Improving your properties energy efficiency

A Building Energy Rating (BER) evaluates your home based on how energy efficient it is. The scale goes from A to G, with A-rated homes being the most energy efficient and G-rated homes the least. The BER of a property is calculated according to the energy your home requires for heating, hot water, ventilation, and lighting.

According to a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimate, every grade you move up on the BER represents a significant increase in the value of the property. An energy-efficient home will also be more comfortable to live in and energy bills will be lower.

“The BER is a major factor when people are buying a home,” says David Flannery of Electric Ireland Superhomes. “If the BER is less than a B2, they calculate the cost of bringing it up to that standard and include it in their budget. Three years ago this wasn’t the case, but it is now. BER matters more than ever.”

The BER system is a useful shorthand for understanding energy efficient homes, but it’s not the full story. Our homes are complex entities. Every building is different and so are its occupants. The BER rating of a home is sometimes at odds with the experience of living there. “I’ve met people who tell me they live in a home with a C1 rating, but they’re freezing!” Flannery says. “The BER is only one of the factors we consider when looking at an energy-efficient home.”

Improving the BER without considering the surrounding factors is short sighted. “You could have a G-rated home and cover the roof in solar panels. The BER would improve, but the house would still be cold!” Flannery says. “When you speak to an expert who takes a deep interest in your home, they can offset the various factors and help to find a balance. These things aren’t cheap. It’s about making the best choice for you within your budget.”

Improving your home’s BER is a step-by-step process, but it may seem daunting at the start. Grants are available from SEAI and typically cover about a third of the cost of works. The grants are listed on the SEAI website. There are several packages. They include a complete energy upgrade that will bring your home up to a B2 standard. This service is fully managed by a registered One Stop Shop, with many available around the country.  You may also choose a piecemeal approach, which is managed by the home owner. Tread carefully here, as availing of some grants may exclude you from applying for others.

The first step is to find out if your home has a BER certificate. All new homes must have one and you will also need one if you’re selling or renting your property. A certificate lasts for ten years unless you make changes to the structure of the house or the heating system. All valid BER certificates are listed on the online SEAI National BER Register. You can access it with the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) from an electricity bill or the BER number on an existing BER certificate.

If you don’t have a valid BER certificate, the next step is to hire an approved BER assessor to survey your home and calculate the BER. There’s a list of registered assessors on the SEAI website. Ask for quotes from at least three providers to get the best possible price and check that you have any paperwork the assessor requires.

The BER assessment takes a few hours and the assessor will require access to all areas of the property. Once it’s completed you’ll receive a package containing a BER certificate and an advisory report. This will include recommendations about how you can improve your BER. Since every home is different, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach but, for most homes, improving the insulation of the walls and attic is the next logical step.

Other popular improvements include improving the heating system by replacing an old inefficient boiler with a heat pump that uses renewable energy. This only works in a well-insulated home. Another option is installing rooftop solar panels to heat water and generate electricity. The price of these depends on the several factors, including how energy-efficient your home currently is.

These improvements will improve the energy efficiency of your home but the experience of living in a warm house and using rooms that had previously been cold can encourage people to use and heat their home differently. The home will be healthier and more comfortable, but heating previously unused rooms does incur an extra cost.

See seai.ie and electricirelandsuperhomes.ie