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| 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. |
Need for assessing energy use may include assessment for: | determining energy profile, identifying opportunities for reducing energy use and improving energy efficiencylegislative, regulatory and compliance purposesproviding building design advice. |
Residential building refers to: | any building categorised as Class 1, 2, 4 and 10a of the Building Code of Australia or in accordance with jurisdictional requirements. |
Client may include: | buildercommunity organisationconstruction managergovernment agencyhouse ownerlandlordproperty developerproperty managerreal estate agenttenant. |
Effective communication strategies may include: | active listeningbeing non-judgementalexploring problems expressing an individual perspective providing sufficient time for questions and responsesproviding summarising and reflective responses in conflict situationsusing appropriate words, behaviour and postureusing clarifying, summarising questions using clear and concise languageusing culturally appropriate communicationusing plain Englishusing verbal and non-verbal communication. |
Commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations, and industry ethical and conduct standards may include: | energy and energy managementenergy use assessment:accreditationassessment procedurescertificationdocumentationenvironment protectionethical behaviourfair trading and consumer protection:confidentialityconflict of interestduty of carenon-discriminatory practicesprivacyresidential tenanciesmandatory disclosureOHSretailer obligation schemeswhite certificate schemes. |
Issues may include: | basis for the need to conduct energy assessment information required by assessor from clientinformation that assessor is required to documentobjectives of assessment. |
Hazards may include: | appliances:electrocutionfaultybiological wasteconfined spaces electricityharassment, bullying and/or violence involving co-workers or customershazardous substances:asbestoschemicalsfibresfumesinsulationheat:burnsscaldslighting:bulbselectrocutionmanual handling:carryingliftingpullingpushingmachinery, including powered and non-powered equipmentskin penetrating injuries:knivessharpssyringeswork environment:accessanimalsdustfloor surfaceslightingnoisesmokingtemperature extremesworking aloneworking at heightsventilation. |
Assessment documentation may include: | assessor name and contact detailsbuilding detailsbuilding plans and specificationschecklistsclient detailscompany promotional materialsexisting energy billsenergy utility charges, rebates and programs for encouraging energy efficiencyphotographic evidencerisk assessmentsite details. |
Tools, equipment and other requirements may include: | calculatorclipboardcompassdigital cameraenergy monitoring equipment:electricity metersgas meterspower metersincense sticks to observe air flow and draughtsinfra-red thermometerladderlux meter personal protective equipment (PPE):dust maskseye protectionglovesheadwearoverallssafety shoes and work bootspower meterstopwatchtape measurethermometertorch. |
Information that should be obtained prior to assessment may include: | appliances:agecapacitynumbertypeenergy accounts:billing historyelectricitygassolid fuelhousehold members:numberageinsulation. |
Details of assessment may include: | address of residenceassessor name and contact detailscost of assessmentdate and time of assessmentduration of assessmentname of householder. |
Information may include: | energy costsenergy use and behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy useheating and coolinginternal and external applianceslightingwater heating systemwater pump. |
Information on household energy use and costs may be gathered through: | analysis of gas and electricity meter readings:conventional metersinstant energy display unitssmart metersanalysis of accounts to show current, seasonal and trend data on use and cost of:electricitygas:LPGnaturalsolid fuel:coalcokedieseloilwoodanalysis of costs of different energy plans and tariffstariffs:peakoff peaksolar power and metering. |
Information on household water heatingsystem may include: | features of water heating system:agecapacityconditionenergy useenergy ratinginsulation:hot and cold water pipestanklocationstandby lossesstar rating (if gas)suitability for size of householdthermostat settingstype and number of showerheadsuse of solar thermal hot water heaterstype of water heating system:electric instantelectric storageelectric heat pump gas storagegas instantsolar. |
Information on household space heating and cooling may include: | ceiling fans:ability to reverseagetypeplacementdraughts and air leaks:causes:doorsexhaust fansgaps around plumbing pipesgaps around power points and light switchesgaps between floorboardsrecessed light fittings wall-mounted air conditionerswindowstests:blower door testsincensetealightsductworkheating and cooling zonesheating and cooling appliances:ageconditionenergy ratingenergy usemaintenance costs of systemnoise levelnumberplacement of external unit (for cooling appliances only)suitability for space being heated or cooledthermostat settingtypeinsulation:floor, roof and wallsratingtypenatural ventilationoutdoor living spaces:fansoutdoor heatersshade devicessources of heating and cooling. |
