Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2198. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made towards increasing the number of businesses and homes with building energy ratings and display energy certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32063/19]
View answerA Building Energy Rating or BER is an energy rating label with an accompanying advisory report for homes. The rating is a simple A to G scale. A-rated homes are the most energy-efficient and will tend to have the lowest energy bills. A BER makes the energy performance of a home visible to prospective buyers and tenants allowing them to take energy performance into consideration in their purchase or rental decision. The Advisory Report identifies potential energy performance improvements that could lead to better comfort levels, reduced energy use and costs. An enhanced advisory report, to be made available later this year, will provide more information including on the indicative costs and grant supports available for suggested energy improvements for the property to help promote more energy upgrades.
The purpose of Display Energy Certificates is to encourage public building owners to adopt energy efficiency measures by displaying their energy performance. The Display Energy Certificate (DEC) rating is based on the measured, actual energy use of a building. This is then compared to a benchmark for similar buildings. In contrast, a BER is based on calculated energy use. The certificate shows the grade awarded, energy and CO2 performance indicators, as well as energy trends. It is required in addition to the BER and covers both privately and publicly owned large buildings.
Good progress has been made in increasing the number of businesses and homes with BERs and DECs in recent years. The Government’s Climate Action Plan includes actions aimed at further increasing the number of homes and businesses with BERs and DECs as well as maximising the potential for the certificates to help householders and businesses to decarbonise their buildings.
The number of BER certificates (split between domestic and non-domestic) and Display Energy Certificates issued in the last ten years is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Domestic BER |
Non-domestic BER |
Display Energy Certificate |
|
2009 |
94,083 |
2,971 |
N/A |
|
2010 |
90,380 |
2,754 |
N/A |
|
2011 |
107,141 |
2,300 |
N/A |
|
2012 |
74,951 |
2,745 |
N/A |
|
2013 |
99,715 |
8,823 |
N/A |
|
2014 |
110,173 |
9,810 |
260 |
|
2015 |
98,294 |
7,716 |
333 |
|
2016 |
93,191 |
6,945 |
370 |
|
2017 |
97,263 |
6,165 |
369 |
|
2018 |
93,821 |
4,661 |
412 |
|
2019* |
47,346 |
2,236 |
159 |
*Year to date
