Building Energy Ratings
January 2009
The following guide by Sustainable Energy Ireland explains the new BER system for measuring the energy efficiency of homes and apartments. Since 1 January 2009 all homes being sold or rented must have a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate.
What is a Building Energy Rating?
A Building Energy Rating or BER allows potential tenants or purchasers to determine how energy efficient the dwelling is, particularly in relation to energy required for space heating, ventilation, water heating and lighting.
It is similar to the energy label on your fridge with a scale of A1-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G the least efficient.
Who needs a BER?
If you are a homeowner and plan on letting or selling a house or apartment, you are obliged by law to provide prospective buyers or tenants with a BER certificate.
The certificate will be accompanied by an advisory report, which sets out a range of recommended upgrade measures which the buyer/tenant may decide to undertake in order to improve the energy and cost efficiency as well as the overall comfort of the home.
These can be undertaken at the homeowners/buyers discretion and at a time of their choosing.
Where do I go to get a BER?
Sustainable Energy Ireland has a registered list of trained BER Assessors who are qualified to provide a BER for your dwelling (see links below).
All registered assessors have appropriate qualifications, have completed accredited training, securing a satisfactory pass mark in an exam and have committed to a prescribed code of practice.
What should I do before engaging a BER Assessor?
In accordance with the prescribed code of practice, the BER Assessor must provide a written description of the proposed services, with information on cost (including VAT and expenses) and a disclosure of any relevant business interests pertaining to the dwelling.
Relevant business interests may include manufacturers, installers or other third parties who may be engaged directly or indirectly by the homeowner arising from energy-related advice provided by the BER Assessor (e.g. an insulation manufacturer or heating service company).
How do I choose a BER Assessor?
When deciding on a BER assessor, consider the following:
- Location (travel distance may increase cost)
- Recommendation of friends, neighbours or colleagues
- References (ask the assessor for names of clients in the area)
- Price (ensure the price is written in a quotation which specifies all aspects of service included)
- Range of additional services available (you may want additional services beyond the basic rating/certificate such as guidance on the recommendations in the advisory report)
- Availability (are the available within your preferred timeframe)
The BER Assessor must not commence any work relating to the assessment without the client's explicit acceptance their quotation.
Where possible, this acceptance should be in writing. Once an agreement is reached then the BER Assessor must arrange in advance with the homeowner the assessment date and time for the completion of the assessment and (if relevant) ensure that tenants have been notified about the assessment visit.
How much will my BER cost?
The cost of a BER is not fixed. It will vary from assessor to assessor and depends somewhat on the complexity of the dwelling being assessed, distance to be travelled by the assessor and also what, if any, additional services the assessor may offer in conjunction with the BER assessment.
SEI encourages homeowners to contact a number of BER Assessors prior to deciding which one is right for you.
What will the BER Assessor do/measure?
A BER Assessor must identify themselves to the person at the property at the time of the assessment and before entering the dwelling must show:
- A copy of their BER Registration Certificate and
- Valid photo identification (driver's licence or passport) or
- Any ID card which may be issued by SEI to the homeowner
As part of the assessment, the BER Assessor will perform a survey of the dwelling and record various items such as:
- Dimensions and orientation of the dwelling
- Sources of ventilation and draughts
- Details on insulation type of construction in walls, floors, roofs, windows and doors
- Hot water system (including heat sources and type of fuel, hot water storage and water heating controls)
- Low-energy lighting
- Space heating system (including heat sources and type of fuel, heat distribution, heating controls and pumps)
- Renewable or energy saving technologies
How do I know the work will be done properly?
Under the Code of Practice all assessors make particular commitments with respect to:
- Competence
- Professionalism
- Customer service
- Insurance coverage
All listed assessors are required to submit their respective assessments to the National Administration System or NAS.
The NAS is the official database for all ratings, and upon submission the rating is subject to a number of automatic verification and validation tests.
SEI also performs quality audits on work carried out by BER Assessors to ensure compliance with defined BER procedures. The BER Assessor is also obliged by the BER Assessors Code of Practice to keep all data related to the BER assessment confidential.
What should I get once the assessment is finished?
Upon successful submission of the BER to the NAS, the Assessor will then supply a BER Certificate and an Advisory Report to the homeowner, setting out a range of recommendations to improve the BER for the particular dwelling in question.
How long is a BER valid for?
It is valid for up to 10 years, provided there is no material change to the dwelling that could affect its energy performance.
Learn more
Read the Code of Practice for BER Assessors
Search the National Register of BER Assessors