Ber and part l on a renovation

homewardbound11

Hi ,

A family member is renovating but s question came up . Do you have to renovate to a certain ber level or part l when renovating . The reason being they are being forced to put in solar panels .

I thought part l was for new builds . Their provisional ber had solar panels and a b3?

antiskeptic

homewardbound11 wrote: »

Hi ,

A family member is renovating but s question came up . Do you have to renovate to a certain ber level or part l when renovating . The reason being they are being forced to put in solar panels .

I thought part l was for new builds . Their provisional ber had solar panels and a b3?

Forced by whom?

If someone is so substantially renovating (e.g. demolishing a house and rebuilding a new one - say keeping the front facade only) then I understand they'd fall under new build regs. Not only BER but the whole kit and kiboodle attaching to new builds

Perhaps too, if it's a change of use situation.

But ordinary renovation? Nah.
It's not possible to direct that an old building be brought up to modern standards. If building a new extension then that would have to be up to current building regs, but you couldn't direct a whole of house BER level since the original part of the finished house wouldn't be subject to a BER requirement and would drag the whole of house BER down.

homewardbound11

The person signing off is requesting solar panels . The renovation is significant but not major renovation. Only 1 external wall extended and garage converted . Patio doors added and entrance changed .Rest of the house was simple or same .I don't think it was in the planning drawings .

So it doesn't make since other than to change the ber cert to reflect the current situation for sign off .
Am I reading this wrong as changing now will add 5 k to add panels and change cylinder .

BryanF

Not enough info

'Forced' suggested your friend needs to speak to the guards

That's a legal matter

homewardbound11

Thanks brianf.

What info are you looking for .

Is renovation required to comply??

BryanF

Renovation must comply with relevant sections of part L

There is no situation where someone should be 'forced' to install solar panels there are always options

Are you sure this is classified as a 'renovation' ?

something is not adding up here..

homewardbound11

BryanF wrote: »

Renovation must comply with relevant sections of part L

There is no situation where someone should be 'forced' to install solar panels there are always options

Are you sure this is classified as a 'renovation' ?

something is not adding up here..

Ok . So renovation must comply with part L ? Am I reading your reply correctly as this is the important question
. As the preliminary ber had panels that were overlooked by the family member . The question from the family member was do I need to install 0panels . So based on your reply , is it correct that renovations must comply with part L or a minimum level of efficiency compliance

It sounds crazy but might be true . The reason being what I can't understand is , why not drop to a b1 or a b2 to avoid putting in the panels .

It's hard to give information when none is being requested . Sorry Bryan I appreciate your help , so don't get me wrong here .

BryanF

homewardbound11 wrote: »

Ok .

1. So renovation must comply with part L ? Am I reading your reply correctly as this is the important question

2. As the preliminary ber had panels that were overlooked by the family member

3. The question from the family member was do I need to install 0panels .

4. So based on your reply , is it correct that renovations must comply with part L or a minimum level of efficiency compliance

5. It sounds crazy but might be true . The reason being what I can't understand is , why not drop to a b1 or a b2 to avoid putting in the panels .

6. It's hard to give information when none is being requested . Sorry Bryan I appreciate your help , so don't get me wrong here .

1. Yes
2. IF it's a renovation, why is a BER required?
3. Answer as above - not necessarily
4. Part L sets minimum compliance requirements
5. Are we sure this is classified as a 'renovation'. What is the existing m2 and proposed m2?
6. If you are concerned that your being taken for a ride - I think you should you get a second opinion


Ps
solar panels are a great addition to any renovation

Is the person advising you completely separate to the contractor?

homewardbound11

Question 5 gives the most information.
A rough estimate on the proposed M2 versus existing is the garage conversion . So the garage conversion would estimate 40-50 m2 on the originals 140 m2 dwelling . Hopefully this will help with the information on requirements .

BryanF

Is garage detached? What does your planning permission state?

sydthebeat

HB1....

Part L applies to all construction apart from a select group of small projects (small garages etc)
Its part of the building regulations.
Solar energy is not "Part L"... its only a tiny aspect of it.
Renewable energy provision is generally a regulation where there is a provision of a "new dwelling".... so its possible the certifer is viewing the renovation as the provision of a "new dwelling" if the existing building is very dilapidated and derelict.

i cant see any other reason youd get a preliminary BER report done and why the certifier would insis on renewable energy.

homewardbound11

sydthebeat wrote: »

HB1....

Part L applies to all construction apart from a select group of small projects (small garages etc)
Its part of the building regulations.
Solar energy is not "Part L"... its only a tiny aspect of it.
Renewable energy provision is generally a regulation where there is a provision of a "new dwelling".... so its possible the certifer is viewing the renovation as the provision of a "new dwelling" if the existing building is very dilapidated and derelict.

i cant see any other reason youd get a preliminary BER report done and why the certifier would insis on renewable energy.

Thanks sydthebeat.

I'm sensing there is something incorrect . The house was not lived in for 5-6 years but certainly not derilict. The garage was attached so I thought the comversion of the garage might have forced it to be thought of as a new build . Something just doesn't add up as only 1 wall was rebuilt to accommodate a large full height window .
I can understand getting a ber as a final cert of completion but why have such an onus on the BER level of B1.
It's not my house or my build just to clarify . They just don't have funds to extend to 5k for solar right now.

sydthebeat

homewardbound11 wrote: »

Thanks sydthebeat.

I'm sensing there is something incorrect . The house was not lived in for 5-6 years but certainly not derilict. The garage was attached so I thought the comversion of the garage might have forced it to be thought of as a new build . Something just doesn't add up as only 1 wall was rebuilt to accommodate a large full height window .
I can understand getting a ber as a final cert of completion but why have such an onus on the BER level of B1.
It's not my house or my build just to clarify . They just don't have funds to extend to 5k for solar right now.

theres no onus to get any BER rating in a renovation or extension.

There is certainly no onus to reach a prescribed rating of 'B1' anywhere in any regulation.

The BER assessment is done when the build is complete, as thats the point at which its legally required.

This can all be answered by the architect, you need to ask:

1. are they viewing the renovation as the provision of a new dwelling. if so, why?

2. if not, under what section of the building regulations or relevant legislation are they requesting the preliminary BER assessment and the provision of renewable energy?