Houses to be rated for energy use

HOUSEHUNTERS will have to check out two tags when searching for that dream property from today — the first is the price, the second is the house’s energy rating.

All new houses will come with a Building Energy Rating (BER) which will demonstrate how efficient they are in using energy and, therefore, how much of an impact they will have on the environment.

Ireland is one of a group of 10 EU countries who are leading the way by introducing the energy rating system for new homes. The scheme will be extended to all new buildings in 2008 and to second-hand homes coming on to the market in 2009.