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B2 Rated Home

Find out why B2 rated homes are more comfortable and can save on energy costs and carbon emissions.

Why upgrade to a B2 rated home

If you are upgrading an older home, we recommend you aim for a minimum BER of B2. You should also switch your heating system from oil or gas to a heat pump. That's because a B2 rated home is considered the benchmark for excellent energy performance and home comfort. Compare your home to a B2 rated home here and see the difference in your bills, comfort and carbon emissions.

See the difference in comfort and savings

Compare your home to a B2 rated home by answering three questions. See the difference it could make to your bills, comfort and carbon emissions.

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  • 02
  • 03
What type of home do you live in?
  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
What do you use to heat your home?
Select the BER rating of your home
Selected BER rating: {{berRating}}

If you don't know your BER, select D.

This represents a home that would benefit from an energy upgrade.

This is how your home compares to a B2-rated home

For more personalised results, match the occupancy and heating settings to your home.

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Saving on total energy bills
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Reduction in energy consumption
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Improvement in comfort level
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Reduction in carbon emissions
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Improvement in indoor air quality

Total energy bills

This is your home's estimated heating and non-heating related energy bill for a year. We have compared it with a B2-rated home with a heatpump and demand control ventilation. The total energy bill is lower for the B2 home as it is more energy efficient and uses renewable energy.

Saving on total energy bills
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Your home
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B Rated
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Energy consumption

This is your home's estimated heating and non-heating energy use for a year. We have compared it with a B2-rated home with a heatpump and demand control ventilation. The B2-rated home uses less energy thanks to energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy.

Reduction in energy consumption
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Your home
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B Rated
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Comfort level

This is the percentage of time your home stays at the set thermostat temperature. We have compared it with the comfort level of a B2-rated home with a heatpump. Upgraded insulation and renewable energy make the B2-rated home cosier and warmer.

Improvement in comfort level
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Your home
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B Rated
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Carbon emissions

This is an estimate of your home's carbon emissions in a year. We have compared this with a B2-rated home with a heatpump. Reduced energy use and renewable energy in the B2 home mean lower emissions.

Reduction in carbon emissions
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Your home
{{results.data.carbon_emissions.user_selected}} tCO2
B Rated
{{results.data.carbon_emissions.ideal}} tCO2

Indoor air quality

This is an estimate of your home's indoor CO2 levels and air quality. We have compared this with a B2-rated home with a heatpump and demand control ventilation. The B2 home has a lower concentration of CO2 in the air, giving you a healthier living environment.

Improvement in indoor air quality
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Your home
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B Rated
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Upgrade to a B2 home. Start your journey today.

Understand the options for your home energy upgrade. Compare One Stop Shops, individual grants and free energy upgrades.

Upgrades and grants

Edit your answers

  1. What type of home do you live in? {{homeType}} Edit
  2. What do you use to heat your home? {{formatedFuel}} Edit
  3. What is the BER rating of your home? {{berRating}} Edit

About this comparison tool

This tool is to be used for estimation purposes only. It allows you to compare your home to a B2 energy rated home. You can then personalise the results based on your energy consumption behaviour.

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Why B2 rated homes are comfortable

To reach a B2 energy rating, you need to reduce heat loss in your home and install an efficient heating system. High levels of attic, floor and wall insulation will keep your heat in. New windows and doors will keep draughts out. A heat pump will give you hot water and maintain a constant temperature in your home. Demand control ventilation will keep your air quality at a high level.

Save on energy bills

Woman relaxing in her home

Getting your home to a B2 rating or higher and switching to a heat pump, gives you excellent energy savings. Once your home is fully insulated you can install renewable energy such as solar panels. This will further improve your BER and reduce your energy bills.

Increase the value of your home

Line of attached houses with solar panels

The value of your home increases by 1% for every level you go up on the BER scale. For example, a home that goes from a BER of G to a B2 rating will increase its value by 10%. That means when you carry out energy upgrades to your home, you are increasing the value of your home.

Compare upgrade options

There are a number of ways to plan and manage your home energy upgrade and grant applications. Compare the options to see what works for you.

  • Individual Energy Upgrade Grants

    (Formerly Better Energy Homes and Solar PV schemes)

    Selection of individual grants for home energy upgrades

    Part funded with SEAI grants

    Homeowners manage their upgrades including:

    • contractor selection
    • grant application
    • contractor works
    • follow up BER

    Who this is for

    • homeowners and landlords
    About Individual Grants

  • One Stop Shop Service

    A complete home energy upgrade solution

    Part funded with SEAI grants

    Managed by a One Stop Shop including:

    • home energy assessment
    • grant application
    • project management
    • contractor works
    • follow up BER

    Who this is for

    • homeowners and landlords
    About One Stop Shops

  • Fully Funded Energy Upgrade

    (Formerly Warmer Homes)

    For qualifying homeowners

    Funded by SEAI

    Managed by SEAI and includes:

    • ​home survey
    • contractor selection
    • contractor works
    • follow up BER

    Who this is for

    • qualifying homeowners in receipt of certain welfare benefits
    Check your eligibility

Related content

Plan your upgrades

Why you should consider multiple energy upgrades for your home and how to approach it  

Find out moreabout Plan your upgrades

Guide to upgrades

Learn about the different types of energy efficiency upgrades and how they work.

Find out moreabout Guide to upgrades

Home energy grants

Compare the options to manage your home energy upgrade and grant applications.  

Find out moreabout Home energy grants