Energy Surveys

Non - Domestic BER

Energy Surveys Ltd. are now offering Commercial BER Assessments

Commercial BER Tests From the 30th of June 2009 BER’s are required for all Commercial properties offered for sale or rent.

The BER is an indication of the energy performance of the building. It covers energy use for space heating and cooling, water heating, ventilation, and lighting calculated on the basis of standard occupancy. The rating is expressed as a ratio of calculated primary energy use per floor area per year (kWh/m².annum) for the actual building compared to that calculated for a “notional” building.

To demonstrate that Part L is complied with, the calculated Energy Performance Coefficient (EPC) and the Carbon Performance Coefficient (CPC) of the building being assessed should be no greater than the Maximum Permitted Energy Performance Coefficient (MPEPC).

What is a SBEM Rating?

The BER shall be calculated using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM). SBEM is a lot more complex than a BER calculation and requires detailed information to be supplied.

SBEM calculates the energy demands of each space in the building according to the activity within it. Different activities may have different temperatures, operating periods, lighting standards, etc.
SBEM calculates heating and cooling energy demands by carrying out an energy balance based on monthly average weather conditions. This is combined with information about system efficiencies in order to determine the energy consumption. The energy used for lighting and hot water is also calculated.

Non - Domestic BER Implementation Dates

New Non-Domestic Buildings: The regulations apply to new non-domestic buildings for which
planning permission was applied for on or after 1st July 2008. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new non-domestic buildings for which planning permission is applied on or before 30th June 2008 provided the new non-domestic buildings involved are substantially completed by 30th June 2010.

Existing Non - Domestic Buildings: (dwellings and other buildings) when offered for sale or
letting on or after 1st January 2009.

Large Public Service Buildings: A public body shall, in relation to a large building occupied by it on or after 1st January 2009, secure and display a BER certificate in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.