Building Energy Rating (BER) in Clare and Limerick
BER Certificate
BER – what is it?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) is similar to the energy label for a household electrical appliance like your fridge. The label has a scale of A-G. A BER certificate is now compulsory for all new homes.
From the 1st of January 2009 a BER certificate will be compulsory for all homes being sold or rented.
It is the responsibility of the seller / landlord to have the BER Certificate available. Assessments can only be carried out by registered assessors. It is advisable for house sellers to have an assessment done as soon as possible. The completion of your house sale may be delayed without it.
In addition, once an assessment has been carried out, potential improvements can be identified, and following these improvements a better rating is possible.
How is a BER calculated?
A BER is based on the characteristics of major components of the dwelling (wall, roof and floor dimensions, window and door sizes and orientations) as well as the construction type and levels of insulation, ventilation and air tightness features, the systems for heat supply (including renewable energy), distribution and control, and the type of lighting. It covers annual energy use for space heating, water heating, 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 per year (kWh/m2/yr) represented on an A to G scale (see BER certificate); and
- associated Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in kgCO2/m2/yr
(see BER Certificate)
A BER is only an indication of the energy performance of a house. Actual energy usage will depend on how the occupants operate the house. A BER does not cover electricity used for purposes other than heating, lighting, pumps and fans, i.e. does not include for cooking, refrigeration, laundry etc.
What does the process involve?
New houses can be assessed from plans and specifications provided by a client / architect.
For existing houses, a home visit is required. As you may appreciate all information needs to be gathered during this one visit . So it may be useful to have the following available:
- Electric, gas bills
- Documentation to show date of house construction and extensions
- In addition, it would be helpful to have unrestricted access to any loft areas, boiler rooms and hot water storage areas.
It is important to note that where levels of insulation cannot be assessed, SEI have set DEFAULT values based on the regulations in force at the time of construction. These defaults can be improved upon only where substantiating documentation (e.g. receipts, photos, guarantees) of any home improvements that relate to energy performance is present. (For example extra insulation, solar system fitted, pump-fill of walls).
Once all data is gathered, the SEI software (DEAP) is used to calculate the buildings rating. This software can also be used to determine approximate costs of heating and hot water for the building.
Along with the BER certificate, you will also receive an advisory report which will help you to identify how you might improve the energy performance of your home.
In addition to a standard advisory report I can produce a more detailed report showing the cost vs. Benefit of a range of improvements to the dwelling / plans. This is done in a completely impartial way and can concentrate on simple, cost effective improvements, as well as considering more substantial works.
What do I do next?
Where the house is not built yet, forward me the plans and whatever specifications you already have. I will then be able to give a written quote.
In relation to an existing house it is best to have a brief discussion over the phone about the dwelling to be assessed. Dwellings come in all shapes and sizes, and have many differing attributes. I will then be able to give an estimated cost and arrange a home visit.
Generally depending on service required and distance prices will vary from €300—€600 +VAT.