Building Energy Rating (BER)

All about BERs requirements

What is a BER certificate?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate indicates your building’s energy performance. It is like the energy label for household appliances.
The certificate rates your building on a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and will tend to have the lowest energy bills. G-rated are the least energy efficient and tend to have the highest energy bills.

How a BER is calculated?
Your BER is calculated through energy use for space and hot water heating, ventilation, and lighting. A measured survey of the property is carried out and a room by room survey completed. It is a non-invasive survey.
The number of people likely to occupy a building is also taken in consideration. This is based on the average number of occupants in buildings of a similar size.

Who needs a BER Certificate or when is one required?
A BER is required for all homes that are for sale or for rent, including unoccupied new builds.

What buildings are exempt from needing a BER?
There are some exemptions from the requirement of a BER, these are:

  • national monuments
  • protected structures or proposed protected structures
  • places of worship or buildings used for the religious activities of any religion
  • certain temporary buildings
  • industrial buildings not intended for extended human occupancy with a low installed heating capacity (≤10 W/m²);
  • non-residential agricultural buildings with a low installed heating capacity (≤10 W/m²);
  • stand-alone buildings with a small useful floor area (<50m²).”