BER Assessments:
Why do we require a BER?
From January 1st 2009 a BER certificate is required by law for all new and existing dwellings, offered for sale, lease or rent, as well as all new self build houses. The BER allows the seller to make the energy performance of a home visible to prospective buyers, occupiers and tennants, and enables them to take energy performance into consideration in their next building purchase or rental decision. Provisional BER certificates are also required for any new buildings being sold off plans. Most councils require a provisional certificate with planning application.
How is a building rated?
Each building will be rated by one of our Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) registered BER assessors, and a BER certificate issued. This energy performance certificate which is a requirement of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, is similar to the energy cert on a fridge and carries a scale from A1-G, with A1 being the most efficient. There are many benefits that BER will bring to anyone purchasing or renting a house. The rating aside, the accompanying Advisory Report will be a useful guide to the range of cost effective improvements that can be made to improve the building's energy performance.
Who is the issuing Authority?
SEI is the issuing authority with responsibility for the registration of BER assessors, lodging of BER assessments, and the overall administration of the BER scheme. In order to obtain a BER, a homeowner must have an assessment carried out by a certified BER assessor company such as Green Man Energy, trained under the national framework of qualifications and registered with SEI.
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. New homes offered up for sale off plans can be issued with a provisional BER which is valid for a maximum of 2 years.
How is a BER calculated?
A BER is calculated for a dwelling using the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP3). It consists of step by step calculations within a series of individual modules.
The modules dealt with:
- Building Elements
- Ventilation
- Heat Losses
- Domestic Hot Water
- Internal Heat Gains
- Solar Heat Gains
- Mean Internal Temperature
- Space Heat Use
- Space Heating Requirements
- Total Energy Use and Fuel Costs
- Energy Emmissions
The SEI Registered Assessors then use the calculations emerging from these modules combined with measurements take from drawings or on site to produce an overall calculation of annual energy demand and CO2 emissions and your BER rating.
What is an Advisory Report?
An advisory report accompanies every BER certificate, and at Green Man Energy we can on request provide the advisory report prior to issuing the certificate. This allows the building owner to carry out cost effective improvements which will result in a better BER rating. These improvements will not only improve your BER, but could also increase the value or desirability of your property, and reduce energy costs.
The advisory report is a key component in the BER system and is an invaluable aid to home buyers in particular.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Fines of up to €5000 may apply for non-compliance with the regulations.
Building Energy Rating BER Assessor Waterford, Building Energy Rating BER Assessor Cork, Building Energy Rating BER Assessor Kilkenny, Building Energy Rating BER Assessor Wexford,
Building Energy Rating BER Assessor Carlow,
Building Energy Rating BER Assessor Tipperary,
Domestic BER. Home BER, Commercial BER, Non-Domestic BER, SEI Registered.