Why Ireland's New Electricity Factors Could Improve Your BER Certificate
- Mihai
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
If you're planning to obtain a BER Certificate, arrange a BER assessment, or improve your home's energy efficiency, there has been an important change to Ireland's Building Energy Rating (BER) methodology that every homeowner should understand.
As part of the updated BER calculation methodology, SEAI has significantly reduced both the Primary Energy Factor and the Carbon Emission Factor for electricity.
While these may sound like technical engineering terms, they can have a real impact on your BER Certificate—particularly if your home uses a heat pump, solar PV, or other electric technologies.
Let's look at what has changed and why it matters.
⚡ The New Electricity Factors
The BER methodology now uses the following electricity factors:
Factor | Previous Value | New Value |
Primary Energy Factor | 2.08 | 1.50 |
Carbon Emission Factor | 0.409 kgCO₂/kWh | 0.1685 kgCO₂/kWh |
These are some of the most significant updates introduced in recent years.
🏡 What Is the Primary Energy Factor?
Many homeowners assume that if they use 1 kWh of electricity, then only 1 kWh needs to be generated.
In reality, electricity is lost during:
Power station generation
Transmission across the national grid
Distribution through local networks
The Primary Energy Factor (PEF) estimates how much energy was originally required to deliver 1 kWh of electricity to your home.
Previously, the BER calculation assumed:
1 kWh used = 2.08 kWh of primary energy
Now it assumes:
1 kWh used = 1.50 kWh of primary energy
This reflects the fact that Ireland's electricity system has become much more efficient and contains a far greater proportion of renewable electricity.
🌍 What Is the Carbon Emission Factor?
The Carbon Emission Factor measures how much carbon dioxide is produced when your home consumes electricity.
Previously:
1 kWh of electricity = 0.409 kg CO₂
Today:
1 kWh of electricity = 0.1685 kg CO₂
That's a reduction of almost 60%.
The reason is simple.
Ireland now generates much more electricity from:
Wind farms
Solar farms
Hydroelectric power
Other renewable energy sources
As renewable electricity replaces fossil fuels, every unit of electricity becomes cleaner.
🔥 What Does This Actually Mean for Your BER Certificate?
This is where the changes become important.
Imagine two identical houses.
Both require exactly 10,000 kWh of heat each year.
House 1 – Oil Boiler
The oil boiler still burns fossil fuel.
Its carbon emissions remain broadly similar because the fuel itself has not changed.
Its BER may improve only slightly under the new methodology.
House 2 – Air-to-Water Heat Pump
The heat pump also provides the same amount of heat.
However:
It uses electricity instead of oil.
Electricity is now considered much cleaner.
Electricity now has a lower Primary Energy Factor.
As a result:
Primary Energy consumption decreases.
Operational carbon emissions decrease.
The overall BER calculation becomes more favourable.
The house hasn't changed—but the electricity powering it has.
📈 Why Heat Pumps Benefit the Most
Heat pumps were already one of the most efficient heating technologies available.
They typically produce:
3–5 kWh of heat
from
1 kWh of electricity.
Now combine that efficiency with a cleaner electricity grid.
The result is:
✔ Lower calculated primary energy.
✔ Lower calculated carbon emissions.
✔ Better BER performance.
This is one reason why modern homes with heat pumps are increasingly achieving A-rated BER Certificates.
☀️ Solar PV Becomes Even More Valuable
Homes with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels also benefit.
Electricity generated on-site offsets electricity imported from the national grid.
Combined with the new electricity factors, solar PV contributes even more positively towards a property's BER calculation.
❄️ Does This Mean Every Home Will Get a Better BER?
No.
A BER assessment considers many factors, including:
Wall insulation
Roof insulation
Floor insulation
Windows and doors
Airtightness
Heating efficiency
Hot water systems
Ventilation
Renewable technologies
The updated electricity factors improve one part of the calculation, but they do not replace good building fabric.
A poorly insulated home with a heat pump may still receive a lower BER than a well-insulated home with an efficient heating system.
📊 A Simple Example
Suppose a heat pump consumes 1,000 kWh of electricity each year.
Under the Previous BER Methodology
Primary Energy:
2,080 kWh
Operational Carbon:
409 kg CO₂
Under the New BER Methodology
Primary Energy:
1,500 kWh
Operational Carbon:
168.5 kg CO₂
Notice something important:
👉 The heat pump uses exactly the same amount of electricity.
Nothing about the house has changed.
Only the way the electricity is assessed has changed because Ireland's electricity supply is now much cleaner.
🌱 Why Has SEAI Updated These Figures?
Ireland is rapidly decarbonising its electricity network.
Every year, a greater percentage of electricity comes from renewable sources.
The BER methodology has therefore been updated to reflect today's electricity generation rather than relying on figures from over a decade ago.
These changes also support:
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
Ireland's Climate Action Plan
The transition towards Zero-Emission Buildings (ZEB)
Greater adoption of heat pumps and renewable technologies
👷 Need a BER Certificate or BER Assessment?
At MTS DNC Energy Consultants, we provide professional:
BER Certificates
BER Assessments
BER Certificates in Dublin
BER Assessments in Dublin
Domestic and Commercial BER Assessments
Heat Pump Technical Assessments
Part L Compliance
Dynamic Thermal Modelling
Energy Consultancy
Our experienced BER Assessors help homeowners, landlords, buyers and developers understand how changes to the BER methodology affect their property and identify practical ways to improve energy performance.
👉 Contact us today for expert advice or to schedule your BER assessment.
For further inquiries or assistance, feel free to contact us.
Final Thoughts
The reduction in the Primary Energy Factor from 2.08 to 1.50 and the Carbon Emission Factor from 0.409 to 0.1685 kgCO₂/kWh is more than just a technical update.
It reflects the transformation of Ireland's electricity grid.
For homeowners using heat pumps, solar PV, or other electric technologies, these changes mean that modern BER Certificates now better recognise the environmental benefits of clean electricity.
If you're planning to sell, rent, renovate, or apply for an SEAI grant, obtaining an up-to-date BER assessment ensures your property is assessed using the latest methodology.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in these posts is for informational purposes only and should not be considered design advice, specifications, or a calculation template. We assume no responsibility or liability for the use of the information presented. For professional advice or design services, please contact us via our contact form.
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