Building Energy Rating
Services in this area:
Murphy Surveys Energy Consultants
Extending our range of survey services into the area of Building Energy Ratings (BER) was a natural progression for Murphy Surveys. The experience and knowledge we have gained having worked for 25 years as a consultant in the construction industry enables us to offer an extra dimension of know-how to every BER we complete. Murphy Surveys are now registered BER assessors who have been trained under the National Framework of Qualifications and have registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). All registered assessors must adhere to the BER Assessors Code of Conduct.
Why do you need a BER?
Cost Efficiencies:
Due to the significant energy price increases, reduction of energy costs has become a key focus for the cost-efficient operation of our buildings today. In essence, becoming more energy efficient saves you money.
Environmental Protection:
Energy is essential to the comfort of our homes, providing space and water heating and electricity. However, there are many ways in the design, construction and operation of our homes of reducing energy needs and meeting those needs with renewable sources, without compromising warmth and comfort. Currently, we rely heavily on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas to provide our energy needs. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, that is, they draw on finite resources that will eventually run out. In contrast, renewable energy resources, provided from the sun, wind and water are constantly replenished. Fossil fuels are also damaging to the environment. They contribute significantly to many of the environmental problems we face today such as greenhouse gases, air pollution, and water and soil contamination - while renewable energy technologies enjoy lower running costs and are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact. Energy is available from a variety of renewable sources appropriate to our homes, including solar, geothermal, biomass, hydro and wind.
What is a Building Energy Rating?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) is the process of rating a property in terms of efficiency and energy use. The rating uses a scale from A1 to G, and is not dissimilar to energy scales found on domestic electric appliances. An A1 rating is the highest achievable and a G rating being the worst.
A BER is required at the point of sale or letting. The implementation dates of the new legislation are as follows:
New Dwellings
(July 1st 2008) The regulations apply to new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or after 1st January 2007. Transitional BER exemptions will apply for new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on/before 31st Dec 2006 and where the dwelling involved has been substantially completed on/before 30th June 2008. From July 1st 2008, all new dwellings must have a BER rating.
New Non-Domestic
(July 1st 2008) The regulations apply to new non-domestic buildings for which planning permission was applied for on/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 no new non-domestic buildings involved are substantially completed by 30th June 2010.
Existing Buildings (dwellings or other buildings)
(January 1st 2009) A BER is required when existing buildings (dwellings or other buildings) are offered for sale or letting on or after 1st January 2009.
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For further information please contact Diarmuid Murphy on (+44) 020 8301 8651