Building
Energy Rating
Since
January 2007 all new houses that are offered for sale or rent must undergo an energy
performance assessment under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which will
result in the issue of a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate. An assessment is also
required for any self build-house before the occupant moves in.
The
EU Directive will require a BER to be registered for all buildings in time.
On 7
January 2007, BER Certificates became mandatory for all newly built dwellings for sale or
rent in Ireland. The next phase will require a BER for existing residential units. After
that the scheme will extend to buildings other than residential structures. |
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The methodology for the BER
assessment, the training of the assessors and the monitoring of the scheme by Sustainable
Energy Ireland (SEI) are all designed to provide an objective rating of the energy
efficiency of a structure. The BER should quickly become a discriminating factor in the
sale of buildings, particularly in the housing market. For this reason, and given the much
higher cost (and the level of disruption involved) of retro-fitting energy saving
measures, it is of the utmost importance that all builders, but particularly those people
embarking on a self-build project, get a Provisional Assessment and Report based on the
construction plans before the work is commenced. Solarwave provides a Provisional
Assessment and Report, and the final BER certificate, for the same price per unit as the
normal BER certificate given at completion.
The BER survey is carried out by a
registered
assessor. |
Registered
assessors must have successfully completed a training programme and must have met all
other requirements set for inclusion in the scheme, which includes confirmation that they
have professional indemnity insurance.
Where
a house is being offered for sale off plans a Provisional BER Certificate must be supplied
by the vendor to potential buyers or tenants. This certificate is based upon the
pre-construction plans. When the dwelling is completed the vendor is obliged to provide a
new BER Certificate. The Provisional Certificate is valid for two years. The BER
Certificate upon completion is valid for 10 years. If the house is not sold from plans,
there is no requirement for a Provisional Cert.
A
provisional assessment has the potential to highlight measures that should be taken at an
early, and less costly, stage. Along with the certificate, the assessor provides the
homeowner with an Advisory Report setting out options for improving the energy performance
of the property.
The
BER Certificate rating system runs from an A1 rating (the most efficient) to G (least
efficient). Any rating greater than a B2 rating will exceed Building Regulations 2005).
It is
expected that a high scoring BER Certificate will add value to a house.
Costs:
Property below 50 sq. m (540 sq. ft.): €350. Above 50 sq. m: €7 per sq. m.
Contact us for a no-obligation
consultation or to book a BER survey
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