Building Energy Rating (BER)
A Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate rates your home's energy performance on a scale between A and G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient while G-rated are the least energy efficient.
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Who needs a BER?
Selling a Property
If you are selling a house or commercial property then you must obtain a BER Certificate.
The sale of the property cannot be processed by a Solicitor without a valid BER cert. It is also illegal to advertise the sale of a property without a valid BER cert number displayed.
Property websites such as daft.ie and myhome.ie, will generally not accept an new property advertisement unless the BER number is provided. Once completed, we will issue a copy of the BER to you the client as well as your auctioneer and solicitor.
A BER certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
Renting
If you are renting out your home or commercial premises to any third party, the responsibility falls on you, the building owner, to obtain a valid BER certificate for that property.
From the 1st January 2009 it became a legal requirement for any person who owns a property for rent to have a valid and up to date BER certificate in place. The Government and local authorities can impose fines on the owners of properties not holding a valid BER cert and who are leasing the property.
A BER certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
SEAI Grant
Upgrades to your home which qualify for an SEAI Grant will generally require a BER cert to enable the drawdown of the grant funds. It is generally carried out once all works have been completed. Our assessors carry out SEAI grant work paperwork on a daily basis and can ensure the smooth delivery of your grant payment.
How to get a BER
Step 2: Prepare your paperwork
Preparing all your documents and paperwork in advance of your BER assessment will reduce the time it takes to receive your BER Certificate and Advisory Report.
For an assessment of a new building, your assessor will need a considerable amount of documentation including for example, wall, roof and floor specifications and copies of certificates of performance for construction products and appliances installed in the property.
For an assessment of an existing building, you will need to provide your BER assessor with documentation of any upgrade works done to your property. Any documentation you may have regarding the original construction of the dwelling will also be beneficial.
Documentation includes certifications, receipts, invoices and/or specification documents from the architect, engineer or contractor who managed the works. These should clearly indicate the address of the property, the works carried out, and the products used.
If you cannot provide your BER Assessor with sufficient documentation of works on your home, they will use default values. Default values are based on construction type and the age of the building and are conservative estimates of the energy performance and as such, may result in your home receiving a lower BER rating than expected. Your BER assessor can advise you on the paperwork required to support your BER and you can download the homeowner’s checklist to assist you in gathering the required documentation.
We recommend you retain a copy of all information and documentation supporting the inputs in your BER. This is important information and should be retained by you for use in any subsequent BER ratings.
Step 1: Get a Quote
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Step 3: Get your home ready
Give clear and safe access
To get an accurate BER assessment you need to give your assessor safe and clear access to all areas of your home. This includes the attic, lighting systems, ventilation, meter cupboards, heating systems and controls, hot press and all doors and windows.
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During the assessment your assessor will collect information including documentation, measurements and photographic evidence of your home. This information is required to calculate and generate your BER report.
Length of time
The amount of time required to complete a BER assessment will depend on the complexity of your home. Your assessor will tell you how long it will take to complete the assessment and when you will receive your final documentation.
Step 4: Receive your BER and Advisory Report
Once your BER assessment is complete, you will receive:
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The BER Certificate. This indicates the BER rating of your home.
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The Advisory Report. This provides recommendations for the best energy-saving improvements for your home that could improve your BER rating.
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