FAQ

What is a Building Energy Rating?

A Building Energy Rating (BER) is standard calculation of the energy performance of a building, produced by a qualified assessor using procedures including calculation method and software approved by SEI and including a survey of the building where required by direction of SEI.

What does A Building Energy Rating Certificate Look Like?

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New dwellings: The regulations apply to new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st January 2007. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new dwellings for which planning permission is applied on or before 31st December 2006, where the new dwellings involved are substantially completed on or before 30th June 2008.

New Non-Domestic Buildings: The regulations apply to new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st July 2008. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new non-domestic buildings for which planning permission is applied on or before 30th June 2008 provided the new non-domestic buildings involved are substantially completed by 30th June 2010.

Existing Buildings Dwellings and other buildings when offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009.

Why is there a need for Building Energy Rating (BER)?

Building Energy Rating (BER) is a requirement of the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (2002/91/EC of 16 December 2002), which has now been transposed in Ireland by the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 666 of 2006)

The building owner is required to provide the BER to prospective buyers and tenants. BER will, therefore, make the energy performance characteristics of the building transparent to prospective buyers and tenants. As a result, buyers and tenants will be able, for the first time, to take energy performance into consideration in their decision to purchase or rent a building.

What happens when a dwelling is sold "off plans"?

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 relevant new dwelling is completed, the vendor is obligated to arrange for a new 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).

What happens if I build a dwelling for my own use?

Prior to the first occupation of a dwelling a BER certificate must be procured by the dwelling owner even when the dwelling for their own use.

What is DEAP?

The Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) is the official procedure in Ireland for calculating and assessing the energy performance of new dwellings.

Who Carries out an Assessment

The assessment of the energy performance of buildings can only be carried out by a registered BER assessor in accordance with the requirements of the EPBD Regulations.

Building Energy Rating Assessors Ireland are registered by the S.E.I. as approved BER assessors. We would be delighted to discuss your requirements for a building energy rating certificate, a building energy assessment or advice whether you are a Homeowner or a Builder / Developer.