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Building Control

Energy Performance of Building Regulations


Building Energy Rating (BER) 

A Building Energy Rating (BER) is an indication of the energy performance of a building. ‘A’ rated buildings are the most energy efficient. Before a building is occupied for the first time, or advertised for sale/let, the owner (or Agent) must obtain a BER certificate and advisory report. Your registered BER assessor will take account of construction type, levels of insulation, ventilation, air tightness, fuel types, heating systems and controls, distribution losses, etc. when carrying out an assessment of your building and provide you with your BER and advisory report. You can find a list of registered BER assessors on the SEAI website

 

Compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations 

Building Regulations require that buildings must be designed and constructed so that the amount of energy required for the operation of the building, and the amount of associated CO2 emissions, are minimised. Some completed buildings have been found to be non-compliant with Part L of the Building Regulations. This not only leaves the owner liable to prosecution but also leads to practical difficulties in that remedial action to remedy non-compliance may be difficult and expensive. 

Compliance with Part L of the Regulations must be demonstrated using the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) methodology for dwellings and the Non-Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP) methodology for other buildings. Your registered BER assessor will use this process when carrying out an assessment of your building. It will take account of construction type, levels of insulation, ventilation, air tightness, fuel types, heating systems and controls, distribution losses, etc. You should have this assessment carried out before work commences. 

Your assessor will be able to provide you with a Part L specification report showing conformance with Building Regulations Part L. It will be readily apparent what rating the proposed building will achieve and if the design of the proposed building is fully compliant with Part L. At this point, if the building is non-compliant in any way, appropriate changes can be made to ensure the building being constructed is compliant. 

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