Energy Assessment & Certification

Energy Assessment

By now most people will have heard about Energy Certification of homes and commercial property. However what are the facts?

On 4th January 2003 an EU Directive to promote improvements in the energy performance of buildings came into force.

The EU Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) contains a provision aimed at improving energy performance in residential and non-residential buildings both new build and existing.

The EPBD obliges specific forms of information and advice on energy to be provided to purchasers, tenants and users. The intention is that this information and advice will help consumers to make an informed decision leading to practical actions to improved performance.

As part of the Directive a Building Energy Rate (BER) certificate which is effectively an energy label will be required at the point of sale or rental of a building or on the completion of a new building. The BER will be accompanied by an Advisory Report pointing out recommendations for cost effective improvements to the energy performance of the building. However there will be no legal obligation on vendors or prospective purchasers to carry out the recommended improvements.

In Ireland

This directive is expected to impact on over 150,000 sale or rental transactions per year in the residential market.

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will be implemented on a phased basis over 3 years.

It is to apply to

• applications for new dwellings from 1st January 2007.
• new buildings other than dwellings from 1st July 2008
• existing dwellings and existing buildings offered for sale or rental from 1st January 2009

The EPBD Working Group's draft action plan advises that some differentiation in treatment will apply between residential and non-residential buildings and possibility within the diversity of non-residential buildings (e.g. hotels, offices, schools, retail, catering , hospitals) Whereas dwellings will be given an asset rating (i.e. on a score of A to G ) based on the assumed energy patterns, it is likely that non-residential buildings will be assigned an operational rating based on their recorded energy use.

For new build an energy assessment should be possible directly from plan however existing buildings will require a site visit and very detailed assessment/measurement.

The certification will assess orientation, local environment, building fabric, methods of heating followed by recommendations.

We at Offspring have completed training and are now registered through our sister Company to undertake the BER Certificates for new homes. For existing homes we are able to issue IHER certificates until the actual methodology for existing homes through sei is determined.

The BER, (Building Energy Rating) Certificate can be undertaken from plan and uses a computer programme called DEAP, Dwellings Energy Assessment Procedure) which calculates the CO2 Carbon Dioxide Emission Rate, CDER. Two types of BER Certificates can be issued,

• A Provisional BER Certificate, which is valid for two years and it's aim is to allow buildings to be sold from construction plans
• A Full BER Certificate which is valid for ten years and can only be issued when the building is constructed.

It is also important to note that legislation also includes a provision that a person who commissions the construction of a large new building (>1000sqm) shall ensure, before work commences on its construction, that due consideration has been given to the energy issues. Offspring will be pleased to discuss this further if required.

Average Energy Costs for a standard home

The average home:-

·                                                 100  sqm

·                                                 2.81 occupants

·                                                 Consumes 25,000 kwh (19500 fuel 5500 electricity)

·                                                 Produces 8.3 tonnes CO2 (4.5 fuel/3.8 electricity)

·                                                 Spend €1,700

Which can be broken down as follows:

In England / UK

At Offspring, although we see the merit in HIPs, Home Information Packs, we have found it's introduction into the UK market very complex and confusing. Great care is needed therefore 'to get it right'.

So, personal views asside, our understanding is that HIP's are effective from 1 August 2007 for every home for sale with four or more bedrooms. It is the responsibility of the seller and is designed to speed the sales process. From 10 September 2007 HIPs will also apply to three bedroomed properties.

The Home Information Pack (HIP) should include a Home Condition Report (HCR), an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) together with all the usual legal documents associated with sale such as title and searches for example local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search.

Eventually all residential properties will require a HIP.

Home Value

Energy certification could impact upon home value. Therefore in the meantime the home buyer would be considered prudent to investigate energy facts. Offspring can provide such information and possibility save you from making a bad choice of home investment.

Contact Us

Offspring can provide further information so please contact us for a consultation.