Heat’s on: Government’s heralded eco-grading system ‘won’t be ready’ for launch

THE SOCIETY of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) has warned the Government’s planned eco grading system — due to come into force on January 1 for all buildings being rented or sold — will not be ready in time.

It was announced two years ago that from 2009, all such buildings would have to carry a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate. Failure to hold this cert, which grades a property from A to G depending on its energy efficiency, would carry a €5,000 fine or three months jail.

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), who will run the scheme on behalf of the Department of the Environment, has said the system will roll out on time.