Assessor Resource

CPPHSA4019
Inform clients about thermal performance of residential buildings

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to explain to clients the principles of residential building thermal performance. This includes explaining the process of heat transfer in residential buildings; the factors that impact on thermal comfort; how climatic conditions, building design and materials influence the thermal performance of residential buildings; and the principles of passive design.

The unit supports the work of Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessors engaged in providing information on residential buildings’ thermal performance.

In some jurisdictions, this unit of competency may form part of the accreditation, licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements for NatHERS assessors.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Explain the impact of building thermal performance on domestic energy use to clients.

1.1.

Building thermal performance is explained to clients.

1.2.

Impact of building design and materials on thermal performance of building is identified and communicated to clients.

1.3.

Relationship between building thermal performance, heating and cooling, and energy consumption is explained to clients.

1.4.

Main uses of energy in buildings and the proportion attributed to heating and cooling are explained to clients.

1.5.

Correct industry terminology for energy use is applied when communicating with clients.

1.6.

Correct units of measurement are applied when describing power and energy.

1.7.

Environmental and social impacts of energy use are explained to clients.

2.

Explain the process of heat transfer in residential buildings to clients.

2.1.

Heat transfer is explained to clients.

2.2.

Meanings of key terms used to describe heat transfer are explained to clients.

2.3.

Ways in which residential buildings lose and gain heat are explained to clients.

3.

Explain factors that impact on thermal comfort to clients.

3.1.

Thermal comfort and its use in building thermal performance assessments are explained to clients.

3.2.

Physical factors that influence thermal comfort are explained to clients.

3.3

Requirements for thermal comfort are established based on occupant needs and are explained to clients.

4.

Explain how climatic conditions influence residential building thermal performance to clients.

4.1.

Major Australian climatic zones are identified and their key characteristics relevant to thermal performance assessments explained.

4.2.

Types and uses of climate data used in carrying out thermal performance assessments are explained to clients.

4.3.

Impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance is explained to clients.

4.4.

Ways of improving thermal performance appropriate to the relevant climatic zone are explained to clients.

5.

Explain the role of passive design in improving thermal performance to clients.

5.1.

Principles of passive design are explained to clients.

5.2.

Application of principles of passive design to planned and existing residential buildings is explained to clients.

5.3.

Factors that diminish the thermal performance of buildings are explained to clients.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.

The person must also competently explain the principles of residential building thermal performance to two different clients.

In doing the above, the person must:

use correct terminology

explain the process of heat transfer in residential buildings, including the ways in which residential buildings lose and gain heat

explain the factors that impact on thermal comfort

explain how climatic conditions influence thermal performance of residential buildings, including the ways of improving thermal performance appropriate to particular climatic zones

explain the principles of passive design, their application in planned and existing residences, and the factors that diminish thermal performance.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:

Australian climatic zones:

characteristics of climatic zones

climate data used in thermal performance assessment:

diurnal temperature range

humidity

irradiance

maximum and minimum temperature

solar geometry

wind speed and direction

impact of climate on thermal performance of residential buildings

environmental and social impacts of energy use:

climate change

energy cost

energy security

global warming

greenhouse gas emissions:

operational costs

resource depletion

heat transfer in residential buildings:

impact on heating and cooling

mechanisms:

evaporation

radiation

convection

conduction

modelling

U and R-values of building materials

R-values of wall constructions

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) scheme:

assessors

key features

NatHERS software tools:

accreditation

building and external elements included in a NatHERS thermal performance assessment

features and types of software tools

function

protocol

scope

objectives

passive building design principles:

building envelope

construction materials

construction methods

glazing

house plan ratio

insulation

orientation

thermal mass

ventilation

zoning

sources of information on climate

thermal comfort:

definition of thermal comfort

role of thermal comfort in building thermal performance assessments

influences on thermal comfort:

air movement

humidity

radiation

temperature

models of thermal comfort

requirements for thermal comfort

thermal sensitivity of individuals

thermal performance:

factors that diminish and enhance the thermal performance of buildings

impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance principles

relationship between building thermal performance, heating and cooling and energy consumption.

The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:

equipment:

computer equipment suitable for accessing online information on thermal performance of residential buildings

materials:

clients who require information on thermal performance of residential buildings

relevant codes, standards and government regulations

technical reference library with current publications on:

passive building design

thermal performance of building materials

building thermal performance

NatHERS

manufacturer product information on building products and materials

relationships with team members and supervisor:

assessment activities are performed on an individual basis under general supervision.

Assessor requirements

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Explain the impact of building thermal performance on domestic energy use to clients.

1.1.

Building thermal performance is explained to clients.

1.2.

Impact of building design and materials on thermal performance of building is identified and communicated to clients.

1.3.

Relationship between building thermal performance, heating and cooling, and energy consumption is explained to clients.

1.4.

Main uses of energy in buildings and the proportion attributed to heating and cooling are explained to clients.

1.5.

Correct industry terminology for energy use is applied when communicating with clients.

1.6.

Correct units of measurement are applied when describing power and energy.

1.7.

Environmental and social impacts of energy use are explained to clients.

2.

Explain the process of heat transfer in residential buildings to clients.

2.1.

