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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Assess options for improving thermal performance of building.
   • Outcomes of NatHERS assessment are interpreted to identify strengths and weaknesses in thermal performance of building.
   • Options for improving thermal performance are identified taking into account user preferences, passive building design principles, and the thermal properties of the building and materials.
   • NatHERS software tool is applied to model the impact of the options on the thermal performance of the building.
   • Criteria for evaluating options are established.
   • Options for improving thermal performance are assessed against evaluative criteria.
2. Provide information to client on options for improving thermal performance.
   • Accurate information on options for enhancing thermal performance of building, including their benefits and limitations, is presented to client.
   • Evidence of impact of options on thermal performance of building is provided and explained to client.
   • Effective communication strategies are used to explain to client recommended option for improving thermal performance.
   • Potential impact of thermal performance measures on other aspects of the building are identified and communicated to client.
   • Opportunities are provided for client to confirm understanding and seek clarification about options for enhancing thermal performance.
   • Advice on additional sources of information on options for improving thermal performance is provided to client.

Range Statement

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.
Options for improving thermal performancemust include at least ten of the following:	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 building layout and zoning.
Criteria must include at least three of the following:	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.

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Performance Evidence

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 evaluate options and make recommendations on ways of enhancing the thermal performance of two different residential buildings.

In doing the above, the person must:

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

apply one or more accredited Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (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.

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Knowledge Evidence

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

building materials:

constraints on choice of building materials:

availability

compliance with codes, standards and legislation

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 and trade practices

energy conservation

environment protection

occupational licensing

work health and safety (WHS)

NatHERS software tools:

assumptions inherent in NatHERS software protocol

criteria for the selection of particular NatHERS software tools

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.

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