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What does a BER Assessor check?

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  • 08-10-2020 7:33pm
    #1
    Kaldo
    Registered Users Posts: 221 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    I need to check for a BER assessor to come to my place? Just for my own curiosity, what do they check? Is there any DIY that I can do to get the highest BER rating as possible?

    What're the "normal" fees?

    Thanks
    Tagged:


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    #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 38,515 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    When was the house built?
    Any extensions?
    Any documents that prove what’s in the walls, floors and roof?

    If not, then he/she will use the default values.

    Dublin fees for a BER is about €250-€300.


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    #3
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    Block off the chimney is a big plus as this is a big loss of heat, and draughts or gaps in Windows or doors, get the tape that gives a better seal and so on....


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    #4
    Metric Tensor
    Registered Users Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭Metric Tensor


    It only makes a small difference but having low energy light bulbs in every fitting will help.

    Draught strip on the attic hatch will give a minor bump too.


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    #5
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users Posts: 2,825 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    OP, can I ask why you need a BER assessment?
    If it's for a sale or rental, then carry on.
    However, if it's to check out the house with a view to knowing what to do to improve your comfort and running costs then you may be better to save on the BER cost and get a proper survey done instead.


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    #6
    listermint
    Registered Users Posts: 33,692 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    MicktheMan wrote: »
    OP, can I ask why you need a BER assessment?
    If it's for a sale or rental, then carry on.
    However, if it's to check out the house with a view to knowing what to do to improve your comfort and running costs then you may be better to save on the BER cost and get a proper survey done instead.

    This , this all day.


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    #7
    Kaldo
    Registered Users Posts: 221 ✭✭Kaldo


    2004
    No extensions
    There are no documents that proves what's in the walls, floors and roof. Which docs are your referring?


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    #8
    Kaldo
    Registered Users Posts: 221 ✭✭Kaldo


    After SEAI Heating Controls... However I was thinking to do other jobs of improvement...


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    #9
    ht9zni1gs28crp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭ht9zni1gs28crp


    punisher5112 wrote: »
    Block off the chimney is a big plus as this is a big loss of heat, and draughts or gaps in Windows or doors, get the tape that gives a better seal and so on....

    Biggest waste of time and you are only codding yourself. Unless you plan on leaving the chimney and the windows taped shut.


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    #10
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    miller_63 wrote: »
    Biggest waste of time and you are only codding yourself. Unless you plan on leaving the chimney and the windows taped shut.

    Are you for real, of course it will help, didn't say tape windows shut, was actually talking about the foam tape that helps seal if seals are worn or windows out of shape as to stop draught....


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    #11
    ht9zni1gs28crp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭ht9zni1gs28crp


    punisher5112 wrote: »
    Are you for real, of course it will help, didn't say tape windows shut, was actually talking about the foam tape that helps seal if seals are worn or windows out of shape as to stop draught....

    If its a deep retrofit your doing yes.

    But as the OP alluded to its to boost a standard BER. Most of your standard BER's are done, taping up vents and sealing the chimney using this method and its the biggest con going.


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    #12
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,074 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    1. standard BER assessment do not take air tightness levels into account. Air tightness is quantifiable by means of testing, so unless an Air Tight test, carried out by a registered certified tester, is available, then foaming up or taping up window opes is not going to make any difference to the BER rating. It will make a difference to the energy efficiency of the house however, especially if the situation is very drafty in the first place.

    2. a chimney must be permanently closed up in order for it to count against ventilation losses. A chimney balloon etc will not count. Again, it will make a difference to the houses heat losses, but it wont make a difference to the rating.


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    #13
    McHardcore
    Registered Users Posts: 349 ✭✭McHardcore


    MicktheMan wrote: »
    OP, can I ask why you need a BER assessment?
    If it's for a sale or rental, then carry on.
    However, if it's to check out the house with a view to knowing what to do to improve your comfort and running costs then you may be better to save on the BER cost and get a proper survey done instead.

    Would you have any idea what a "proper survey" is called? Just so that I know what to google and price the service.


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    #14
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users Posts: 2,825 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    McHardcore wrote: »
    Would you have any idea what a "proper survey" is called? Just so that I know what to google and price the service.

    Try "Heat loss survey" or even better "independent heat loss survey"


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    #15
    McHardcore
    Registered Users Posts: 349 ✭✭McHardcore


    MicktheMan wrote: »
    Try "Heat loss survey" or even better "independent heat loss survey"

    thanks :)


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    #16
    Yellow_Fern
    Registered Users Posts: 2,576 ✭✭✭Yellow_Fern


    Would adding attic insulation to 30 or 35 cm be recognised by the assessor?


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    #17
    Kaldo
    Registered Users Posts: 221 ✭✭Kaldo


    Yes, verified. 300mm


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    #18
    Kaldo
    Registered Users Posts: 221 ✭✭Kaldo


    Yellow_Fern wrote: »
    Would adding attic insulation to 30 or 35 cm be recognised by the assessor?

    Yes, verified. 300mm


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    #19
    Yellow_Fern
    Registered Users Posts: 2,576 ✭✭✭Yellow_Fern


    I guess they the OP should have 150 mm or 200 mm as it. If they really wanted to go the whole hog, and if they felt it was a warmis house a certified blower test could be done and input into the BER and that might push it down.


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