Will Cooling Become Part of BER Assessments in Ireland? The Future of Home Energy Ratings
- Mihai
- 2d
- 4 min read
As Ireland's climate changes and homes become increasingly energy efficient, one question is being asked more frequently:
Will cooling eventually become an important part of a BER assessment?
The short answer is yes—but probably not in the way many people expect.
While Building Energy Ratings (BERs) have traditionally focused on reducing heating demand, future regulations are expected to place greater emphasis on summer comfort, overheating, and the overall year-round performance of buildings.
In this article, we explain how cooling is currently treated in a BER assessment, why it has had little impact until now, and how future Irish regulations may evolve.
🌡️ Is Cooling Already Included in a BER Assessment?
Yes.
The DEAP (Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure) used to calculate domestic BER Certificates can already account for cooling where a dwelling has a fixed cooling system installed.
Examples include:
Air conditioning systems
Reversible air source heat pumps operating in cooling mode
Fixed comfort cooling systems
Where these systems are present, the BER calculation can include:
Cooling energy consumption
Primary energy use
Operational carbon emissions
However, because very few homes in Ireland have mechanical cooling, this part of the assessment has historically had little influence on the overall BER rating.
🏠 Why Has Cooling Never Been a Major Issue in Ireland?
For decades, Irish homes have been designed to retain heat rather than reject it.
The focus has always been on reducing winter heating demand through:
High-performance insulation
Airtight construction
Efficient heating systems
Heat pumps
Improved windows and doors
Ireland's relatively mild climate meant that overheating was rarely considered a significant design issue.
☀️ Why Is This Beginning to Change?
Modern homes are becoming increasingly airtight and better insulated.
While this dramatically reduces heating bills, it can also increase the risk of overheating if buildings are not carefully designed.
Several factors are contributing to this trend:
Better insulated homes
Larger areas of glazing
Increased solar gains
More frequent summer heatwaves
Climate change
As a result, designers are paying much closer attention to maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year.
🌍 The New Focus on Overheating
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) encourages buildings that are both energy efficient and comfortable to occupy.
Rather than relying on air conditioning, future building design is expected to prioritise passive cooling measures that minimise the need for mechanical cooling.
These include:
External shading
Solar control glazing
Appropriate window orientation
Natural cross ventilation
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) with summer bypass
Thermal mass
Green roofs and other climate-resilient design features
These solutions improve comfort while keeping energy consumption low.
❄️ Will Air Conditioning Improve a BER Rating?
Not necessarily.
Although cooling systems can be included in the BER calculation, they also consume electricity.
In many cases, installing air conditioning may increase operational energy consumption rather than reduce it.
For this reason, good building design aims to avoid the need for active cooling wherever possible.
Passive cooling strategies are generally considered a more sustainable solution.
🔥 What About Reversible Heat Pumps?
Many modern air source heat pumps installed in Ireland can provide both heating and cooling.
As these systems become more common, cooling energy may become a more significant part of future BER assessments.
However, heating will continue to represent the largest proportion of annual household energy use for most Irish homes.
🔮 What Could Future BER Assessments Include?
Although no major changes have been announced, future versions of the BER methodology could place greater emphasis on:
Summer overheating risk
Cooling demand
Passive cooling performance
Climate resilience
Year-round indoor comfort
This would better reflect how buildings actually perform throughout the year rather than focusing primarily on winter heating.
👷 Designing Homes for the Future
Whether constructing a new home or upgrading an existing property, good design should consider both heating and summer comfort.
Simple measures such as:
Correct glazing selection
External shading
Good ventilation design
Appropriate thermal mass
Airtightness
High-quality insulation
can significantly improve comfort while reducing future energy consumption.
These strategies often eliminate or reduce the need for mechanical cooling altogether.
Why Choose MTS DNC Energy Consultants?
At MTS DNC Energy Consultants, we provide professional:
BER Assessments
BER Certificates
Heat Pump Technical Assessments
Part L Compliance
Building Energy Modelling
Energy Consultancy
We work with homeowners, architects, developers and commercial clients across Dublin, including Malahide, Swords, Portmarnock, Donabate, Rush, Lusk, Skerries, Balbriggan, Clontarf, Raheny, Glasnevin, Santry, Tallaght, Dundrum, Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire and surrounding areas.
Our experienced BER assessors help clients understand not only today's energy requirements but also the future direction of sustainable building design.
Final Thoughts
Cooling has traditionally played only a small role in Irish homes, but this is beginning to change.
As buildings become more energy efficient and Ireland experiences warmer summers, future BER assessments are likely to place greater emphasis on overheating, passive cooling, and year-round building performance.
While heating will remain the dominant factor in the BER for many years to come, designing homes that stay comfortable without excessive energy use will become increasingly important.
Preparing for these changes today can help create homes that are not only more energy efficient but also healthier, more comfortable, and better suited to Ireland's changing climate.
📞 Need a BER Assessment for Your Property?
At MTS DNC Energy Consultants Limited, we help homeowners and developers understand and improve their building’s energy performance by providing:
✔ Accurate BER ratings
✔ Guidance tailored to your building type
✔ Cost-effective strategies to meet regulations
✔ Recommendations for long-term efficiency
👉 Contact us today for expert advice or to schedule your BER assessment.
For further inquiries or assistance, feel free to contact us.
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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