A Guide on A Rated Homes

We take a look at the benefits of an a rate home and how it affects your carbon footprint and your pocket.

Firstly, you are probably wondering what is a BER and what does it mean?

A Building Energy Rating (BER) is based on the energy used for heating, ventilation, water heating, and lighting a home. Consumption is measured in kilowatt hours per metre squared per year and is rated from A1 to G. So an A1-rated house uses 25 kilowatt hours per square metre per year or less, and a G-rated house uses more than 450 kilowatt hours per square metre per year.
The SEAI supplies a rough guide to the heating costs associated with each rating and the variations are eye opening. For instance, an A1-rated semi-detached 1,600 sq ft house should theoretically cost €280 a year to heat. A house of the same type with a D1 rating would set you back €2,600 a year in heating bills.

What exactly is an A-rated home?
An A-rated efficient home requires little to no energy for heating/cooling, are eco-friendly and comfortable to live in. These homes use less non-renewable resources and minimise excessive energy use (saving you money) all while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

So, what are the main benefits of an A-Rated home?

1. Reduction in Cost
Apart from comfort, one of the main benefits of owning an A-Rated home, is lower bills. All heating and cooling in an A rated home is performed by electricity only, using an Air-to-Water Heat Pump system. Decreasing our reliance on fuel and oil is important now and for the foreseeable future.

2. Resale Value
In terms of resale, a property with a lower energy rating is much more appealing to buyers of second-hand properties. So, by increasing your BER you are future proofing your home.

3. Green Energy Mortgage Rates
Nearly all major Irish banks will offer lower incentive mortgage rates when lending on homes rated from A1 to B3. Fixed term interest rates offer significant savings also.

4. Less Risk of Emergent Issues
In an A-Rated home, the risk of any emergent issues is reduced massively. The likelihood of some immersion problems, gas leaks, sewage system difficulties, moulding and dampness, are all at a lower chance of happening with a-rated homes.

5. Air Quality
We spend about two-thirds of our lives inside our homes which makes the air quality in our homes extremely important. Air is equally as essential while you are awake as it is while you are asleep. Even your sleep can be impacted by airborne allergens, which can cause breathing issues that are related to sleep disorders including sleep apnoea. Air quality is impacted by the airtightness of a house, combined with the mechanical ventilation which helps to improve overall air quality.

6. Smart Homes
Smart home systems are being used more and more in specifications for new build A-rated homes. These smart systems connect all the systems in your home from energy usage, heating, and your security system, bringing you the all the controls in one place.
Smart homes can identify locations where you may be consuming more energy than is necessary, enabling you to reduce your usage and save funds there.

7. Sustainable Communities
A rated homes help to build sustainable communities. Residing in an A-Rated home has the virtue of lowering your carbon footprint as well as promoting environmental preservation. Most newly built properties eliminate waste production, air and water pollution, usage of finite natural resources, and non-renewable energy consumption. Sustainable communities offer more support. Possibly the feeling of communal connection is the biggest advantage of residing in a sustainable community.

See our list of new build A-rated homes for sale HERE