What does a BER test involve?

Before your BER assessor visits, its essential they have all documents related to recent upgrade works and copies of recent energy bills. This will ensure they can provide the most accurate rating. On the day of the assessment, your assessor will need to access all areas of the building and carry out a range of measurements and tests. They will document the results and enter into a software tool named DEAP which will calculate and generate the actual BER certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Proof of works done previously is everything when it comes to getting an accurate BER, SEAI requires documentary evidence to prove what upgrade measures have been done to the house. This can include receipts, sign off letters from contractors or architects, and as-built drawings. The important information needed is the type and thickness of the insulation used so the assessor can do an accurate U-Value Calculation. A lot of people are now putting in heat pumps. It is so important that the heat pump installer completes the “Designer/Installer Sign Off” so the assessor can use the correct efficiency for the heat pump in the BER

This depends on the size of the building, but typical, a BER Survey for a 3 bedroom house takes around an hour. The assessor takes away the details from the survey to calculate the energy rating of the house using the DEAP software. This process will typically take 3-5 days

The BER rating can be improved in so many ways but the best improvements are typically achieved by insulating the roof and the walls, replacing single glazed windows, upgrading the heating system and heating controls and improving air tightness. Other things that make small improvements are low energy lights, replacing circulation pumps and adding a lagging jacket on hot water cylinders