Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to assess options for enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings. It includes identifying options for improving thermal performance, and making recommendations to clients.
The unit supports the work of Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessors engaged in advising on the options for enhancing building thermal performance.
In some jurisdictions, this unit of competency may form part of the accreditation, licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements for NatHERS assessors.
Elements and Performance Criteria
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. | Assess options for improving thermal performance of building. | 1.1. | Outcomes of NatHERS assessment are interpreted to identify strengths and weaknesses in thermal performance of building. |
1.2. | 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. | ||
1.3. | NatHERS software tool is applied to model the impact of the options on the thermal performance of the building. | ||
1.4. | Criteria for evaluating options are established. | ||
1.5. | Options for improving thermal performance are assessed against evaluative criteria. | ||
2. | Provide information to client on options for improving thermal performance. | 2.1. | Accurate information on options for enhancing thermal performance of building, including their benefits and limitations, is presented to client. |
2.2. | Evidence of impact of options on thermal performance of building is provided and explained to client. | ||
2.3. | Effective communication strategies are used to explain to client recommended option for improving thermal performance. | ||
2.4. | Potential impact of thermal performance measures on other aspects of the building are identified and communicated to client. | ||
2.5. | Opportunities are provided for client to confirm understanding and seek clarification about options for enhancing thermal performance. | ||
2.6. | Advice on additional sources of information on options for improving thermal performance is provided to client. |
Evidence of Performance
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.
Evidence of Knowledge
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.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
NatHERS software tool
computer equipment suitable for running NatHERS software tools
materials:
building plans and specifications for residential buildings to be assessed
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 and 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.
Foundation Skills
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 currency of own knowledge of options for enhancing thermal performance of residential buildings. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret and extract outputs of NatHERS software tools data associated with conducting thermal performance assessments, such as U-value, R-value, reflectivity, absorptance and emissivity. |
Oral communication skills to: | sequence at times complex technical information to ensure client understanding of options. |
Reading skills to: | identify and interpret documents and extract information on the thermal properties of building materials. |
Technology skills to: | operate computer equipment and peripherals enter data and use the functions of a NatHERS software tool. |
Writing skills to: | provide written advice to clients on the options for enhancing thermal performance of buildings. |
Self-management skills to: | interact with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds. |
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 performance | 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. |
Sectors
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