EuroBer is a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland approved and fully certified Building Energy Rating provider which provides a complete professional energy rating service nationwide. All our assessors have either Architecture or Engineering backgrounds and all hold FETAC Certification.

A Building Energy Rating (BER) label is a standardised way to examine and represent the energy performance of a property, the building fabric and its heating supply are surveyed.

With Energy prices on the increase and BER certs lasting for 10 years, it pays to have the best rating done, as your properties value in a few years will be significantly impacted by the BER rating it has.

Grant Aid towards your BER Assessment of €80 is available from SEAI’s Better Energy Homes Scheme. In order to avail of this grant aid you must upgrade two measures from the list of approved measures. Visit www.seai.ie or www.eurober.ie for more information and to apply for your grant TODAY.When the survey has been carried our BER Assessor will enter the details obtained from your house into a system and issue you BER Certification & Advisory Report. The Advisory report is issued to you outlining the various improvements that can be made to your property to improve the efficiency & energy rating of the property. Once published the BER Certificate is valid for a period of 10 years.

Who needs to get a BER?

The requirements to provide a BER is as follows:

• 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 non-domestic buildings 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.

• Large Public Service Buildings: A public body shall, in relation to a large building occupied by it on or after 1 January 2009, secure and display a BER certificate in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.

What will happen if I don’t get a BER Cert?

Failure to obtain a BER Certificate as required may result in conviction in a district court and a subsequent fine of up to €5,000. Failure to secure a certificate in time may delay the sale of the property.

How is a BER calculated?

A BER is based on the characteristics of major components of the dwelling i.e.:

• wall, roof, and floor dimensions,
• window and door sizes and orientations
• construction type and levels of insulation,
• ventilation and air tightness features,
• the systems for heat supply,
• the type of lighting

How is a BER measured?

BER covers annual energy use for space, heating, water supply, ventilation, lighting and associated pumps and fans calculated on the basis of a national standard family with a standard pattern of occupancy.

The energy performance is expressed as

• primary energy use per unit floor area, which is represented on a scale of A-G
• associated CO2 emissions per metre squared per year

Are there grants available for carrying out a BER?

Yes, The Better Energy Homes Scheme offers grants for energy saving home improvements which includes a BER Assessment. Grants are available up to €650 for installation of Cavity Wall Insulation , Attic Insulation & BER Assessment. Visit  www.eurobead.ie or  www.seai.ie for more information.