SINCE January 1 this year, anyone planning to rent or sell their property, is expected to have a Building Energy Rating certificate. Regulated by the state agency Sustainable Energy Ireland (sei.ie), the BER rates the dwelling on a scale of A to G, with sub-bands 1 to 3 within each letter e.g. C1, to identify its energy efficiency.
Non-residential properties have had to carry a BER since July 1 last year, including public service buildings.
The BER has to be done by a trained and qualified assessor who is registered with the SEI. Have done what is essentially an energy audit on the property, he or she is obliged to furnish you with an advisory report and the SEI with your certificate details, registering same with your electricity’s MRPN number.
The property can be searched for on www.sei.ie by prospective buyers or tenants for information on the level of insulation etc. Obviously, the higher the BER, the more valuable it is in the eyes of a potential consumer so many of us are engaged in the process of double glazing, draught proofing, replacing old boilers with modern condensing systems and cavity/ external wall insulation.
Your report will recommend that which can be done and will rate the work’s contribution to over all thermal efficiency.
The BER system was introduced under the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 666 of 2006). It is the responsibility of all building owners to produce a BER for inspection by prospective purchasers or tenants.
The whole purpose is to reduce costly C02 emissions and save hundreds and even thousands of euro for the building owner on an annual, ongoing basis in fuel conservation.
Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure
THE official method for carrying out a BER for a dwelling is the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP). It consists of a series of step by step calculations within a series of individual modules which deal with ventilation, heat losses, domestic hot water, internal heat gains, solar heat gains, mean internal temperature, space heat use, space heating requirements, total energy use and fuel costs, energy emissions and costs.
The calculations produced by these modules are combined to produce an overall calculation of annual energy demand and CO2 emissions. This BER Assessment provides an Energy usage result in kilowatt hours per square metre per year.
y Assessment Procedure
THE official method for carrying out a BER for a dwelling is the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP). It consists of a series of step by step calculations within a series of individual modules which deal with ventilation, heat losses, domestic hot water, internal heat gains, solar heat gains, mean internal temperature, space heat use, space heating requirements, total energy use and fuel costs, energy emissions and costs.
The calculations produced by these modules are combined to produce an overall calculation of annual energy demand and CO2 emissions. This BER Assessment provides an Energy usage result in kilowatt hours per square metre per year.
SINCE January 1 this year, anyone planning to rent or sell their property, is expected to have a Building Energy Rating certificate. Regulated by the state agency Sustainable Energy Ireland (sei.ie), the BER rates the dwelling on a scale of A to G, with sub-bands 1 to 3 within each letter e.g. C1, to identify its energy efficiency.
Non-residential properties have had to carry a BER since July 1 last year, including public service buildings.
The BER has to be done by a trained and qualified assessor who is registered with the SEI. Have done what is essentially an energy audit on the property, he or she is obliged to furnish you with an advisory report and the SEI with your certificate details, registering same your electricity’s MRPN number.
The property can be searched for on www.sei.ie by prospective buyers or tenants for information on the level of insulation etc. Obviously, the higher the BER, the more valuable it is in the eyes of a potential consumer so many of us are engaged in the process of double glazing, draught proofing, replacing old boilers with modern condensing systems and cavity/ external wall insulation.
Your report will recommend that which can be done and will rate the work’s contribution to over all thermal efficiency.
The BER system was introduced under the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 666 of 2006). It is the responsibility of all building owners to produce a BER for inspection by prospective purchasers or tenants.
The whole purpose is to reduce costly C02 emissions and save hundreds and even thousands of euro for the building owner on an annual, ongoing basis in fuel conservation.
Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure
THE official method for carrying out a BER for a dwelling is the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP). It consists of a series of step by step calculations within a series of individual modules which deal with ventilation, heat losses, domestic hot water, internal heat gains, solar heat gains, mean internal temperature, space heat use, space heating requirements, total energy use and fuel costs, energy emissions and costs.
The calculations produced by these modules are combined to produce an overall calculation of annual energy demand and CO2 emissions. This BER Assessment provides an Energy usage result in kilowatt hours per square metre per year.
Frequently Asked Questionson certification
Q: For how long is a BER valid?
A: A BER cert. is valid for 10 years and a provisional BER is valid for just two years. You’ll need one if these if trying to sell a property ‘off plan’.
A BER assessor must maintain all records relevant to the certificate for as long as it is valid, in case that the purchaser subsequently wishes to dispose or rent the property.
It is not considered that a solicitor who has acted in a sale has any ongoing obligation to retain a BER certificate. However, it could prove useful in time to retain a copy in case a replacement is sought.
Q: What makes a BER invalid?
A: In the normal course of things, a BER certificate remains valid for 10 years, after which a further assessment is required in the event of a sale or letting. Article 16(5) creates a particular difficulty insofar as a perfectly valid BER certificate may be rendered invalid in circumstances where there is
(a) a significant deterioration of the fabric (of the building)
(b) an extension
(c) a change in the heating system or type of fuel used
The obligation is on the property owner to have a current, valid certificate and auctioneers have a role in pressurising clients into compliance. Failure to produce a valid BER on point of sale can result in a fine of 5,000euro for the vendor but appears to have no consequences in conveyancing terms for the title.
Q. Are any buildings exempt?
A: Yes, including churches. Full details of exempt buildings can be found on the SEI website, such as
* a new building other than a dwelling, for which planning permission was applied for or a planning notice was published on or before June 30 2008 and is substantially completed on or before June 30 2010, except where such a building is being offered for a second or subsequent letting.
Also exempt are:
* National monuments
* Protected structures
* Buildings
* Places of worship
