• Liam Wylie, SEAI’s BER Team
  • 4 min read

In this blog, SEAI colleagues answer the most commonly asked questions we get about building energy ratings (BER).

1. What is an advisory report?

The advisory report accompanies the BER certificate and provides information on how to improve the BER rating. Find out more and view a sample advisory report here.

2. How do I get a copy of my BER certificate or advisory report?

If you are a building owner or a prospective buyer or renter and want to know the building's BER, you can access this information on the National BER Register. The Register is maintained by SEAI and provides detailed information about the BER rating of all residential and commercial buildings in Ireland.

To find the BER rating, you can visit the SEAI's BER register. Once you have entered the property BER number or MPRN number, the BER register will display the BER rating of the property. You can find more information here.

3. How do I get a BER Assessment?

This page will help you with lots of your questions and prepare you for a BER assessment. Watch this video to find out more. A list of registered BER assessors is available here. You can ask around for a recommendation to help you select an assessor from the register.

4. What documentation do I require for my BER?

Refer to step 3 in the homeowner checklist.

5. How much does a BER cost?

There is no set fee, and the advice is to shop around for the best value. We recommend you get 3 quotes. The cost is usually related to how many rooms your house has and how long it will take to complete the assessment. Make sure to confirm all fees in writing prior to commissioning a BER assessment. BER assessors are charged a levy to publish a BER assessment for a home on the National BER Register.

6. How long does a BER assessment take?

This will depend on the complexity and size of your home. Your BER assessor will visit the dwelling and capture the necessary data. They will then enter all the information collected into software, which is used to calculate and generate your BER and advisory report. Your assessor will be able to advise you on the time required to complete both the assessment and calculations of your home.

Having all your documents and paperwork prepared prior to your assessment will significantly reduce the time it takes to receive your BER Certificate and Advisory Report. Our checklist will help you prepare for your BER assessment to ensure you have all the required documents

 

7. What to do if I am not happy with my assessment?

If you are unhappy with your BER assessment, you should contact your BER assessor directly to discuss your concerns. Your BER assessor, as the person who assessed and published the BER for your property is responsible for and will be best placed to answer any questions that you may have on your BER. If you are unhappy with the response, you can contact the BER helpdesk for assistance.

8. Does the BER ever expire?

A BER certificate remains valid on the National Register for 10 years. If you make changes that will impact the dwelling's energy performance - a new house extension or a new heating system for example, then the BER may no longer be an accurate representation of the current building. We cannot provide copies of expired BERs to homeowners, sellers or renters under the S.I. 243 Regulations. If a BER cert has expired you should carry out a new BER assessment on your home.

A provisional BER is valid for a maximum of 2 years – a provisional BER is important for new builds see this section here.

9. What is a dwelling report?

A dwelling report is a downloadable PDF document of all the data entered into the software that creates the BER rating. You can request this document from your assessor in the first instance or by contacting the help desk.

10. I have questions about my BER, who do I contact?

You should contact the assessor or company who created your BER in the first instance. Your BER assessor, as the person who assessed and published the BER for your property is responsible for and will be best placed to answer any questions that you may have on your BER. If you are unhappy with the response, you can contact the BER helpdesk for assistance.

 

Haven’t found what you are looking for? Check out the SEAI website or email the helpdesk at info@ber.seai.ie