What is a Building Energy Rating?
A Building Energy Rating (BER ) evaluates your home based on how energy efficient it is. The scale goes from A to G, with A-rated homes being the most energy efficient and G-rated homes the least.
A BER assesses the amount of energy your home uses for things like ventilation, lighting, and heating rooms and hot water. It does not include electricity for running appliances and does not consider the number of people living in the building.
Homes with a good BER rating will stay warmer for longer, have lower energy bills, and have lower carbon emissions, making them more environmentally friendly.
Why do I need a BER?
All new homes must have a BER certificate, and you need to have a BER certificate if you are selling your home or renting your property. The owner of the home is responsible for getting the BER.
A BER certificate is valid for 10 years. However, if you make structural changes to the house or make changes to your heating system, you need to get a new BER assessment of your home. Some buildings are exempt from needing a BER certificate when being sold or rented, such as protected structures or places of worship or buildings used for religious activities.
How do I find my BER?
You can check if your home has a valid BER certificate on the SEAI National BER Register. To check this, you need either:
· An existing BER number, which can be found on the BER certificate and advisory report, or
· The Meter Point Reference Number (MRPN ) of your home, which can be found on your electricity bill
If you can’t find the BER on the Register, you can hire an approved BER assessor to survey and assess your home and calculate the BER. You can find an assessor for your area on the SEAI National Register of BER Assessors.
How much does a BER assessment cost?
The cost of a BER assessment can vary depending on the supplier and the size of your home. The cost for an apartment is around €150 and the cost for a standard house is between €200-€300.
You should get at least three quotes from different assessors before deciding which one to choose.
What happens after my assessment?
You will receive an advisory report with recommendations on how you can improve energy efficiency in your home. Upgrading insulation in your home is one way to improve your BER and you may be able to grants to help with any changes you need to make to your home. You can find out more about getting a BER for your home on https://bit.ly/BuildingEnergyRating, or call us on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm ).
