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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 efficiency legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes providing 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: | builder community organisation construction manager government agency house owner landlord property developer property manager real estate agent tenant. |
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, summarising questions using clear and concise language using culturally appropriate communication using plain English using 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 management energy use assessment: accreditation assessment procedures certification documentation environment protection ethical behaviour fair trading and consumer protection: confidentiality conflict of interest duty of care non-discriminatory practices privacy residential tenancies mandatory disclosure OHS retailer obligation schemes white certificate schemes. |
Issues may include: | basis for the need to conduct energy assessment information required by assessor from client information that assessor is required to document objectives of assessment. |
Hazards may include: | appliances: electrocution faulty biological waste confined spaces electricity harassment, bullying and/or violence involving co-workers or customers hazardous substances: asbestos chemicals fibres fumes insulation heat: burns scalds lighting: bulbs electrocution manual handling: carrying lifting pulling pushing machinery, including powered and non-powered equipment skin penetrating injuries: knives sharps syringes work environment: access animals dust floor surfaces lighting noise smoking temperature extremes working alone working at heights ventilation. |
Assessment documentation may include: | assessor name and contact details building details building plans and specifications checklists client details company promotional materials existing energy bills energy utility charges, rebates and programs for encouraging energy efficiency photographic evidence risk assessment site details. |
Tools, equipment and other requirements may include: | calculator clipboard compass digital camera energy monitoring equipment: electricity meters gas meters power meters incense sticks to observe air flow and draughts infra-red thermometer ladder lux meter personal protective equipment (PPE): dust masks eye protection gloves headwear overalls safety shoes and work boots power meter stopwatch tape measure thermometer torch. |
Information that should be obtained prior to assessment may include: | appliances: age capacity number type energy accounts: billing history electricity gas solid fuel household members: number age insulation. |
Details of assessment may include: | address of residence assessor name and contact details cost of assessment date and time of assessment duration of assessment name of householder. |
Information may include: | energy costs energy use and behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use heating and cooling internal and external appliances lighting water heating system water pump. |
Information on household energy use and costs may be gathered through: | analysis of gas and electricity meter readings: conventional meters instant energy display units smart meters analysis of accounts to show current, seasonal and trend data on use and cost of: electricity gas: LPG natural solid fuel: coal coke diesel oil wood analysis of costs of different energy plans and tariffs tariffs: peak off peak solar power and metering. |
Information on household water heatingsystem may include: | features of water heating system: age capacity condition energy use energy rating insulation: hot and cold water pipes tank location standby losses star rating (if gas) suitability for size of household thermostat settings type and number of showerheads use of solar thermal hot water heaters type of water heating system: electric instant electric storage electric heat pump gas storage gas instant solar. |
Information on household space heating and cooling may include: | ceiling fans: ability to reverse age type placement draughts and air leaks: causes: doors exhaust fans gaps around plumbing pipes gaps around power points and light switches gaps between floorboards recessed light fittings wall-mounted air conditioners windows tests: blower door tests incense tealights ductwork heating and cooling zones heating and cooling appliances: age condition energy rating energy use maintenance costs of system noise level number placement of external unit (for cooling appliances only) suitability for space being heated or cooled thermostat setting type insulation: floor, roof and walls rating type natural ventilation outdoor living spaces: fans outdoor heaters shade devices sources of heating and cooling. |
Information on household lighting may include: | lights and lamps: colour dimmers lux levels number position shadows cast by existing lights and lamps total wattage of lighting: each globe each room whole house type of globes type of light fittings type of lighting: recessed surface mounted venting of downlights lighting sensors and timers: movement timed natural lighting solar lighting use of lighting: general lighting required lighting safety and security lighting task lighting. |
Information on household appliances may include: | types of appliances: cooking appliances entertainment equipment information technology equipment whitegoods: clothes dryers clothes washers combination washer/dryers dishwashers freezers microwaves portable heaters and air conditioning units refrigerators other equipment: fish tanks gymnasium equipment large electric appliances, such as stoves, ovens, rangehoods, and portable heaters and air conditioning units medical equipment small household electric appliances, such as electric kettles, irons and towel warmers spas swimming pools waste disposal units water beds features of appliances: age, position and number of appliances average daily use of appliances condition of appliances: dust on coils seals on refrigerators, freezers and ovens energy and water saving features energy rating, type and use size of appliances: appropriateness for size of household kWh used Mj used standby energy use maintenance of appliances ventilation and microclimate. |
Information onbehaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use may relate to: | levels of illumination medical conditions of household members that may impact on: hot water, heating, cooling, lighting and appliance requirements capacity to manipulate controls setting and programming thermostats thermal comfort use of appliances use of hot water. |
Data collection tools may include: | checklists and forms energy use calculators graphs questionnaires self-assessment forms software programs. |
Characteristics of household energy use, costs and emissions may include: | comparison of energy use and costs with similar households components of energy use: appliances cooking heating and cooling lighting water heating systems occupant behaviour seasonal variation in energy use and costs total consumption and cost trends 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 appropriate consider necessity of having multiple appliances limit use of standby power by switching off appliances when not in use maintain appliances replace appliances with energy efficient ones reset thermostats, where applicable select correct location for appliances ventilation behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use heating and cooling: heat distribution systems: leaky or broken ducts poorly insulated ducts cross-flow ventilation draught proofing glazing efficiency of central heating systems, for example, through clip-on air diverters energy efficient space heating and cooling insulation passive cooling setting of thermostats use of fans window and floor coverings zoning of heating and cooling system and exclusion of wet areas lighting: increase solar lighting install energy efficient systems replace light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs use different lighting levels for background and task lighting use light colours in rooms for walls and furnishings use sensors and timers use separate switching and two-way switching water heating system: install showerheads with water efficiency and labelling standards (WELS) rating install water saving aerators on taps and in tap flow regulators install energy efficient water heating system insulate hot water tanks and pipes maintain and repair leaking taps and pipes reset thermostat down to 60oC. |
Evaluations take into account: | availability of rebates and other assistance programs behaviour and preferences of householders cost ownership of building practicality type of building. |
Sources of technical advice on using residential property for energy production may include: | accreditation agencies architects building designers colleagues consultants energy use and management advisory services government agencies professional associations research bodies supervisors suppliers of residential energy production technologies utility 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 buildings reduce requirement for energy austerity reduce total net monthly cost of living tariff benefits value of building relative to similar conventional buildings as energy costs increase over time disadvantages: effort required to understand, apply and qualify for subsidies initial cost length of payback overcapitalising on older buildings possible 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 system appropriateness of size of system for size of household average daily energy production maintenance costs of system number of panels or turbines positioning of system: microclimate shading wind turbulence types of systems: mini geothermal systems mini hydro power systems photovoltaic power systems wind power systems. |
Assessment of feasibility is based on: | climate cost location orientation ownership of building practicality type user behaviour and preferences. |