Building Energy Rating (BER) Ireland

The energy savings movement in the 21st century for some is long overdue but for others it has come just in time. The global warming crisis has sparked an international call for energy saving measures and alternative heating introduction into the daily life of millions across the world. Ireland is fast moving its own energy saving and energy rating initiatives forward in a move to introduce energy alternatives to their nation.

At the heart of the initiative is Irelands Building Energy Rating criteria. Ireland has set forth a five-year plan to introduce sustainable energy technology and practices into the building standards for its residents. Taking such drastic steps to move the energy sustainable vision forward would set Ireland apart from the rest of the world as the potential leaders of the global sustainable energy and building energy rating movement.

The Building Energy Rating (BER) is the fundamental basis for setting the energy sustainable standard. Appliances have carried energy star ratings for years. Now energy standard ratings are applied to the building rating and standards as well. BER standards are necessary standard for building to have in order to meet the legal obligation of the property owners.

Newly constructed building especially must carry an official Building Energy Rating certification by the time of completion. As a rule, these newly constructed building or homes tend to receive their energy standard rating at the beginning stages of the design plans in order to meet energy rating standards and inspections. 
There are a few exemptions to the BER energy rating certification. The types of buildings or structures that fall under this exemption are listed buildings or historical importance buildings that are considered to be of exceptional architectural relevance. Building ratings are determined by a national methodology system of rating homes called the Dwellings Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP). In 2006, the Dwellings Energy Assessment Procedure for energy rating standards and methods were first introduced.

DEAP is considered of same importance or merit of the European Standard (prEN13790) and the UK Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). The standard method of energy rating is not yet available for non-residential property or dwellings. The criteria for a property or dwelling seeking to obtain a rating includes the property owners ability to prove the high performing energy savings aspects in the property to be assessed. Using windows that fit in accordance with the BER standards and addressing energy saving alternatives for both heating and hot water facilities are just some of the important factors in successfully receiving a BER rating.

The assessment factors also require a property owner at the time of selling their home to take into account the energy saving aspects of the property. Once the assessments of the property have been completed by a certified inspector or assessor the information is then filed in the records for the property. An extensive survey of the property is necessary to make a fair and accurate assessment of the property's energy attributes to be assessed for an energy standard rating.

The responsibilities of individual nations to implement such standards across the board are at the foremost importance of the Ireland energy standards community. Formerly the Irish Energy Centre, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was introduced by the government in 2002 as the Irish official national energy authority.