Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to collect information on the costs of measures required to improve the thermal performance of planned and existing residential buildings which may be identified through a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessment. It includes confirming required measures for improving thermal performance, gathering information on costs of measures, and analysing those costs.
The unit supports the work of NatHERS assessors engaged in costing measures to improve 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. | Confirm potential measures for improving thermal performance. | 1.1. | Measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings are identified. |
1.2. | Details of potential measures for enhancing thermal performance of building are identified and confirmed with client. | ||
2. | Gather information on cost of measures to improve thermal performance. | 2.1. | Information on cost of measures to improve thermal performance is researched. |
2.2. | Information on rebates and other forms of assistance for particular measures to improve thermal performance is researched and obtained. | ||
2.3. | Information on availability, suitability and likely supply time of products and services, where applicable, is obtained. | ||
2.4. | Factors that may influence cost of measures to improve thermal performance are identified and documented. | ||
2.5. | Information on cost of measures to improve thermal performance is collated and documented. | ||
2.6. | Ethical practices are observed in identifying and gathering product and service information. | ||
2.7. | Details of information obtained on products and services are maintained and securely stored. | ||
3. | Analyse cost of measures to improve thermal performance. | 3.1. | Information on costs of measures to improve thermal performance of building is collated and analysed. |
3.2. | Indicative costs of measures to improve thermal performance are determined. | ||
3.3 | Limitations of cost information are identified. | ||
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 determine the cost of measures for improving the thermal performance of two different residential buildings based on the outcomes of a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessment.
In doing the above, the person must:
identify potential measures for improving the thermal performance of residential buildings
gather information on costs of measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings
analyse costs of measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings
identify limitations of cost information.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
factors involved in providing cost measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings:
ethical practices in identifying suppliers and product and service information
product and service knowledge:
benefits and limitations of products and services
inclusions and exclusions in products and services
rebates and other forms of assistance for products and services that enhance thermal performance of residential buildings
specifications
measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings that consider:
construction materials
draught proofing
floor coverings
glazing
insulation levels
landscaping and planting
orientation
passive cooling
passive design
passive solar heating
shade
structural changes
thermal mass
ventilation
window coverings
window size, location and type
zoning and layout
relevant commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to:
building and construction
consumer protection and trade practices
energy conservation
work health and safety (WHS)
sources of information on products and services to improve thermal performance of residential buildings.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
computer equipment suitable for producing reports for clients
materials:
building documentation for residential buildings to be assessed
outcomes of a NatHERS assessment of residential building for which thermal performance improvement measures are to be costed
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
technical reference library with current publications on energy efficient materials, products and services
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 the cost of options for enhancing thermal performance of residential buildings. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate and interpret cost data on measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings assess relative costs of products and services. |
Reading skills to: | identify and interpret documents and extract information on the costs and features of measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings read and interpret a variety of texts, including product descriptions analyse comparative charts of specifications for products designed to improve thermal performance of residential buildings. |
Technology skills to: | search online catalogues and product specifications. |
Writing skills to: | provide written advice to clients on the cost of 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. | |
Measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings must include at least three of the following: | construction materials draught proofing floor coverings glazing insulation levels landscaping and planting orientation passive cooling passive design passive solar heating shading skylights structural changes thermal mass ventilation windows: coverings size type building zoning and layout. |
Factors that may influence cost | availability building design building siting building type changes in product and service specifications changes in professional fees condition of building date of order or purchase delays in supply foreign exchange movements guarantees insurance labour costs product changes and upgrades service changes and upgrades source of supply taxes and charges transport and handling costs. |
Sectors
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