Cranagh Energy: Building Energy Rating (BER) Assessors
Building Energy Rating Assessors
Building Energy Rating - BER
How is a BER calculated?
A BER certificate is issued to a property owner after a detailed assessment of the property by an independent SEAI registered BER assessor. The assessor will visit your property to perform the following:
º Take a series of measurements of features of the building such as window and door sizes, floor areas and roof areas. Type, orientation and sheltering of the property is also recorded.
º Assess the level and type of insulation in the walls, floors and attics, and assess the energy performance of windows and doors.
º Assess the methods of providing space heating and domestic hot water including fuel and boiler types, boiler efficiencies and heating controls.
º Assess ventilation features such as mechanical ventillation systems, wall vents, open fires and flues.
º Record types of lighting used, such as low energy bulbs.
º Assess the renewable energy technologies used in the dwelling.
The assessor calculates the energy rating for the property based on the information collected during the property visit and using a standardised procedure called the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP).
It's worth knowing that a BER only covers electricity used for heating, lighting and ventilation but it doesn't cover electricity used for cooking, laundry etc. Since the BER is based on typical usage, it doesn't take account of individual occupiers' personal energy usage.