Cork has lowest number of homes awarded A rating

Cork City had the lowest proportion of A-rated homes awarded (Building Energy Ratings (BER) since 2009, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

A total of 1.37m dwellings nationally have received a Building Energy Rating (BER), an indication of energy performance. 

In May, the BER scale was reduced from 15 categories to eight — A0, A, B, C, D, E, F, and G — for domestic and non-domestic buildings. 

The A0 category is a new category for buildings that are both energy-efficient and do not produce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels.

According to the CSO, the highest rating category of A0 was received by 3,006 dwellings in Ireland since it was introduced in May. 

The highest proportion of A0 or A-rated dwellings in Ireland is in Kildare, at 30%, followed by Meath (28%), and Dublin County (29%). 

The lowest proportion of A0 or A-rated dwellings is in Cork City and Leitrim (both 6%). 

Of the 19,690 dwellings to receive a BER in Cork City, 14% received a B rating, with 35% receiving a C rating, 21% a D, 12% an E, 5% an F, and 7% a G rating.

Of 134,088 dwellings in Co Cork to receive a BER, 20% received an A or AO.

The highest proportions of G-rated dwellings were in Roscommon (11%) and Leitrim (11%). 

Nationally, of the 1.37m BERs to receive a rating, 419,257 are C rated.

“In May 2026 a new BER rating system was introduced. The highest rating is now A0, for Zero Emission Buildings, which are both energy efficient and have no fossil fuel emissions,” said Kevin Hunt from the CSO.

Since 2009, a BER cert is compulsory for homes for sale or rent. The cert is also required to avail of grants for energy-efficiency improvements under the Better Energy Homes scheme.

Over 99% of BER-audited dwellings built since 2020 have received a rating of A or A0.