What is a Building Energy Rating (BER) and why do I need one?
1. What is BER?
In Ireland, BER stands for Building Energy Rating. It is a certification for the rating given to your home calculated on the energy efficiency of your home. The scale is A to G, with A1 being the highest, most energy-efficient rating. A BER certificate is compulsory for all homes available for rent or sale.
1.1 What is BER based on?
Your BER is based purely on the energy efficiency of your home, including factors such as insulation and how your home and water are heated. It does not take into account your own sustainable practices, such as recycling.
1.2 Why is my BER important?
A BER provides you with an accurate measure of how energy efficient your home is. The lower the rating, the more likely you are to waste money on high energy bills. The higher the rating, the cleaner, safer and more comfortable your home is likely to be – as well as costing much less to heat. A high BER also adds value to your property – and it’s a legal requirement if you’re selling or renting.
2. How do I discover my BER rating?
To start with, you can use this free BERWOW calculator to estimate your home's BER rating. It will give you a clear picture of the energy efficiency of your home, and the improvements you could make.
2.1 What is BERWOW?
BERWOW is a cloud-based technology platform developed to provide retrofit dashboards and calculators to homeowners. It uses BER/ EPC certificate data to produce a list of energy upgrades options for houses and apartments. You can use BERWOW to get your free BER rating and recommendations.
2.2 What's a good BER rating?
An A-rated home is the most energy efficient, whereas G-rated homes are the least energy efficient. The higher your BER, the better your home conserves heat and the less you will have to pay in energy bills.
2.3 How can I improve my BER?
The main options for a better BER are as follows:
- Improve your insulation
- Install solar panels
- Upgrade your boiler
- Install a heat pump
- Opt for a ‘deep retrofit’, covering all of the above
3. How do I get a BER certificate
To obtain a certificate, you need a BER assessment carried out by an independent registered assessor. You can find your local BER assessors through the SEAI National Register of BER Assessors. It’s a good idea to contact three for a quote to help you get a good deal.
3.1 Do I need a BER certificate?
Yes – particularly if you’re planning on selling or renting. Since 2009, a BER certificate has become compulsory for all homes (and commercial properties) being sold or rented, regardless of the age of the building.
3.2 Are any buildings exempt from BER requirements?
The following buildings are exempt from requiring BER Certificates: •Protected structures •National monuments •Places of worship •Non-residential agricultural buildings •Standalone buildings with total floor area less than 50 sq/m •Industrial buildings with an installed heat capacity that does not exceed 10W/m2
3.3 How long is a BER certificate valid for?
Your BER certificate is valid for 10 years, unless you make changes that impact your home’s energy performance, such as adding solar panels, or upgrading doors and windows – in which case you can apply for an improved rating.
3.4 Is there a grant for a BER assessment?
No, but costs are minimal and can be supported by the home energy grants offered by the SEAI.