BER Assessments
(ROI).
Building Energy Ratings for homes and commercial buildings in the Republic of Ireland. EBSNI supports existing-property assessments, provisional ratings and final certification, with the appropriate DEAP or NEAP assessment route confirmed at enquiry stage.
Domestic and non-domestic properties
Irish energy assessment methodologies
Provisional and final assessment stages
Certification and improvement guidance
What Is a
Building Energy Rating?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) records a building’s assessed energy performance in the Republic of Ireland. It provides a basis for comparing properties and is accompanied by an advisory report identifying potential improvements.
Domestic assessments use DEAP, the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure. Non-domestic assessments use NEAP, the Non-Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure. These methods assess the building and its services under standard assumptions, rather than predicting the occupier’s actual bills.
BER certificates must be published by an appropriately SEAI-registered assessor. The relevant registration category and assessment scope should be confirmed for the property. EBSNI coordinates the information needed for the agreed domestic or commercial service.
The Right BER
for Your Irish Property.
The assessment depends on the building’s use, stage and purpose. The same Irish certification framework covers existing premises and new development, with different evidence needed for each route.
Existing Homes
A BER is generally needed when an existing home is offered for sale or letting, subject to the applicable exemptions. A site survey and acceptable supporting records establish the assessment inputs.
An existing BER and advisory report can be a useful starting point when considering improvements.
New Homes
A provisional BER is based on the proposed drawings and specification and is required when a new home is offered for sale or letting off plans.
At completion, the new-final BER reflects the dwelling as constructed, including the required survey and evidence.
Commercial Buildings
Non-domestic BER assessments follow NEAP using the appropriate SEAI-approved software route. The building’s activity, complexity, fabric and services inform the assessment.
Tell us whether the premises are existing, under design, shell-and-core or completed so the correct assessment scope can be established.
Part L & NZEB
Technical Guidance Document L addresses conservation of fuel and energy. The applicable dwelling or non-domestic provisions and nearly zero energy building requirements must be established for the project.
A BER is not, by itself, evidence that every Part L requirement has been met. Design-stage compliance checks and supporting construction evidence need separate coordination.
This service follows Republic of Ireland assessment methods and terminology. The applicable assessment stage, exemption position, registration category and regulatory requirements are confirmed for the individual property.
Review the Specification
Before Work Begins.
For new development, reviewing the proposed specification early helps the project team identify energy performance shortfalls before materials and systems are fixed. Drawings, construction details and services information should be coordinated before work starts.
EBSNI supports the appropriate design-stage energy assessment and agreed revisions. Where needed, a provisional BER is prepared from the proposed design; the final rating must later reflect the completed building and acceptable supporting evidence.
From Property Information
to Published BER.
We establish the assessment type first, then coordinate the drawings, survey and evidence needed for the agreed service. New-building and existing-property assessments follow different information routes.
Confirm the Property
Send the address or Eircode, building use, stage and reason for the assessment. We confirm the required route and information.
→Survey or Review Plans
Existing and completed buildings need the relevant survey. Provisional assessments use the proposed drawings, specifications and other supporting data.
→Check the Evidence
The assessment inputs are reviewed under the applicable DEAP or NEAP methodology. Missing information is addressed using the permitted evidence rules.
→Publish & Explain
The appropriately registered assessor completes the publication process. The BER and advisory report are supplied, with the next steps explained.
✓Preparing for
Your BER Assessment.
Tell us whether the building is existing, proposed or newly completed. Records of construction and installed systems help reduce reliance on methodology defaults where the evidence can be accepted.
Common Questions.
When do I need a BER?
A BER is generally required when a building in the Republic of Ireland is offered for sale or letting, subject to applicable exemptions. New buildings also need the appropriate certification. Tell us the building type, stage and purpose so the correct assessment can be confirmed.
What is the difference between DEAP and NEAP?
DEAP is the assessment methodology for dwellings. NEAP is the methodology for non-domestic buildings. The appropriate Irish methodology and software route depend on the property being assessed; a domestic assessment cannot simply be used for a commercial building.
What is the difference between a provisional and final BER?
A provisional BER uses the proposed plans and specifications, including for a new building offered off plans. A final BER reflects the completed building and requires the relevant survey and supporting evidence. A provisional rating does not guarantee the final result.
Do I need a provisional BER before a commencement notice?
Arrange the design-stage energy and Part L assessment before construction so the proposed specification can be checked. A provisional BER is required for a new building offered for sale or letting off plans. The documents needed for a particular commencement submission should be confirmed with the project’s design and certification team; these are not automatically the same requirement.
How long is a BER valid?
A final BER is generally valid for up to ten years unless changes affect the building’s energy performance. A provisional BER is valid for a maximum of two years and must be replaced by the appropriate final assessment once the building is completed.
Can I improve the rating by supplying more evidence?
Acceptable records may allow the assessor to use verified construction or system information instead of default assumptions. Only evidence meeting the applicable methodology can be used. Additional records do not guarantee a better rating; the assessment must reflect the building and its documented features.
An Irish Home.
A Documented Energy Rating.
For an existing home being prepared for sale or letting, the survey and supporting records establish the assessment inputs. The published BER and advisory report provide the rating and potential improvement measures, based on the property’s assessed features.
Discuss Your ProjectDiscuss Your Irish Property or Project
Send the location, building type, project stage and programme. We will confirm the appropriate BER assessment route. Explore our coverage → Part of the Newell Group.
