Select Energy Solutions

Services: Building Energy Rating (BER) - Overview:

Building Energy Ratings (BERs) are being phased in for all types of building during 2007, 2008 & 2009 in Ireland. Currently, the following building types require a BER certificate before they can be sold or rented. New dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st January 2007. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new dwellings for which planning permission is applied on or before 31st December 2006, where the new dwellings involved are substantially completed on or before 30th June 2008.   Further requirements will be phased in as follows: The regulations apply to new non-domestic buildings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st July 2008. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new non-domestic buildings for which planning permission is applied on or before 30th June 2008 provided the new non-domestic buildings involved are substantially completed by 30th June 2010. Existing Buildings (dwellings and other buildings) when offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009.

BER assessments are carried out using the nationally adopted Dwellings Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP). SES are able to carry out BER ratings, issue certificates and are registered with SEI as a BER Assessor.

For further information on the following areas related to Building Energy Ratings please navigate using the following the links:    BER Certification - New Build BER Optimisation Registered with SEI as BER Assessor Experience BER Costs Case Studies Rules & Regulations

BER Certification - New Build:

New dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st January 2007 require BER certificates before they can be sold or rented out. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new dwellings for which planning permission is applied on or before 31st December 2006, where the new dwellings involved are substantially completed on or before 30th June 2008. Select Energy Solutions are able to provide you with a BER certificate for your dwelling using an SEI registered BER Assessor. For more information see Case Studies and Experience.

All BER certificates must be accompanied by an advisory report. For new dwellings this is currently a generic report generated automatically using a form completed on the SEI website. This is compulsory under the EU directive enforcing BERs. This report will be provided by SES as part of any BER issued. However, while the generic report provides some good information, it is recommended that the BER Optimisation option below is considered where you require an in depth analysis of possible improvements prior to constructing a dwelling.

SES are able to offer this service for one off dwellings and multi-unit developments. Please get in contact and we would be happy to discuss your requirements and provide you with a quotation.

BER Optimisation:

Andrew Shepherd of Select Energy Solutions has been working in the field of energy and buildings including energy rating methodologies since the early 1990s - see "experience" section. SES are therefore able to provide informed advice on achieving improved energy ratings through fabric and services options within DEAP in the most cost effective way. There are numerous opportunities for improving a dwellings energy rating. There are generally no quick fixes and a combination of improvement measures will usually be required to make any significant advances in terms improving an energy rating. SES carry out a BER Optimisation for a specific dwelling by first considering individual options and then various combinations of options. The results are presented as a sensitivity analysis and includes recommendations on costs and savings for implementing the improvement measures. This is presented to the client as a summarised report.

SES can offer BER Optimisation in combination with the issue of a BER certificate at a reduced rate where both services are taken together. SES are able to offer this service for one off dwellings and multi-unit developments. Please get in contact and we would be happy to discuss your requirements and provide you with a quotation.

Registered With SEI as BER Assessor:

Official BER certificates can only be issued by BER Assessors registered with SEI. It is the individual assessor that must be registered, rather than the company. Andrew Shepherd carries out BER assessments within Select Energy Solutions. Registration details can be found at http://193.178.2.42/SearchAssessors.aspx (search for “Andrew Shepherd” or “Select Energy Solutions”).

Experience:

Andrew has been involved in the energy and built environment field since the early 1990s. Initially trained as a building surveyor and went on to complete a masters degree in "Energy & the Built Environment" followed by a PhD in "Occupant Comfort and Building Control Systems". Andrew has extensive experience in energy ratings. First experience was gained during the 1990s using the UK Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) from which the Irish BER assessment methodology was adapted. Andrew has also extensively used dynamic thermal building analysis software and computational fluid dynamics during investigations into building performance during previous employments. In addition to being a registered BER Assessor in Ireland, also registered as On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (SAP UK), National Home Energy Rating Assessor (UK) and Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor (UK). Therefore, a detailed knowledge of the thermal performance of buildings and energy rating techniques can be provided. Previously worked in the UK and Japan in the energy and buildings field with companies such as Powergen (now E.on) and Mouchel before moving to Ireland in 2002. Select Energy Solutions was established in 2004 to offer a range of services related to energy and carbon emissions.

BER Costs:

One off single new dwellings are in the region of €300 Ex VAT + €25 Ex VAT SEI issue fee. The main influence on the cost will normally be the complexity of the geometry. Costs are likely to be higher for dwellings with complex geometry and building services. For a detailed quote please forward a copy of the drawings, e.g. Autocad, and we will get back to you with a detailed quote. 

For multi-unit developments the costs will be significantly lower. Typically these will be in the region of €100 - €150 per dwelling Ex VAT + €25 Ex VAT SEI issue fee. The lower per unit costs reflect the often repetitive nature of multi-unit developments (e.g. housing estate with 50 dwellings). Costs vary depending on the complexity of the geometry, the total number of dwellings and the number of different dwelling types on a development. For a detailed quote please forward a copy of the drawings, e.g. Autocad, and we will get back to you with a detailed quote.

The existing dwellings methodology, software and training has not yet been defined. Existing dwellings will require BER certificates when they are sold or rented from 1st January 2009. Select Energy Solutions intend to be in a position to be able to offer a service in relation to existing dwellings early in 2009.

Case Studies:

This Section is currently being developed. The following projects have involved energy rating and / or BER optimisation by SES.

Residential development on the west side of Cork City comprising 40 unit apartment block and town houses. The development goes beyond Building Regulation Part L requirements current at the time of construction and uses a centralised wood chip boiler to provide space heating and hot water. SES worked with the developer to improve the design to a B1 standard. It was originally intended to apply for SEI House of Tomorrow funding as the criteria was met. The funding was suspended before this project was approved but the developer opted to go ahead with the upgraded thermal design and biomass installation. This development would be one of the earliest examples of biomass district heating for apartment blocks in Ireland.

• Residential Development - Dublin 1

• Residential Development - Dublin 2

• Residential Development - Dungarvan Town Centre

• Residential Development - Cobh

• Residential Development - Innishannon

• Residential Development - Enniscorthy

• Residential Development - Carrigaline, Co. Cork

• Single Dwelling - Various in Co Cork

Rules & Regulations:

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) are responsible for administering the BER system in Ireland. Detailed information is provided on the BER system including frequently asked questions. The BER system is subject to change over time and detailed information has therefore not been reproduced on this website. For detailed information on the rules of the scheme it is strongly recommended that you visit the SEI website http://www.sei.ie/ber.

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