disappointed with BER rating

dh0661

Hi all - we recently got a BER test done on our 6 year old, two story with attic converted for storage etc., house. Result was a C1


The house has

• 2 chimneys, 1 to service a back boiler stove the other to service a wood burning stove.
• Oil heating zoned to each floor.
• Solar panels for water heating.
• All external walls were insulated at time of building, plus pumped with extra insulation after.
• Attic has as much insulation that it would take in oh's opinion.
• All windows & doors are double glazed PVC, front door is solid wood.
• 80% of lighting is energy saving

TBH, we were disappointed with the C1 assessment, what do you think ?.

Joey the lips

From what i hear its virtually impossible to get an A rateing so tbh i would not be worried but maybe you should ask in the renewable energy section

dh0661

Joey the lips wrote: »

From what i hear its virtually impossible to get an A rateing so tbh i would not be worried but maybe you should ask in the renewable energy section

That was a quick reply - would not have expected to be up in the A category but was hoping a high B.

chiefwiggum

when we built or house(2 yrs ago)i said to the builder could we get to an a rating on our budget and he said it would cost about 40 k extra on the build so with what you listed i'd say a c1 would be a fairly sound call but im no expert

MicktheMan

dh0661 wrote: »

TBH, we were disappointed with the C1 assessment, what do you think ?.

Is this not a question for your ber assessor?
You could ask him/her what is needed to get the house to your "expected" rating!

MicktheMan

To add another point.
The ber cert rating is no guarantee that the house will perform to the rating. It is not uncommon that older "D" rated housed perform better in reality to newer "B" rated houses.

looksee

If the attic is used for storage there is every possibility that it does not have sufficient insulation, unless the storage area is raised.

dh0661

MicktheMan wrote: »

Is this not a question for your ber assessor?You could ask him/her what is needed to get the house to your "expected" rating!

I'm only asking other peoples opinions here.

The questions to ask BER assessor will be advised by all replies here and other independent advice.

looksee

When we had the BER done our Assessor told us in detail what needed to be done to improve it, and after the work was done he told us what issues still remained. There were some things we could not do anything about as it is a 40 year old standard semi, but we ended up with a C1.

wossie

This BER CERT is rubbish. I have a semi detached built in 1989, drywall insulated. I had a double glazed front porch fitted in 2002, pumped insulation in 2012 and attic pumped. Had the ber certification, now C3, never took into account the draught coming in through the bay window skirting boards, or through the double glazed front porch door (thanks C&W), and the main front door. (through both doors) the breeze coming through the vents on each room for carbon monoxide venitalation. The back patio door draught. There was a draught from all the windows which were not meeting the VEE when the handle was pulled up to lock the windows. This was all done on a calm day, not windy. I have since gone around my house with a nightlight/incense stick to check for draughts and used expanding foam, insulating strip etc. I must point out that I am not a cold person (heating on for 1 hour a day) and would prefer a jumper and movement rather than heating going 24/7. So I would use less energy than most....................