10/02/09 - 100 Million Euro Insulation Scheme to Benefit 50,000 Homes - A 100 Million Euro national insulation programme will benefit 50,000 homes and employ 4,000 people during 2009, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan has said. Mre Ryan said the programme would save money through reduced heating bills, reduce carbon emissions and also create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. The scheme is aimed at middle income homes and claims that energy savings of 700 Euro per year can be achieved. Six different types of work to retrofit houses and improve insulation are eligible under the scheme including > Attic Insulation :: Wall Insulation :: Heating Control Upgrades :: Building Energy Rating Assessment (BER). A minimum level of investment will be required of householders to participate.

24/01/09 - Building Energy Rating (BER) - BER (Building Energy Rating) certificate: What is it? A BER certificate is similar to the energy label for a household electrical appliance like your fridge. The label has a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G the least efficient. From the 1st of January 2009 a BER certificate will be compulsory for all homes being sold or rented. A BER makes the energy performance of a home visible to prospective buyers and tenants and enables them to take energy performance into consideration in their next house purchase or rental decision. BERs will be carried out by specially trained BER assessors, registered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). Along with the BER certificate, you will also receive an Advisory Report which will help you to identify how you might improve the energy performance of your home. To find a BER Assessor please refer to design source category > BER Assessors.