8 August 2026
By Bryan McCarthy
bryan@TheCork.ie
Know your Rights
What is a Building Energy Rating?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) evaluates your home based on how energy efficient it is.
You must have a BER if you are selling or renting a property. The rating means prospective buyers or tenants can compare the energy performance of different buildings and understand how much it will cost to run them.
What are the benefits of a good BER?
The better your BER, the more energy efficient your home is. Homes with a good BER rating will:
- Stay warm for longer
- Have lower energy bills
- Have lower carbon emissions, making them more environmentally friendly
What is the BER scale?
Your BER rates your properties energy usage. The ratings are A0, A, B, C, D, E, F and G.
- A0 is the highest rating
- G is the lowest rating
A0-rated properties are the most energy efficient and do not use fossil fuels. For example, if your home has a gas boiler, it cannot get an A0 rating.
G-rated properties are the least energy efficient. They are usually older properties that are not well insulated and are expensive to heat.
Previously, BER certificates used a different scale with 15 ratings, including sub-categories such as B1 and C2. On 24 May 2026, this was changed to bring Ireland’s BER rating system in line with what is used in other EU countries.
Why do I need a BER certificate?
Your BER certificate tells you the energy efficiency rating of your home.
All new homes must have a BER certificate. You also need to have a BER certificate if you are selling your home or renting your property
The owner of the home is responsible for getting the BER.
If you are selling or renting your property all advertisements for the property must show the property’s BER.
How long does my BER certificate last?
Your certificate is valid for 10 years unless you:
- Make structural changes to the house
- Make changes to your heating system
If you make these changes to your home, or your certificate has expired, you need to get a new BER assessment of your home.
How do I find out my BER?
If you want to find out the BER of your home, you can check online on the SEAI National BER Register if there is a BER rating. If there isn’t, you can hire an approved BER assessor to survey and assess your home and calculate the BER.
How much does a BER assessment cost?
The price of a BER assessment can vary depending on the supplier and/or the size of your home
The cost for an apartment is around €150, while the cost for a standard house is between €200 and €300. You should get at least 3 quotes from different assessors before deciding on which one to choose.
See Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) website for the national register of BER assessors. This register lists the BER assessors working in Ireland.
How can I improve my BER?
As part of your BER assessment, you get an advisory report. This will give you recommendations on how you can improve energy efficiency of your home.
BER certificates issued from 24 May 2026 have a QR code that links you to information about potential energy upgrades for your property.
You can improve your BER by upgrading the insulation in your home and making other changes. You may be able to get a grant to help with these.
South Munster Citizens Information
Further information on this and other topics is available from Cork City Centre CIC in Cornmarket Street, open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.45am to 12.30pm and Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm, Tel 0818 07 6950 (Lines open Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm). Blackpool CIC is also open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Tel 0818 07 6890 while Hollyhill CIC is open Mondays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Tel: 0818 07 6850.
Information is also available from the Citizens Information Phone Service Tel: 0818 07 4000 (9am – 8pm, Mon – Fri) or online at www.citizensinformation.ie