The BER Certificate is an energy label for buildings similar to that used on electrical appliances. The scale runs from red (G) to green (A1) with a score in the red zone representing homes that consume the most energy. Over the years, building standards have improved significantly in terms of their heat retention. For examplehouses built in the 1970s were frequently built with cavity blocks. Recent legislation insists that all new homes carry a minimum C1 rating.
WHAT RATING IS MY HOME
Every home is different. A BER assessment will rate your home taking into consideration the amount of energy used to run your home, the more energy used the lower the rating. You can reduce your energy comsumption by installing more energy efficient heating systems, installing double or tripple glazed windows, dry lining walls to retain heat, replace normal lights with energy efficient ones etc etc. All new homes that comply with Building Regulations will have a minimum energy rating of C1.
WHO NEEDS A BER CERT
From 1 January 2007 all new homes must comply with EU directives in relation to insulation and energy performance (C1 standard), however, there will be no obligation on owners to upgrade existing homes in the event that their home fails to achieve a good rating. It is expected however that homes with higher ratings will be easier to dispose of and they are likely to command higher prices on the open market.
All new homes for which planning permission is applied for on or after 1st January 2007 must have a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate before they can be offered for sale or for rent. From July 2008 the legislation will apply to non-domestic buildings for which planning permission is applied. And finally the legislation will apply to all buildings, new or otherwise, when offered for sale or for letting, after January 2009.
