Commercial BER Certs

required for all non-domestic buildings offered for sale or rent

Commercial Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificates are required for all non-domestic buildings offered for sale or rent.

What is a Non Domestic BER Certificate?
A Commercial BER Certificate is a label, not unlike the efficiency rating given to white goods such as freezers, fridges, and washing machines. The label is a 21 point scale and indicates the energy rating of a property. The rating is expressed in the form of performance bands with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ the least efficient.

What determines the Commercial Energy Rating achieved?
There are numerous factors taken into account to determine the Commercial Energy Rating of a building. Among these include:

  • The heating system implemented
  • The level and type of insulation
  • The quality of the build and construction
  • The ventilation system that is in place
  • Level and type of lighting (e.g. energy efficient bulbs) used
  • Level of renewable technologies adopted

All of these factors and a host of others are taken into account when calculating the rating of a property.

What is Non domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP)
The Non Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP) is the methodology for demonstrating compliance with specific aspects of Part L of the Building Regulations. NEAP is also used to generate the Building Energy Rating (BER) and advisory report for new and existing non domestic buildings.

What is SBEM?
Simplified Building Energy Modelling (SBEM) can be used in Ireland for the purposes of:

  1. Assessing and demonstrating compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations 2008
  2. Of generating a Non Domestic Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate when a building is constructed, sold or leased.