Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management Programmes
Certificate in Building Energy Rating (All Dwellings)
Programme Location: |
Thurles Campus* |
*Provision of this programme is subject to viable registered student numbers
Introduction:
The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) came into force in Ireland in January 2006. A central aim of the Directive is to allow building purchasers and leaseholders to clearly establish the energy efficiency of any building in which they are considering acquiring an interest. Buildings will be given an energy label, similar to that used for electrical appliances at present.
From 1st January 2009 all dwellings, new and existing, which are constructed, sold or rented now require a Building Energy Rating. BER1 Certificates can only be issued by qualified independent assessors registered with SEI2. Since 2007, Tipperary Institute in association with the AIEA3 has delivered a BER training programme.
This new programme has been developed to meet the requirements for the provision of Building Energy Rating Certificates in respect of existing as well as new dwellings, so that graduates who reach the relevant standards can register with SEI to complete assessments for all dwellings.
1 BER: Building Energy Rating
2 SEI: Sustainable Energy Ireland – www.sei.ie
3 AIEA: Association of Irish Energy Agencies - www.aiea.ie.
Programme Aims:
The aim of the programme is to educate BER assessors to be able to undertake and provide a BER and accompanying Advisory Report for new and existing dwellings, for delivery to the owner or builder, and for a prospective buyer or tenant, when the dwelling is constructed, sold or rented.
The programme provides an overview of the background to the EPBD (The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) and the appropriate legislation in Ireland and then builds the technical knowledge, skills and competence to utilise the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) to deliver BERs to the market.
Graduates will be assessors with the knowledge and skills which will allow them to deal with variety of housing in the Irish market and they will also have a broad knowledge of the emerging sustainable building techniques i.e. renewables, passive house design etc.
Programme Objectives:
Deliver high quality graduates to the sector who can provide a quality building energy rating assessor service for the residential sector
Contribute to the implementation of the EPBD in Ireland
Increase the implementation of sustainable energy actions in the region
Programme Structure and Assessment:
The programme is offered on a part-time basis and will be delivered initially in day time mode. It may be delivered in evening mode in the future.
The programme will be divided into two modules, each with a number of component units:
Module 1: will focus on DEAP (Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure) and sustainable energy for new dwellings
Module 2: will focus on DEAP (Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure) and sustainable energy for existing dwellings.
For each module it is proposed to deliver the programme in two blocks. It is expected that from the point of registrations to final examinations will take approximately 16 weeks.
Assessment will include short assignments, a short written examination, a project with regards to an actual dwelling and a practical examination of the use of the DEAP (Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure) software.
Entry Requirements:
Minimum requirements will, normally be a National Certificate Level 6 Advanced Certificate/Higher Certificate in construction studies or other cognate discipline or equivalent.
Equivalence may be determined as a combination of an appropriate construction-related qualification and significant relevant experience. Applicants will be offered a place on the programme on the basis of a written application and, if appropriate, interview. Applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.
Potential applicants are recommended to review the SEI website (www.sei.ie) to determine the requirements and work opportunities for BER Assessors.
Statement from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI):
“As of the 13th of February 2009 there were over 1,818 registered assessors. A total of 4,898 people (including those currently registered) have successfully completed BER Assessor training courses. It is expected that some proportion of these qualified people can be expected to go on to register with SEI. SEI estimates that the equivalent of 1,000 full time active BER assessors would be required to meet the demands of the residential BER market.”
See www.sei.ie/yourbuilding/BER for more information.
Module Descriptions:
In each Module, Units 1 to 4 will focus on sustainable energy in buildings and provide the theory and knowledge needed to gather data for the DEAP system, while Units 5 to 8 will deal with the specific use of known data and experience to utilise the DEAP methodology and software to provide a Building Energy Rating (BER) for an existing domestic dwelling.
A specific unit of study has been defined in Module 2, which focuses on surveying existing dwellings. This will be used to re-enforce the theory addressed in Units 1 to 4 and support the use of DEAP software in Units 5 to 8.
Award and Further Study Opportunities:
On successful completion of the programme students will be awarded a HETAC Special Purpose Award in Building Energy Rating.
Testimonials from Programme Participants regarding the BER Programme (New Dwellings):
“A very well delivered course, factual, informative and at times light-hearted but with an overall emphasis towards understanding the course content and a strong emphasis on the correct methods to employ as assessors in delivering a quality service to future clients.”
Michael Reilly, Consultant Engineer
“The course was professionally and efficiently delivered, by knowledgeable personnel with obvious energy expertise, backed up by a very competent organisation.”
Brian England, Engineer
Programme Fee:
Programme Fee €2500.
This fee includes a student manual, wide range of support materials, access to on-line learning and support tool (learning.tippinst.ie), DEAP software and access to TI BER Alumni upon successful completion of the programme.
Note: Graduates of the TI BER Certificate Programme for new dwellings and similar HETAC level awards will be provided with an exemption from the first module of the new programme and a reduced fee will apply.
Information:
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