CPPHSA4017A - Cost measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings

CPPHSA4017A
Cost measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings

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.

Application

This unit of competency supports the work of NatHERS assessors engaged in assessing, and making recommendations for improving, the thermal performance of planned and existing residential buildings.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

1	Confirm potential measures for improving thermal performance.	1.1	Measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings are identified in line with organisational procedures.
		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 and obtained from appropriate sources.
		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 in line with organisational procedures.
		2.4	Factors that may influence cost of measures are identified and documented.
		2.5	Information on cost of measures 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 in line with organisational policy and procedures.
		3.2	Indicative costs of measures to improve thermal performance are determined in line with organisational procedures.
		3.3	Limitations of cost information are identified in line with organisational policy and procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to interpret documents, such as comparative charts of specifications for products designed to improve thermal performance of residential buildings

communication skills to interact with people from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds

decision-making and problem-solving skills to assess relative costs of products and services

literacy skills to read and interpret a variety of texts, including product descriptions

numeracy skills to calculate and interpret cost data on measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings

planning, organising and scheduling skills to undertake work-related tasks, such as obtaining information on products and services

research skills to identify and locate documents and information on the costs and features of measures to improve thermal performance of residential buildings

Required knowledge

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

overshadowing

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, fair trading and trade practices

energy conservation

work health and safety

sources of information on products and services to improve thermal performance of residential buildings

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment	This unit of competency could be assessed by candidates collecting and analysing information on the costs of measures for improving the thermal performance of a residential building based on the outcomes of a NatHERS assessment of potential options.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	A person should demonstrate the ability to: 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.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment of this unit: must be in the context of the work environment may be conducted in an off-site context, provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills must meet relevant compliance requirements. Resource implications for assessment include: computer equipment suitable for producing reports for clients technical reference library with current publications on energy efficiency materials, products and services.
Method of assessment	Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, using one or more of the following methods: written and/or oral assessment observed, documented and/or first-hand testimonial evidence of the candidate collecting and analysing information on the costs of measures for improving the thermal performance of a residential building based on the outcomes of a NatHERS assessment of potential options.
Guidance information for assessment	This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function. Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support. Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Range Statement

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.
Measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings may include changes to:	construction materials draught proofing floor coverings glazing insulation levels landscaping and planting orientation overshadowing passive cooling passive design passive solar heating shading skylights structural changes thermal mass ventilation windows: coverings size type zoning and layout.
Appropriate sources may include:	catalogues conferences government agencies industry associations industry publications: electronic print product and service suppliers professionals: architects building consultants building designers building thermal performance assessors engineers environmental consultants professional organisations published costing guides regulatory bodies technical experts trade exhibitions tradespeople utility companies.
Information on rebates and other forms of assistance may include:	amount of rebate or assistance application period application process eligibility criteria qualifying period type of assistance.
Factors that may influence cost may include:	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.
Limitations may include:	availability of products and services building condition building design building siting exclusions factors that may be subject to change: installation charges prices product and service back-up and support product and service features product and service performance rebates and other support programs specialist advice on products and services that may be required supply time for products and services fees, taxes and levies inclusions.

Sectors

Home sustainability assessment

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

In some jurisdictions, this unit of competency may form part of the accreditation, licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements for NatHERS assessors.