Since the 1st of January 2009, a Building Energy Rating Certificate (BER Cert) has become compulsory for all new and existing houses and apartments being sold or let, regardless of the age and likewise for domestic and non-domestic buildings.
In other words: The sale of a property will not be processed by a Solicitor without a valid BER Cert. It is illegal to advertise a property without a valid BER Cert shown. The Government can impose fines on owners of properties who do not have a valid BER Cert and are selling or leasing a property.
The responsibility lies with the seller, landlord or their agent on behalf to engage a BER assessor to carry out a BER assessment and obtain a BER Cert.
Increase your property value positive and significantly by improving your BER by 50 kWh/m2/yr significant, positive effect on property values, both sale and rental, suggests a study of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). Results show improving your Energy Performance Indicator by 50 kWh/m2/yr is associated with a 1.5% higher list price.
How do I increase the value of my property?
For a high energy efficiency impact and multiple improvement measures have Susanna BER Assessor conduct a domestic BER assessment on your property and give advice.
But there are some small changes which can improve your BER and reduce energy consumption and costs. In order to show these improvements on your new BER, works have to be undertaken before the BER survey takes place.
- Replace all inefficient light fittings with low-energy light bulbs (LED), they are alsp more durable (longer life span) and require less maintenance.
- Install seals, called draught stripping, around all window openings, doors, attic hatches etc.
- Reduce draughts and heat loss by permanently seal the fireplaces which are not in use or temporarily install a chimney balloon in the fireplace during off-times.
- Install a lagging jacket of at least 80mm to your hot water cylinder to keep the hot water temperature up for longer.
- Install heating controls to space heating and hot water supply, refer to requirements for SEAI’s grant ‘heating controls’ or contact Susanna for details.
Want to know more? Get in contact with Susanna BER Assessor!