Lower Ber Rating

pat1981

Recently bought a property (2022) with A2 BER rating. Added 18 PV panels and a battery, which came with a free BER survey. Surprised to find out after survey it's now listed as a A3. Gave commission report for heat pump but lacked specs for windows. Agent hinted default calculation for windows.

Unsure if that led to downgrade. Expected A1 with solar panels. Agent promised not to publish if lower than original (would he know of my previous rating). Advisory report mentions space heating fair (whatever that means) with no upgrades available.

Concerned about impact on potential buyers. Seeking advice if possible on reverting to original BER cert. Thanks.

Biker1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058351180/lower-ber-rating

Chances are the assessor who done the BER after the PV install did not have access the the detailed sign-off's required for an accurate BER. This would account for the heating system noted as fair as they would have to use defaults. The PV would then bring up the rating to the A3 you received. If they had all the relevant info then most certainly the house would achieve an A1.

pat1981

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122124301#Comment_122124301

Thanks for your reply, i did give him the commission sheet for the heat pump signed off by the installer, so there would be no default setting in this case.

Biker1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122125208#Comment_122125208

A commissioning sheet is of no use for the BER. The designer/installer sign off form is what he would have required.

pat1981

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122125397#Comment_122125397

Correct, this is what I gave the surveyor.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122128288#Comment_122128288

Did you give the assessor a signed off construction specification?

Can you chase up the window test certs and letter of install?

What about thermal bridging details?

When you see "comes with a free BER" you should be aware that the assessor is working for the PV company and not the client

pat1981

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122128389#Comment_122128389

Hi, no construction spec was given or asked for. (its a timber framed house with brick and plaster finish). I could go back and look at the building agreement where it does mention what I will be getting with the house, walls painted, tiling, sanitary, kitchen, floor plans, etc.

I will contact the builder but I go back to my original post.

Not asked for and I guess its another question for the builder.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122128535#Comment_122128535

The builders spec is no good, it needs to be signed off by the certifying architect / engineer.

The initial assessment is allowed to use these signed off documents when assessing the new build. Any subsequent assessment generally doesn't have access to these documents so invariably the rating will be lower, even after upgrades

Blame SEAI for coming to with the system