Course Dates: 16th, 18th and 19th of December 2024
20% Funding Available
Course format:
3 day live virtual course 9-5pm each day (through Zoom)
Assessment:
2-hour SAQ exam and also a practical BER, done from drawings and specifications, done in the learner’s own time
Cost:
Full price €995 (not including funding)
20% funding available
Introduction to BER for New & Existing Non Domestic Buildings
A Building Energy Rating (BER) and advisory report is to be supplied by the owner to a prospective buyer or tenant when constructed, sold or rented. The objective of the rating is twofold:
- To give prospective buyers and tenants information about the energy performance of buildings
- To give builders/developers and vendors/landlords, an incentive to upgrade the energy performance of the building by giving visible credit to superior standards
The BER must be accompanied by an “Advisory Report” setting 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.
An NFQ Level 7 degree/qualification in a building or construction related discipline, where at least two of the subjects below are covered for a minimum of two semesters each.
Proof of membership with one of the below listed professional bodies at the specified grades.
- Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
- Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
- Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
- Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
- Energy Institute
- Engineers Ireland (EI)
- Irish Auctioneers & Valuers Institute (IAVI)
- Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV)
- Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)
- Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCSI)
NFQ Level 7 Degree in one of the following:
- Architecture
- Architectural Technology
- Building Services Engineering
- Building Surveying
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
NFQ Level 7 Degree where min. two subjects below covered for min. two semesters each
- Architecture
- Architectural Technology
- Building Construction / Technology
- Building Design
- Building Energy Performance
- Building Services Engineering
- Building Surveying
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
The application of BER to buildings other than dwellings is more complex than for the domestic sector due to the large variation in design, scale, function, usage etc. The Non-Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP), which utilises the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) is the national calculation methodology. The current version is iSBEMie_v5.5h.
Background information on
- The National Calculation Methodology and the Activity and Construction databases
- The appropriate calculation tool
- Part L requirements and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
Zoning
- An explanation of zoning rules with examples and practice materials to ensure understanding
- An explanation of the recommended naming system / convention for building elements should be explained
Using the tool
- Explanation and demonstration of the following (and where relevant should involve the use of case study buildings):
- How to download the tool from the website
- How to enter a building into the tool from start to finish
- How to double check entered data
- How to assess compliance with Building Regulations Part L and understand the energy usage and carbon emissions of the building
- Description of every parameter in the tool and an explanation of the User Guide itself
- Location and properties of the key input and output files
For new entrants looking to register as a non-domestic BER assessor for the first time, candidates will be required to fulfill the pre-qualification registration requirements currently outlined on SEAI’s website, supply the relevant registration documentation to SEAI and attend a mandatory New Assessor Induction Module delivered by SEAI.
- Extra income stream for current business model
- Mandatory requirement to have BER if house if being offered for sale or rent
- Mandatory requirement under Better Energy Grants Scheme (National Retrofitting Scheme) -Insulation/Solar/Heath grants etc
- All grants will need a BER before & after works
- Over 500 assessments every day
- Average BER assessment existing houses €250-€700 depending on size of house, New buildings €400 upwards
- New houses-complete BER assessments from commencement notices-available from County Councils (private homeowners looking to start building )
- Create strategic alliances with Better Energy Home Scheme Contractors, Auctioneers, Letting agencies & One Stop Shop providers to refer BER assessments. It’s a conflict of interest for these groups to carry out assessments on their own
- BER’s will need to be completed every 10 years
- Every year BER has seen significant growth;
- 2020: 3,144
- 2021: 3,838
- 2022: 4,236
- 2023 up to Sept:3,528