BER stands for Building Energy Rating, and is a rating given to your home (or any building) based on the overall energy efficiency of the building on a scale of A to G, with A1 being the most energy efficient rating you can get! It indicates the level of carbon dioxide emissions for the home at the time of certification.

Obviously most homes should aim to have the closest rating to A1 as possible as A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and will have the lowest energy bills.

The BER is based on the “calculated energy performance and associated carbon dioxide emissions for the provision of space heating, ventilation, water heating and lighting under standardised operating conditions” *source: SEAI

How to get a BER
An owner must provide a BER to prospective buyers or tenants when a home is offered for sale or rent, similarly- the property’s BER must be displayed on all advertisements if an owner is selling or renting their property.

Why do I need a BER?

Since the 1st of January 2007 it is required by law, that when new buildings (residential) are constructed a Building Energy Rating is provided by the owner to the prospective buyer (similar to the energy labelling of household appliances) This also applies to non-residential buildings from 2008.

EXISTING HOUSES? Since January 2009 a BER Certificate is also required for existing dwellings that are sold or rented.

SOLUTION: Contact   registered assessor carrying full professional indemnity and public liability insurance to provide an efficient, affordable and timely assessment for your property.

Who Needs a BER?

A seller must provide a BER to prospective buyers or tenants when a home is constructed, sold or rented under the following circumstances:

• New homes where planning permission was applied for on or after the 1st of January 2007. A new dwelling (i.e. a dwelling that has never been sold or occupied) is exempt from the BER requirement if it had been the subject of a planning application submitted on or before 31 December 2006 and if it was substantially completed by 30 June 2008. “Substantially completed” means that the external walls have been erected.
• All existing homes for sale or rent on or after the 1st of January 2009. An existing dwelling is a dwelling which has previously been sold and/or occupied.

All new homes (even when not for sale) must have a BER certificate barring those defined as being exempt above) before they are occupied as detailed under S.I. 666 under http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/

BER assessments performed on new dwellings will also help determine compliance to Part L of the Building Regulations.

There are exemptions for certain categories of buildings (Ref. S.I. No.666 of 2006) https://www.seai.ie/Your_Building/BER/BER_FAQ/FAQ_BER/General/What_Building_Categories_are_Exempt_from_BER_.html