Information on household lighting may include: | lights and lamps:colourdimmerslux levelsnumberpositionshadows cast by existing lights and lampstotal wattage of lighting:each globeeach roomwhole housetype of globestype of light fittingstype of lighting:recessedsurface mountedventing of downlightslighting sensors and timers:movementtimednatural lightingsolar lightinguse of lighting:general lightingrequired lightingsafety and security lightingtask lighting. |
Information on household appliances may include: | types of appliances:cooking appliancesentertainment equipmentinformation technology equipmentwhitegoods:clothes dryersclothes washerscombination washer/dryersdishwashersfreezersmicrowavesportable heaters and air conditioning unitsrefrigeratorsother equipment:fish tanks gymnasium equipmentlarge electric appliances, such as stoves, ovens, rangehoods, and portable heaters and air conditioning unitsmedical equipmentsmall household electric appliances, such as electric kettles, irons and towel warmersspasswimming poolswaste disposal unitswater bedsfeatures of appliances:age, position and number of appliancesaverage daily use of appliancescondition of appliances:dust on coilsseals on refrigerators, freezers and ovensenergy and water saving featuresenergy rating, type and usesize of appliances:appropriateness for size of householdkWh usedMj usedstandby energy usemaintenance of appliancesventilation and microclimate. |
Information onbehaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use may relate to: | levels of illuminationmedical conditions of household members that may impact on:hot water, heating, cooling, lighting and appliance requirementscapacity to manipulate controlssetting and programming thermostatsthermal comfortuse of appliancesuse of hot water. |
Data collection tools may include: | checklists and formsenergy use calculatorsgraphsquestionnairesself-assessment formssoftware programs. |
Characteristics of household energy use, costs and emissions may include: | comparison of energy use and costs with similar householdscomponents of energy use:appliancescookingheating and coolinglightingwater heating systemsoccupant behaviourseasonal variation in energy use and coststotal consumption and costtrends in consumption and cost over time. |
Options for improving efficiency of energy use and reducing costs and emissions may include: | appliances:check size of appliances relative to household requirements, as appropriateconsider necessity of having multiple applianceslimit use of standby power by switching off appliances when not in usemaintain appliancesreplace appliances with energy efficient onesreset thermostats, where applicableselect correct location for appliancesventilationbehaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy useheating and cooling:heat distribution systems:leaky or broken ductspoorly insulated ductscross-flow ventilationdraught proofingglazingefficiency of central heating systems, for example, through clip-on air divertersenergy efficient space heating and coolinginsulationpassive coolingsetting of thermostatsuse of fanswindow and floor coveringszoning of heating and cooling system and exclusion of wet areaslighting:increase solar lightinginstall energy efficient systemsreplace light bulbs with energy efficient bulbsuse different lighting levels for background and task lightinguse light colours in rooms for walls and furnishingsuse sensors and timersuse separate switching and two-way switchingwater heating system:install showerheads with water efficiency and labelling standards (WELS) ratinginstall water saving aerators on taps and in tap flow regulatorsinstall energy efficient water heating systeminsulate hot water tanks and pipesmaintain and repair leaking taps and pipesreset thermostat down to 60oC. |
Evaluations take into account: | availability of rebates and other assistance programsbehaviour and preferences of householderscostownership of buildingpracticalitytype of building. |
Sources of technical advice on using residential property for energy production may include: | accreditation agenciesarchitectsbuilding designerscolleaguesconsultantsenergy use and management advisory servicesgovernment agenciesprofessional associationsresearch bodiessupervisorssuppliers of residential energy production technologiesutility companies. |
Advantages and disadvantages of using residential property for energy production may include: | advantages:higher resale value isolation for building owners from future energy price increases pre-empt future legislative restrictions or penalties, which may force expensive retrofits to energy inefficient buildingsreduce requirement for energy austerity reduce total net monthly cost of living tariff benefitsvalue of building relative to similar conventional buildings as energy costs increase over timedisadvantages:effort required to understand, apply and qualify for subsidies initial costlength of paybackovercapitalising on older buildingspossible declines in future renewable energy costs may lessen the value of capital invested in energy efficiency. |
Energy production technologies suitable for use in residential property may include: | features of systems:age and condition of systemappropriateness of size of system for size of householdaverage daily energy productionmaintenance costs of systemnumber of panels or turbinespositioning of system:microclimateshadingwind turbulencetypes of systems:mini geothermal systemsmini hydro power systemsphotovoltaic power systemswind power systems. |
Assessment of feasibility is based on: | climatecostlocationorientationownership of buildingpracticalitytypeuser behaviour and preferences. |