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.

Plan and organise the assessment of household energy use.

1.1.

Need for assessment of household energy use is clarified with client.

1.2.

Effective communication strategies are used to assist in establishing rapport with client and in responding to client questions and concerns.

1.3.

Potential hazards are identified to ensure risks are suitably managed.

1.4.

Assessment is planned ensuring that health and safety of self and others are not compromised.

1.5.

Assessment documentation is prepared.

1.6.

Tools, equipment and other requirements for the assessment are identified and arrangements are made to ensure their availability on day of assessment.

1.7.

Owner or occupier status of client is determined.

1.8.

Client is advised of information required prior to assessment, and details of assessment are confirmed.

1.9.

Authority to proceed is obtained from client before commencing assessment, and reconfirmed as appropriate during the assessment.

2.

Gather data on household energy use and costs.

2.1.

Information to be gathered on household energy use and costs is confirmed.

2.2.

Information on household energy use and costs is gathered from resident, and from measurements and observations made during inspection of residence.

2.3.

Information on behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use is gathered from resident, and from observations made during inspection of residence.

2.4.

Information is verified for accuracy and recorded using a relevant data collection tool.

3.

Analyse data on household energy use, costs and emissions.

3.1.

Information is analysed to identify key characteristics of household energy use, costs and emissions.

3.2.

Government rebates and other assistance programs relating to improving efficiency of household energy use are identified.

3.3.

Options for improving efficiency of energy use and reducing costs and emissions are evaluated.

3.4.

Cost of options for improving household energy efficiency is estimated.

3.5.

Estimated energy, emissions and cost savings generated from improving household energy efficiency are estimated.

4.

Assess feasibility of using residence for energy production.

4.1.

Sources of technical advice on using residential property for energy production are identified.

4.2.

Advantages and disadvantages of using residential property for energy production are identified.

4.3.

Energy production technologies suitable for use in residential property are identified.

4.4.

Government rebates and other assistance programs for incorporating energy production technologies into residential buildings are identified.

4.5.

Cost-benefit of using residence for energy production is assessed.

4.6.

Estimates of cost of installing energy production technologies are produced and associated impact on household energy costs and emissions is determined.

5.

Report outcomes of energy use assessment.

5.1.

Results and recommendations, along with supporting evidence, are collated and documented.

5.2.

Estimated cost of proposed recommendations, associated reductions in household energy costs and emissions, and improvements in household energy efficiency are calculated.

5.3.

Results and recommendations, including estimated costs and improvements in household energy efficiency, are explained to client.

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Performance feature

Learning skills to:

maintain up-to-date knowledge of options for improving efficiency of energy use and reducing costs and emissions in residential buildings.

Numeracy skills to:

extract and interpret data from gas and electricity accounts

interpret energy plans and tariff structures

identify and interpret numerical data from gas and electricity meters and the outputs of energy measuring tools.

Oral communication skills to:

ask questions to clarify customer requirements.

Reading skills to:

identify and interpret documents, reports and information on key matters associated with household energy use, such as:

energy rating of appliances

power consumption of appliances

residential greenhouse emissions.

Technology skills to:

enter data and use the functions of energy use calculators and general purpose software packages

use energy measuring tools.

Writing skills to:

complete standard forms

prepare routine reports on household energy use.

Self-management skills to:

interact with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds.

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.

Need for assessment of household energy use must include at least one of the following:

determining energy profile, identifying opportunities for reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency

legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes

providing building design advice.

Household energy use and costs must include:

water heating system

space heating and cooling

household lighting

household appliances.

Information on behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use must include at least three of the following:

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

use of lighting.

Data collection tool must include at least two of the following:

checklist and form

calculator

graph

questionnaire

software program.