BER And My House Extension

A Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate shows how well a building works in how much energy it uses and how much carbon dioxide is emitted. The lower the consumption of energy, the higher the rating. The calculation is based on a number of factors, such as the insulation performance of the building envelope (floor, walls and roof, including windows, etc.), the heating system, heating controls, ventilation, energy rating on lighting, etc. A BER certificate is accompanied by an advisory report that details how to improve performance.

We are often asked what the BER of the extension will be. Since house extensions are not rated separately but as part of the overall rating of the home, the question is, “How will the house extension affect the BER rating of my home?” In the vast majority of cases, it will significantly improve the BER of the house. The best way to dissect the performance of the extension is to look at the components of the house extension and how they perform, i.e. floors, walls and roof.

Current building regulations in Ireland are considered by many to be as high as they need to be for our temperate climate (wet, windy but no extreme temperatures). Shomera’s standard specifications for floors, walls, roof and finishes exceed current building regulations. In addition, because we use mostly timber-frame on the walls and roof, a very good level of airtightness is achieved. Other considerations are important too, like how well the windows, doors and rooflights are sealed at junctions.

Because we exceed building regulations, ensure a high-quality of build and pay attention to detail, your house extension will keep you warm and cosy, improve your BER and help to lower your bills.