Heat transfer is explained to clients.

2.2.

Meanings of key terms used to describe heat transfer are explained to clients.

2.3.

Ways in which residential buildings lose and gain heat are explained to clients.

3.

Explain factors that impact on thermal comfort to clients.

3.1.

Thermal comfort and its use in building thermal performance assessments are explained to clients.

3.2.

Physical factors that influence thermal comfort are explained to clients.

3.3

Requirements for thermal comfort are established based on occupant needs and are explained to clients.

4.

Explain how climatic conditions influence residential building thermal performance to clients.

4.1.

Major Australian climatic zones are identified and their key characteristics relevant to thermal performance assessments explained.

4.2.

Types and uses of climate data used in carrying out thermal performance assessments are explained to clients.

4.3.

Impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance is explained to clients.

4.4.

Ways of improving thermal performance appropriate to the relevant climatic zone are explained to clients.

5.

Explain the role of passive design in improving thermal performance to clients.

5.1.

Principles of passive design are explained to clients.

5.2.

Application of principles of passive design to planned and existing residential buildings is explained to clients.

5.3.

Factors that diminish the thermal performance of buildings are explained to clients.

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Environmental and social impacts must include at least three of the following:

climate change

energy cost

energy security

greenhouse gas emissions

operational costs

resource depletion.

Key terms must include:

conduction

convection

radiation.

Physical factorsmust include:

air movement

humidity

radiation

temperature.

Principles of passive design must include:

building envelope

construction materials

construction methods

glazing

house plan ratio

insulation

orientation

thermal mass

ventilation

zoning.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.

The person must also competently explain the principles of residential building thermal performance to two different clients.

In doing the above, the person must:

use correct terminology

explain the process of heat transfer in residential buildings, including the ways in which residential buildings lose and gain heat

explain the factors that impact on thermal comfort

explain how climatic conditions influence thermal performance of residential buildings, including the ways of improving thermal performance appropriate to particular climatic zones

explain the principles of passive design, their application in planned and existing residences, and the factors that diminish thermal performance.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:

Australian climatic zones:

characteristics of climatic zones

climate data used in thermal performance assessment:

diurnal temperature range

humidity

irradiance

maximum and minimum temperature

solar geometry

wind speed and direction

impact of climate on thermal performance of residential buildings

environmental and social impacts of energy use:

climate change

energy cost

energy security

global warming

greenhouse gas emissions:

operational costs

resource depletion

heat transfer in residential buildings:

impact on heating and cooling

mechanisms:

evaporation

radiation

convection

conduction

modelling

U and R-values of building materials

R-values of wall constructions

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) scheme:

assessors

key features

NatHERS software tools:

accreditation

building and external elements included in a NatHERS thermal performance assessment

features and types of software tools

function

protocol

scope

objectives

passive building design principles:

building envelope

construction materials

construction methods

glazing

house plan ratio

insulation

orientation

thermal mass

ventilation

zoning

sources of information on climate

thermal comfort:

definition of thermal comfort

role of thermal comfort in building thermal performance assessments

influences on thermal comfort:

air movement

humidity

radiation

temperature

models of thermal comfort

requirements for thermal comfort

thermal sensitivity of individuals

thermal performance:

factors that diminish and enhance the thermal performance of buildings

impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance principles

relationship between building thermal performance, heating and cooling and energy consumption.

The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:

equipment:

computer equipment suitable for accessing online information on thermal performance of residential buildings

materials:

clients who require information on thermal performance of residential buildings

relevant codes, standards and government regulations

technical reference library with current publications on:

passive building design

thermal performance of building materials

building thermal performance

NatHERS

manufacturer product information on building products and materials

relationships with team members and supervisor:

assessment activities are performed on an individual basis under general supervision.

Assessor requirements

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Building thermal performance is explained to clients. 
Impact of building design and materials on thermal performance of building is identified and communicated to clients. 
Relationship between building thermal performance, heating and cooling, and energy consumption is explained to clients. 
Main uses of energy in buildings and the proportion attributed to heating and cooling are explained to clients. 
Correct industry terminology for energy use is applied when communicating with clients. 
Correct units of measurement are applied when describing power and energy. 
Environmental and social impacts of energy use are explained to clients. 
Heat transfer is explained to clients. 
Meanings of key terms used to describe heat transfer are explained to clients. 
Ways in which residential buildings lose and gain heat are explained to clients. 
Thermal comfort and its use in building thermal performance assessments are explained to clients. 
Physical factors that influence thermal comfort are explained to clients. 
Requirements for thermal comfort are established based on occupant needs and are explained to clients. 
Major Australian climatic zones are identified and their key characteristics relevant to thermal performance assessments explained. 
Types and uses of climate data used in carrying out thermal performance assessments are explained to clients. 
Impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance is explained to clients. 
Ways of improving thermal performance appropriate to the relevant climatic zone are explained to clients. 
Principles of passive design are explained to clients. 
Application of principles of passive design to planned and existing residential buildings is explained to clients. 
Factors that diminish the thermal performance of buildings are explained to clients. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CPPHSA4019 - Inform clients about thermal performance of residential buildings
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

CPPHSA4019 - Inform clients about thermal performance of residential buildings

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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