Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
508. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if data collected by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, on BER forms in respect of water usage will not be passed on to other authorities such as Irish Water and that such data shall be protected in line with GDPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41614/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Building Energy Rating or BER is an energy rating label with 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 BER calculates the energy used to heat water based on the specification of the water system and standardised occupancy. This calculation was recently revised to more accurately account for the hot water demand within the dwelling. However, BER assessors do not collect measured or actual water usage to complete BER assessments.
SEAI do not share BER data with Irish Water. Anonymised BER data for all BERs registered is available on the SEAI website. It is not possible to identify individual homes using anonymised BER data. BER data is subject to GDPR and the BER legislation S.I. 243 of 2012.
