BER and multiple fuel choices

O

outofmymind

Registered User
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Hi
Need to get a BER done and would like to get a good score. The house has all of these:
  • oil central heating - radiators and hot water (condensor boiler)
  • a back boiler on a solid fuel stove that is also connected to the central heating radiators and hot water
  • an immersion heater for hot water
I'm just wondering if the BER assessment is done on the basis of the worst of these choices or the best choice or what? And how would those choices be ranked? It would be possible to remove one or more of the above if it made a difference to the BER. Thanks
 
Just curious, is there a particular reason you are after a certain score? Hoping it might sell for more?

The assessment will factor all those factors into the calculation, but removing any of them will certainly not improve the rating to any great degree but could potentially lower the rating considerably.

If you want quick hits to improve the rating, add another layer of insulation to the attic, ensure all lights are using high-efficiency bulbs, fit or replace draft / weather seals, seal up any open fireplaces, ensure the central heating is zoned with thermostats on each zone...
 
All the hits are done - walls pumped, 18" of insulaiton, high energy bulbs, double glazed, stove not fireplace, seals etc.

Rental property so a good score is advantageous.

You say "The assessment will factor all those factors into the calculation, but removing any of them will certainly not improve the rating to any great degree but could potentially lower the rating considerably". Can you expand on this? It suggests you are saying that the 'best' source of heat/water is taken as the value? How would those heating systems rank?
 
Oil will be considered your primary heat source
Solid fuel your secondary heat source
Immersion only considered if oil heating not capable of heating water without having the heating on at the same time in summer etc
 
Buddy1977 said:
Oil will be considered your primary heat source
Solid fuel your secondary heat source
Immersion only considered if oil heating not capable of heating water without having the heating on at the same time in summer etc
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Thanks Buddy1977. That is helpful. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. So essentially more options is better ... which makes sense.
 
outofmymind said:
True, but we like to look out for our tenants (and the environment).
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Fair enough, but all the more reason not to get caught up on the rating. The BER system is designed to make it possible to arrive at an energy rating through a simple and cheap assessment. As such it has some serious limitations and doesn't address important issues like air-tightness at all.
 
Leo said:
With the lack of supply out there now, I wouldn't sweat the rating too much.
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Still worth doing, as there is likely to be a minimum BER introduced in 2025, and a low BER rating isn't attractive to buyers without deep pockets to upgrade.
 
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Slim said:
What's the best way to block up the chimney and fireplace?
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If its no longer in use you can get a chimney "balloon" in any hardware shop. Obviously, if its in use, you shouldn't block it.
 
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