ABC Energy Ratings

Visit the BER Assessors Association of Ireland website

Tel: 094-9026767 Fax: 094-6027066 Mob: 086-6645096 No.10 Brooklands, Lannagh Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Why

	*"By law anyone selling or renting a property must supply a BER"* This applys to both Domestic and Non-Domestic properties.
	Since the 1st of January 2009 when an existing property is offered for sale or rent there is a legal requirement for the property to have a Building Energy Rating Certificate (BER). So if you're not renting or selling you do not legally have to get one, however, you can indeed commission one which will allow you to assess where improvements can be made in terms of insulation as well as lighting, heating and the hot water system in your home. This can be done by way of an Energy Audit and is less expensive compared to a BER as the actual certificate is not issued and so the costs payable to SEI are not incurred.		Recent TV ad from Sustainable Energy Ireland

	Background:
	When the EU signed up to the Kyoto Protocol on the 31st May 2002, they were obliged to tackle the problem of growing levels of greenhouse emissions. From this the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) arose. It contains a range of provisions aimed at improving energy performance of residential and non-residential buildings, both new-build and existing. The objective was to reduce the levels of CO2 emissions throughout the EU. This Directive was adopted into Irish law as Regulation in 2006. The EPBD requires that information relating to the energy performance of a building be made available to a purchaser or tenant. This information allows the purchaser or tenant to evaluate the property in terms of energy performance before making their decision to go ahead with a particular purchase or lease. As part of the Directive, a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate, which is effectively an energy label, is required at the point of sale or rental of a building. In Ireland this scheme has been introduced over a phased basis but since January 2009 all residential and non-residential buildings, both new-build and existing require BER certification.