Find out why B2 rated homes are more comfortable and can save on energy costs and carbon emissions.

Why upgrade to a B2 rated home

If you are upgrading an older home, we recommend you aim for a minimum BER of B2. You should also switch your heating system from oil or gas to a heat pump. That's because a B2 rated home is considered the benchmark for excellent energy performance and home comfort. Compare your home to a B2 rated home here and see the difference in your bills, comfort and carbon emissions.

See the difference in comfort and savings

Compare your home to a B2 rated home by answering three questions. See the difference it could make to your bills, comfort and carbon emissions.

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What type of home do you live in?

Bungalow A single storey house which sometimes has a second storey in the roof.

Detached A house that is not connected to any other building or house.

Semi-Detached A house that is connected on one side to another building.

End of Terrace A house that is connected on one side to another house.

Apartment A self-contained housing unit, usually single storey, that takes up part of a building.

Terraced A house that is attached to another house on both sides.

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What do you use to heat your home?

Oil An oil-fired boiler, connected to an oil tank, heats your radiators and hot water.

Natural Gas A gas-fired boiler, connected to the gas network, heats your radiators and hot water.

Electricity Wall-mounted storage heaters draw electricity at night to use for day-time heating.

Biomass You burn wood chips, wood pellets, liquid biofuel, biogas or biomethane for home heating.

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Select the BER rating of your home

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

If you don't know your BER, select D.

This represents a home that would benefit from an energy upgrade.

This is how your home compares to a B2-rated home

For more personalised results, match the occupancy and heating settings to your home.

Occupants

Thermostat setting

Hours with heating on

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Saving on total energy bills

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Reduction in energy consumption

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Improvement in comfort level

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Reduction in carbon emissions

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Improvement in indoor air quality

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Total energy bills

This is your home's estimated heating and non-heating related energy bill for a year. We have compared it with a B2-rated home with a heatpump and demand control ventilation. The total energy bill is lower for the B2 home as it is more energy efficient and uses renewable energy.

Saving on total energy bills

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Your home: €${results.data.energy_bills.user_selected}
B Rated: €${results.data.energy_bills.ideal}

Energy consumption

This is your home's estimated heating and non-heating energy use for a year. We have compared it with a B2-rated home with a heatpump and demand control ventilation. The B2-rated home uses less energy thanks to energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy.

Reduction in energy consumption

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Your home: ${results.data.energy_consumption.user_selected} kWh/m²
B Rated: ${results.data.energy_consumption.ideal} kWh/m²

Comfort level

This is the percentage of time your home stays at the set thermostat temperature. We have compared it with the comfort level of a B2-rated home with a heatpump. Upgraded insulation and renewable energy make the B2-rated home cosier and warmer.

Improvement in comfort level

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Your home: ${results.data.home_temperature.user_selected}%
B Rated: ${results.data.home_temperature.ideal}%

Carbon emissions

This is an estimate of your home's carbon emissions in a year. We have compared this with a B2-rated home with a heatpump. Reduced energy use and renewable energy in the B2 home mean lower emissions.

Reduction in carbon emissions

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Your home: ${results.data.carbon_emissions.user_selected} tCO₂
B Rated: ${results.data.carbon_emissions.ideal} tCO₂

Indoor air quality

This is an estimate of your home's indoor CO2 levels and air quality. We have compared this with a B2-rated home with a heatpump and demand control ventilation. The B2 home has a lower concentration of CO2 in the air, giving you a healthier living environment.

Improvement in indoor air quality

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Your home: ${results.data.air_quality.user_selected}%
B Rated: ${results.data.air_quality.ideal}%

Upgrade to a B2 home. Start your journey today.

Understand the options for your home energy upgrade. Compare One Stop Shops, individual grants and free energy upgrades.

Upgrades and grants

Edit your answers

What type of home do you live in? ${homeType} Edit
What do you use to heat your home? ${formatedFuel} Edit
What is the BER rating of your home? ${berRating} Edit

About this comparison tool

This tool is to be used for estimation purposes only. It allows you to compare your home to a B2 energy rated home. You can then personalise the results based on your energy consumption behaviour.

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Why B2 rated homes are comfortable

To reach a B2 energy rating, you need to reduce heat loss in your home and install an efficient heating system. High levels of attic, floor and wall insulation will keep your heat in. New windows and doors will keep draughts out. A heat pump will give you hot water and maintain a constant temperature in your home. Demand control ventilation will keep your air quality at a high level.

Save on energy bills

Getting your home to a B2 rating or higher and switching to a heat pump, gives you excellent energy savings. Once your home is fully insulated you can install renewable energy such as solar panels. This will further improve your BER and reduce your energy bills.

Increase the value of your home

Line of attached houses with solar panels

The value of your home increases by 1% for every level you go up on the BER scale. For example, a home that goes from a BER of G to a B2 rating will increase its value by 10%. That means when you carry out energy upgrades to your home, you are increasing the value of your home.

SEAI has three energy upgrade options

Whether you want to improve one area or completely upgrade your home, we have grant options available.

National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme

Managed by a One Stop Shop
Multiple upgrades achieving a minimum BER B2
Grant deducted from cost of works upfront

One Stop Shops

Better Energy Homes and Solar PV

Grants for individual home energy upgrades
Manage your own project
Choose contractors from the SEAI register

Individual grants

Warmer Homes Scheme

Fully funded energy upgrades for homeowners receiving eligible welfare payments
For homes built and occupied before 2006
Works recommended by an SEAI surveyor

Funded upgrades