A BER gives an objective scale of comparison for the energy demand and performance of a building. It is described as been similar to the efficiency rating given to white goods such as fridges, freezers, and washing machines currently in use in your home. The rating is expressed in the form of bands from A to G, 'A' being the most energy efficient to 'G' being the least efficient.

Arising from the Kyoto protocol, the EU has identified the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as an important objective. The most significant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, almost half of the energy related carbon dioxide emissions derive from energy use in buildings. In 2000, the EU Commission's Action Plan on Energy Efficiency indicated the need for the introduction of specific measures in the building sector, in response the Commission published the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in May 2001. It was adopted by the European Parliament and Council and on the 4th January 2003 the Directive became European Law. The EU Directive will, when fully implemented in 2009, require a BER to be registered for all buildings.

A 'Provisional BER Certificate' must be produced by the vendor to potential buyers or tenants, when the new dwelling is offered for sale "off plans". This certificate is based upon the pre construction plans. When the new dwelling is completed, the vendor must arrange for a final BER certificate to be supplied to the purchaser, based on the plans of the dwelling as constructed (to take account of any design changes during construction).

The owner/developer of the new dwelling will engage a registered BER assessor to carry out the BER based on the plans and specifications for the new building. All BER Assessors will be required to follow a standardised procedure using an approved calculation methodology and to adhere to a standard code of practice.

We normally survey the dwelling to record, for example, the size of the dwelling, the construction, the insulation levels, the types of windows, the ventilation features, details of the heating and hot water systems, etc. This information will then be used to generate the BER which represents the energy performance of the dwelling. We follow a standardised procedure using an approved survey and calculation methodology to generate the rating. A BER of an existing dwelling being offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009 must be carried out by a registered BER assessor, at the expense of the owner - who must provide the resulting BER certificate and advisory report to prospective buyers/tenants.

If you do not comply with a BER requirement you will be liable, on conviction in the District Court, to a maximum fine of €5,000. Failure to secure a BER certificate at the proper time could hinder or delay the legal completion of a sale or letting or a future disposal of the relevant dwelling.

Building energy performance options might include measures such as:

• Insulating the hot water cylinder and pipe-work.
• Increasing the insulation in the walls/ attic/floor.
• Installing advanced energy efficient glazing.
• Replacing an old or inefficient boiler with a more efficient boiler.
• Installing modern heating controls.
• Installing certain types of renewable energy heating systems.

A BER for a building will be valid for 10 years from the date of issue, unless there is a material change in the building in the meantime which could affect its energy performance - for example an extension to the building, a significant change to the building fabric or a change in the heating system or fuel used. Therefore if a property which has received a BER is placed on the market within 10 years of that BER being issued, and the property has experienced no relevant alteration in the meantime, then that same BER may be used by the building owner for the purposes of meeting their obligations under the Regulations.

BER will mean that anyone buying a house will be able to check the energy performance of the house and get an indication of the annual running costs. It will allow people to take energy costs into consideration in their purchasing decisions.
BER will allow house hunters to compare the energy performance of two different houses on an equal scale. It will allow you to compare two houses that on the surface appear very similar or equally two very different houses. BER will ultimately improve energy awareness in the property market and this awareness can be expected over time to place a higher value on energy efficient properties, it is likely that homes who have low ratings will wish to improve and maximise the energy performance of their property, thus increasing the comfort, affordability & value of their dwellings.

A person wishing to sell or let a house will be required to get a BER carried out by a registered BER assessor and to provide prospective buyers or tenants with this information. This will increase awareness of energy performance as a factor in the property market. Those with better rated homes will be motivated to highlight this as a positive selling point while those with poorer rated homes may be motivated to upgrade their homes to improve the energy rating. It is expected that investments in the energy performance of homes will benefit building owners and users in terms of improved comfort, lower energy running costs and possibly higher property values. Over time it can be expected to contribute to a change in market behaviour, which will ultimately improve the energy efficiency of the national housing stock.

The following building categories are exempt from having to obtain a BER:

• National monuments
• Protected structures
• Places of worship or buildings used for religious activities
• Certain temporary buildings
• Non residential industrial or agricultural buildings with an installed heating capacity of less than 10W/m².
• Stand alone buildings with a useful floor area of less than 50m²

Yes, should you wish to improve the energy efficiency of your home and thereby reduce your energy bills we can carry out an energy audit for you and provide you with a BER and a report outlining our recommendations on how to save money on the cost of heating and lighting your home. Energy costs are rising with seemingly no end in sight. Since the year 2000, the price of home oil has risen by 60%, gas by 55% and electricity by 44%. Making recommended changes in energy efficient products can save hundreds of euro's a year or more. Insulating cavities in walls, lining ceilings and floors with insulation; installing double glazed windows and better heating systems such as combination boilers, are just a few ways to make your home more energy efficient. For this reason, the advisory report will be a key document in relation to existing dwellings. It may be particularly useful to those who have just purchased an existing dwelling which they plan to improve or remodel in their early stages of occupation.

If you do not comply with a BER requirement you will be liable, on conviction in the District Court, to a maximum fine of €5,000. More importantly, failure to secure a BER certificate at the proper time could hinder or delay the legal completion of a sale or letting or a future disposal of the relevant dwelling.

There is no legal penalty for getting an inferior BER for an existing dwelling. However, new dwellings must comply with the "Conservation of Fuel and Energy" Part L provisions of the Building Regulations. The impact of a lower BER on the marketability of dwellings offered for sale or letting will depend on overall housing supply, demand and other property market factors and on the availability/price of domestic fuels.

SEI has responsibility under the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations (SI No 666 of 2006) for the registration of BER Assessors, for the maintenance of a register for BER Assessors, for maintaining a methodology of BER assessment, for registration and maintenance of a register of BER Assessments, for certain quality assurance functions in respect of the scheme including determination of training requirements and operational standards and for the collection of registration and assessment fees from BER Assessors.

Copyright © 2012 Accredited BER. All Rights Reserved.
Accredited Ber is a subsidary of parent company OHSS Ltd.

Address:
Unit 2 BEaT Centre,
Stephenstown Industrial Estate,
Balbriggan, Co. Dublin

Phone : +353 (0)1-8020478
Fax : +353 (0)1- 8020439