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Building Energy Rating (BER) & Home Energy Assessment

Understand your home’s energy performance and discover how to improve it.

What is a BER?

BER stands for Building Energy Rating. It's like a 'report card' for your home’s energy performance — similar to the energy labels you see on fridges or washing machines.

It tells you:

  • How energy-efficient your home is

  • The estimated energy usage for heating, lighting, and ventilation

  • CO₂ emissions

  • Ways to improve your rating

How is a BER Rated?

The BER scale goes from A1 to G:

  • A1 = Most energy-efficient (very low energy usage)

  • G = Least energy-efficient (very high energy usage)

Most older Irish homes are rated C or below, while newer builds usually aim for A ratings

What Happens During a BER Assessment?

A registered BER assessor visits your property and looks at things like:

  • Insulation levels (attic, walls, floors)

  • Windows and doors (double/triple glazing)

  • Heating system (boiler type, controls, heat pumps)

  • Ventilation

  • Renewable energy systems (like solar panels)

They use this information to generate a BER Certificate and Basic Advisory Report showing what you can do to improve your home's efficiency.

How Much Does It Cost?

€300

When Do You Need a BER Certificate?

You legally need a BER if you’re:

  • Selling your home

  • Renting it out

  • Applying for SEAI home energy grants.​

BERs are valid for 10 years, unless major energy upgrades are done.

Home Energy Assessment

What is a Home Energy Assessment?

A Home Energy Assessment (HEA) is an evaluation of your home’s energy use and efficiency. A registered assessor will conduct the assessment to provide you with a BER (Building Energy Rating), along with a Detailed Advisory Report that shows areas where you can improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and make your home more comfortable and sustainable. *A HEA is required 

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What Does a Home Energy Assessment Involve?

During the assessment, the assessor will look at:

  • Insulation: Type and condition of attic, wall, and floor insulation.

  • Heating systems: Efficiency of your boiler, radiators, underfloor heating, and controls.

  • Windows & doors: Glazing quality, drafts, and sealant.

  • Lighting: Types of bulbs used (LED, energy-saving, etc.) and general lighting design.

  • Renewable energy systems: Solar panels, heat pumps, or wind systems.

  • Ventilation: Type of ventilation system and air quality.

They will also consider the size, age, and location of the home, as well as how it is used.

Costs of a Home Energy Assessment

€600

Why is a Home Energy Assessment Important?

  1. Required for Heat Pump Grants: If you are applying for the SEAI Heat Pump Grant, you must first complete a Home Energy Assessment (HEA). The HEA provides the BER and ensures your home is suitable for a heat pump system.

  2. Identifies Areas for Improvement: The assessment will highlight potential upgrades to improve energy efficiency, such as insulation, energy-efficient appliances, or renewable energy systems like heat pumps.

  3. Reduces Energy Costs: By making energy-saving improvements, you can lower heating, cooling, and lighting bills.

  4. Sustainability: Improves your home’s environmental footprint, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Increased Comfort: Improved insulation and heating systems can make your home more comfortable year-round, with fewer drafts and better temperature control.

What is a Non-Domestic BER?

A Non-Domestic BER is the commercial version of the Building Energy Rating. It assesses how energy-efficient a non-residential building is — such as:

  • Offices

  • Shops

  • Schools

  • Hotels

  • Warehouses

  • Public buildings

  • Any commercial premises

It’s required by law for most buildings that are being sold, rented, or constructed.

 

How is the Rating Shown?
 

Just like homes, non-domestic buildings are rated from A1 (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The BER certificate includes:

  • Primary energy use per square meter per year (kWh/m²/yr)

  • Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions

  • A comparison with a benchmark building

What Does the Assessment Involve?

A registered Non-Domestic BER Assessor will inspect the building and collect details like:

  • Size and layout

  • Lighting systems

  • HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)

  • Hot water systems

  • Insulation and glazing

  • Renewable energy systems (e.g. solar, biomass)

They input this data into NEAP (the Non-Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure) software, which generates the BER and Advisory Report
 

When is a Non-Domestic BER Required?

You need a BER if you are:

  • Selling or leasing a commercial building

  • Constructing a new commercial property

  • Advertising a building for sale or rent

  • Complying with public building energy reporting

Public buildings over 250m² that are frequently visited by the public must display a BER certificate prominently (known as a Display Energy Certificate, or DEC).

 

Cost of a Non-Domestic BER

Costs vary more than for residential BERs, as commercial buildings differ widely in size and complexity. Factors that influence cost:

  • Building size (m²)

  • Number of zones/systems

  • Access to existing technical documentation

 

How Long is It Valid?

A BER certificate is valid for 10 years, as long as no major energy-related upgrades are carried out in the meantime.

 

Why It Matters

  • Helps businesses cut energy costs

  • Supports sustainability and ESG goals

  • Required for compliance with EU and Irish regulations

  • Often needed for SEAI business grant applications or green building certifications

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