Record number of BER audits carried out last year, says CSO

Last year saw a record number of Building Energy Rating (BER) audits carried out around the country, indicating that the potential savings on energy costs may be starting to influence property buyer decisions.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office this week show that there were BER audits carried out on 105,539 dwellings in 2014, bringing to over half a million the total number conducted since January 2009.

The findings show that more than three quarters of houses built in the last 15 years have received a BER rating of C or better, proving that people are more conscious than ever about the potential savings from an energy efficient home. That can have an influence on the selling price of a property, according to Darren Kelly of Portmarnock-based auctioneers Property Team Noel Kelly.

“BERs wouldn’t attract people into a property as such but it can help in achieving a better final sale price for a vendor as some people are reluctant to invest in a property that has a G or F rating as it can cost them thousands more to bring that rating up.

“In relation to new homes it definitely helps. With the new building regulations people have grown to expect those sort of energy ratings from a new build.

He cites the example of a scheme they are selling at Knocksedan in Swords at the moment that carries an A2 rating.

The developer is claiming huge savings on energy costs with bills of between €300 and €400 annually.