BER: Guidelines and Regulatory Framework

As defined by the  SEAI in the Guide for Building Energy Rating for Homeowners : “A Building Energy Rating or BER is an energy label with accompanying advisory report for homes. The rating is a simple A to G scale and is a mandatory requirement for all homes offered for sale or rent. A BER is also required before a new home is occupied for the first time.”

What is the BER
The Building Energy Rate (BER) was created as a tool to help monitoring and improving the overall building energy efficiency.
Since BER begun a mandatory information to be disclosed for properties’ rental and sale advertisements include BER score, or in any case, the interested person is entitled to ask that information to the landlord, agent or seller.

This “information right” has been the focus of the  SEAI BER TV advert launched in 2013:

Building Energy Rating in Ireland
The Statutory Instrument regulating the requirements for BER is “S.I. 666 of 2006“. It is Ireland’s implementation of the Directive on the energy performance of buildings.

Establishments that require a BER:
The building owner must obtain a BER before a new building is occupied for the first time regardless of whether it is offered for sale or rent.
In Ireland each new dwelling built from January 1, 2007 required a BER, unless planning application was lodged prior to December 31, 2006. From January 1, 2009, it became illegal to offer a dwelling for sale without BER.
From July 1, 2008 a BER is necessary for new non-residential buildings where planning permission is required.
From January 1, 2009 BER ratings are required for any existing buildings offered for sale or rent, regardless of the age of the building.
There are exemptions for certain categories of buildings like protected buildings which are considered in the S.I. No.243 of 2012.
 
How is BER calculated
The Building Energy Rating (BER) is a measure of how energy efficient is a building ( residential or commercial). It is calculated  based on the residence primary energy consumption. Estimations are made through a software specifically released by the SEAI called Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) based on  how much energy the space need for heating and cooling, water heating and lighting.The DEAP software is also used to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the house.
A BER score has the same meaning of an energy label for a household electrical appliance like a whishing machine. The rating a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and will tend to have the lowest energy bills.

What is a BER Certificate?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate represents the Grade of energy efficiency assigned to a building after a technical evaluation. The Certificate is normally accompanied by an Advisory Report which includes adviseble Retrofits that could improve the energy performance of the building and consequentially the BER.

Image from Kerry Property Sales

Validity of the BER Certificate
The certificate has a validity of 10 year from its release and contains the following information:

• Building name and address;
• BER grade;
• the date issued and until when is valid;
• the identification number of the BER assessor which released the certificate.

BER Assessments
BER assessments can be conducted only by registered BER Assessors, which complied with the following 3 compulsory requirements:

1. Have been trained under the National Framework of Qualifications;
2. sustained and passed the SEAI BER Assessor exam;
3. are registered with the SEAI.

What is the SEAI
S.I. 243 of 2012 European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations, 2012   makes provisions for the inclusion of BER information in property sale and rental advertisements.  The regulations also mandate that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) as the designated Issuing Authority shall publish guidelines as to how Building Energy Rating (BER) details would be conveyed such advertisements.

Compare your BER now and find out if your home is an energy champion or an energy waster.

Feautured Image : EcoEfficiencyIreland