It is a great concept to be sure, but will logistics / economics get the better of the Building Energy Rating ( BER ) Scheme ? Some would say it was doomed from the start.
The importance of creating a standardised testing programme to measure and rate the energy efficiency of Irish buildings was certainly beyond question. Anything that would reduce the carbon foot print of every property owner - private and domestic alike - could only be beneficial to both current and future generations. By introducing the BER scheme in this way, the government could gradually increase the quality of building standards and introduce new building regulations around energy efficiency. A well thought out and sustainable programme for all.
Or was it ? Some would argue that the BER scheme was introduced about 5 years (minimum) too late. By the time it came into effect for private houses, the economy was bust. As it currently stands only houses for sale (new and second hand) and rental properties need a BER cert. Given that we will build about 12,000 new homes - down from a high of 90,000 - this year it appears that BER has missed the boat in this area. Also consider that there are are now fewer second hand houses being sold (and you can be sure that the owners of those that are will not be investing the €250 required for a BER cert until they are close to a selling them - whenever that is) and you can see the demand for BER cert. Sure, rental properties are also meant to have a BER cert. In principle this creates a demand. In practise are landlords actually bothering ?
Much of the problem stems from demand and enforcement. If a tenant is aware of the need to ask for a BER cert for a rental property then this drives demand. It appears that tenants may not be asking, so landlords are not providing. Maybe more could be done to create a general awareness of the BER scheme to stimulate demand in this sector ?
Then there is enforcement. I'd love to know how many audits have been done on rental properties to ensure that they have a BER cert. Anecdotally I understand not many. I also understand the policing BER certs was originally under the remit of the SEI - It was then flicked to the local councils. Local councils do not have a budget to police this area, nor are they likely to get budget. So, this would lead to a conclusion that policing is lax. Hence the lack of demand.
If policing is not occurring, then who maintains the standards? Is one BER Assesors "A" rating the same as another's ? Are individual assessors enticed to provide certain ratings ? If it means a house can be sold at a higher price, then it could be serious. It would be great to know for sure, again I've only hear rumours.
Then of course there is the training aspect. 7,000 trained up BER assessors chasing up a trickle of business. A recipe for disaster ?
I know it sounds negative, but I really am a fan of the BER Scheme. In theory.