Ireland's first online Building Energy Rating marketplace was officially launched yesterday.

The site has promised to save Irish homeowners money, by providing a secure bidding arena for BER assessors to compete for business.

BerCert.com will create competition in the market and allow Homeowners and Estate Agents nationwide to make online requests for quotes from over 300 SEI registered BER assessors.

The service is free for homeowners and aims ensure they find the most competitive price for their BER assessment.

New legislation came into effect January, making it compulsory for all property owners seeking to sell or rent their property to have a BER Certificate prior to selling or to letting.

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The website launch co-incides with the €50m government Home Energy Savings Scheme, launched earlier this week by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan.

The scheme will provide a €200 grant for BER Assessments, completed Before and After Home Energy Saving works are completed.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme, which also provides grants for insulating homes, could also save householders hundreds of euro a year, Mr Ryan said.

"It's a win win situation for both homeowners and BER assessors," said Gerard Brady, co-founder of BerCert.com.

"The service provides the consumer with choice and easy access to fair and competitive pricing on BER assessments. It saves homeowners the laborious task of having to trawl various Internet sites and phone directories to locate assessors and check their credentials - we provide all the information for them at the touch of a button.

"For BER assessors, the service provides direct access to clients requiring BER certificates and the opportunity to bid for work," added Mr Brady.

(PR/JM)