BER: Building Energy Rating
I am an approved Building Energy Rating assessor with Sustainable Energy Ireland. A BER is required for all new dwellings since July 1st 2008 and all existing dwellings for sale or rent since 1st January 2009. A BER gives an objective scale of comparison for the energy demand and energy performance of a building. This measures how energy efficient a building/house is, a good example of how this works is the 'a to g' rating that you would see on electrical appliance. The government has introduced a grant scheme which will be provided to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements.
Home Energy Scheme: What Grants are Available?
Grants will be provided to home-owners who invest in energy efficiency improvements in the following area:
| Measure |
Category |
Grant* |
| Roof |
Roof insulation |
€250 |
| Wall |
Cavity wall insulation |
€400 |
|
Internal wall dry-lining |
€2,500 |
|
External wall insulation |
€4,000 |
| Heating Controls |
High efficiency gas or oil fired boiler with heating controls upgrade* |
€700 |
|
Heating controls upgrade |
€500 |
| BER assessment |
A before works and an after works ber assessment |
€200 |
* Please note that while you are entitled to apply for each measure there is a minimum requirement that the grant amount in the first application must be €500 or greater. The ber grant cannot form part of this €500 amount.
What do you mean by before and after ber?
For a home-owner to qualify for the before and after BER grant they must undertake a BER before commencing any measures and a subsequent ber once measures are completed.
this before BER in conjunction with the advisory report and any additional advice you might give will identify areas in the house that would benefit from measures available under the hes scheme.
The after BER will give the home-owner revised information reflecting the impact that the measures undertaken have had on their energy usage.