: Newly constructed dwelling for
which planning permission was applied for on or after 1
January 2007.
- When the new dwelling is offered for sale “off plans”:
a provisional BER certificate must be produced by the
vendor to potential buyers or tenants, based on the pre-
construction plans; and when the same new dwelling is
completed, a BER certificate must be supplied to the
purchaser, based on the plans of the dwelling as
constructed (to take account of any design changes during
construction.
- When a new dwelling is built for a specific
owner-occupier: A BER certificate must be procured by the
person commissioning the dwelling, prior to taking up
occupation of the dwelling.
2) 1 January 2009: Sale or letting of an existing
dwelling.
A BER certificate must accompany an offer to sell or let an
existing dwelling by the vendor or by the landlord or by
their agent (e.g. auctioneer, estate agent, solicitor).
How long will it take to obtain a BER certificate?
Generally BER assessments will take one week from the
receipt of payment and all required information (see the BER
Assessment page for details of the information required). We
submit the assessment results to the BER administration
system maintained by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) for
lodging on the BER register. SEI generates the certificate
and returns it to us. We then despatch the certificate and
advisory report to the client.
How much will it cost to obtain a BER certificate
for a new dwelling or a Draft BER certificate for an
existing dwelling?
The BER Assessment fee will, to a certain extent, be
determined by the level of information available prior to
commencement of the assessment:
- Our fee for a BER Assessment of a new dwelling starts
at €280 plus VAT assuming that all of the necessary input
information can be provided by the client; and
- Will be less than €280 plus VAT for a standard
dwelling in a housing estate or a standard apartment in an
apartment block providing we are assessing a number of
dwellings in the same development or apartment block. We
would be pleased to discuss a lump-sum fee arrangement for
multiple assessments in such instances.
- For existing second-hand dwellings, Residential Energy
Audit fees will vary according to the dwelling size and
complexity and the level of information relating to the
dwelling that is available prior to commencement of the
assessment. Owing to the nature of such assessment we will
be pleased to quote an appropriate fee on a case-by-case
basis.
- An additional fee of €25 is payable to SEI for
publication of BER certificates on their BER register.
What can be done to improve a BER assessment?
The advisory report which we provide with the BER
certificate will contain recommendations on how to improve
the energy performance of your home. Building energy
performance improvement options might include measures such
as:
- Insulating the hot water cylinder and pipework;
- Increasing the insulation in the walls/attic/floor;
- Installing advanced energy efficient glazing;
- Introducing measures to promote controlled and healthy
ventilation;
- Inefficient boiler replacement;
- Installing modern heating controls;
- Renewable energy heating system installation.
What is the validity period of a BER certificate?
A BER certificate will remain valid for a period of 10 years
from the date of issue, unless there is a material change to
the building in the meantime which could affect its energy
performance. Examples of material changes include:
- An extension to the building
- A significant change to the building fabric or
- A change in the heating system or fuel used.
If a property which has received a BER is placed on the
market for sale within 10 years of the BER certificate being
issued, and the property has experienced no relevant
alteration in the meantime, then the original BER
certificate may be used by the building owner for the
purposes of meeting their obligations under the Regulations.
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