The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by candidates evaluating options and making recommendations on ways of enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

identify options for improving the thermal performance of buildings using knowledge of passive building design principles and the thermal performance of buildings and materials

apply accredited NatHERS software tools to model the impact of different options for improving the thermal performance of buildings

establish and apply evaluative criteria for assessing options and making recommendations for improving the thermal performance of buildings

explain recommendations for improving thermal performance of buildings to clients

provide clients with reliable information and details of additional sources of information on options for improving thermal performance of buildings

provide clients with reliable information on potential impact on other health, safety, amenity and sustainability aspects of the dwelling or building.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit:

must be in the context of the work environment

may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

must meet relevant compliance requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

NatHERS software tools

relevant codes, standards and government regulations

building plans and specifications for residential buildings to be assessed

computer equipment suitable for using NatHERS software tools

technical reference library with current publications on passive building design, thermal performance of building materials, building thermal performance, NatHERS, and manufacturer product information on building products and materials.

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods:

written and/or oral assessment

observed, documented and/or first-hand testimonial evidence of the candidate evaluating options and making recommendations on ways of enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Required skills

communication skills to interact with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds in an ethical manner

decision-making and problem-solving skills to make recommendations for improving thermal performance based on the outputs of NatHERS software tools and other evaluative criteria

learning skills to maintain currency of own knowledge of options for enhancing thermal performance of residential buildings

literacy skills to read and interpret a variety of texts, including legislation, regulations, and conduct and ethical standards

numeracy and data analysis skills to interpret and extract outputs of NatHERS software tools data associated with conducting thermal performance assessments, such as U-value, R-value, reflectivity, absorptance and emissivity

research skills to identify and locate documents and information on the thermal properties of building materials

technology skills to:

operate computer equipment and peripherals

enter data and use the functions of NatHERS software tools

time-management skills to provide advice in a timely, cost-efficient manner

Required knowledge

building materials:

constraints on choice of building materials:

cost

practicality

size

space

thermal performance properties of common building materials

building thermal performance:

benefits of thermal performance assessment

energy loads, heating and cooling loads, and latent heat

impact of building materials on building thermal performance

impact of building and materials condition on building thermal performance

impact of building design on building thermal performance

relationship between building thermal performance and thermal comfort

thermal comfort:

definition of thermal comfort

physical factors that influence thermal comfort

requirement for thermal comfort

role of thermal comfort in building thermal performance assessments

thermal performance principles:

glazing, shading and insulation for controlling temperature

orientation for heating

thermal mass for storing

ventilation for cooling

thermal performance standards:

current standards

documentation

legal requirements

uses

ways of improving the thermal performance of planned residential buildings:

construction materials

draught proofing

floor coverings

glazing

insulation levels

landscaping and planting

orientation

overshadowing

passive heating and cooling

shade

structural changes

thermal mass

ventilation

window coverings

window size, location and type

zoning and layout

commonwealth, state and territory, and local government legislation and regulations impacting on thermal performance assessment relating to:

building and construction

building thermal performance

consumer protection, fair trading and trade practices

energy conservation

environment protection

occupational licensing

work health and safety

NatHERS software tools:

assumptions inherent in NatHERS software protocol

criteria for the selection of particular NatHERS software tools

NatHERS and Australian Building Codes Board Protocol for House Energy Rating software

properties of materials, such as heat transfer coefficients and U-value, thermal resistance and R-value, reflectivity, absorptance, solar heat gain coefficient and emissivity

passive building design principles

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Options for improving thermal performance may include changes to:

construction materials

glazing

insulation levels

landscaping and planting

orientation

passive heating and cooling

sealing the building envelope

shading

thermal mass

ventilation

weather stripping

window:

location

size

style

type of glazing

zoning and layout.

Criteria may include:

client requirements

compliance of option with legislative and regulatory requirements

cost of option

impact of option on thermal performance or rating of building

potential impact of option on other aspects of a dwelling’s thermal performance

practicality of option

time required to implement option.

Client may include:

architect

builder

building owner

construction manager

government agency

property developer.

Effective communication strategies may include:

active listening

being non-judgemental

exploring problems

expressing an individual perspective

providing sufficient time for questions and responses

providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations

using appropriate words, behaviour and posture

using clarifying and summarising questions

using clear and concise language

using culturally appropriate communication

using plain English

using verbal and non-verbal communication.

Sources of information may include:

brochures, fact sheets and websites of:

government energy efficiency agencies

industry associations

industry regulators

energy efficiency agencies

journal articles

product and service suppliers and manufacturers

research centres

technical experts

technical reports.