Your BER rating & the new rules

What is a Building Energy Certificate (BER) and what does it measure

• https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning-a-home/home-owners/getting-a-building-energy-rating-for-your-home/#:~:text=A%20Building%20Energy%20Rating%20(BER,G%2Drated%20homes%20the%20least.

• The BER process is to measure C02 emissions 

How to prepare for a BER assessment 

• https://www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Preparing-Your-Client-for-a-BER-Assessment.pdf

• If a BER assessor cannot verify the R or U value or energy usage of boilers, appliance lightbulbs etc they have to use default values, so being able to provide any document, invoice, energy rating document, 60 years old architectural plans, and plans for extensions etc. Carrying out a full BTU assessment and challenging any default value and asking how or what do we need to verify the correct value and not default. You are always trying to get to the lowest U value for any building element

Simplified BER ratings 2026

• https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/press-releases/simplified-building-energy-ratings-ber-for-residential-properties-to-be-introduced-from-may-2026/

• https://www.seai.ie/ber/new-simplified-scale

What are the cheapest measures you can implement in an old house to move from BER E1 - BER B2 or below without bankrupting yourself 

• External wall insulation 100mm

• internal wall insulation 40mm (if you can and have some extra cash)

• Attick  insulation 300mm

• Gas central heating and a reduction in the amount of Kwh the boiler produces because more insulation less heat power required, ensure the boiler is sized correctly, condensing and over 90% efficient 

• Heating controls installation, seperate radiators from hot water 

• upgrade your radiators to K22 and correct sizes heat the area with all the extra insulation (you can buy 16 K22 rads from screwfix + valves for €1100 euros or spend 10k somewhere else...search for the deal)

https://www.stelrad.com/advice-hub/heat-loss-programmes/

• Upgrade all glass windows and doors minimum U value 1.2 for double glazed or 0.8 for triple glazed (search for the cheapest deal, the cost difference is massive, buy from poland etc)

• Stick some solar panel on the roof (does not have to be a big solution to lower your BER)

• Replace every light bulb with high performing LED's very cheap and they last for ever 

• Ensure all your major appliances are low energy rated. A 20 year old fridge can use 20% or more electricity vs a new cheap one for a few hundred euros. You do not have to spend thousands unless you like fancy looking appliances, but if the are all behind kitchen doors who cares

Note: It is key to understand the BER process and the DEAP methodology. The more you know the better the outcome for you.

• https://www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Introduction_to_DEAP_for_Professionals.pdf

• https://www.seai.ie/ber/support-for-ber-assessors/deap

• https://www.seai.ie/ber/understand-a-ber-rating