Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to use the regulatory and non-regulatory functions of a house energy rating software tool to assess the thermal performance and other energy-related features of residential buildings. It includes the competencies required to apply the full functions relating to thermal performance, including free running modes, and non-thermal performance functions that address factors, such as hot water, lighting, water use and embodied carbon dioxide.
The unit supports the work of Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) assessors engaged in assessing and making recommendations for improving, the thermal performance of residential buildings.
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. | Plan the assessment of residential building’s thermal performance and energy efficiency. | 1.1. | Need for assessment is clarified with client. |
1.2. | Effective communication strategies are used to assist in establishing rapport with the client and in responding to client questions and concerns. | ||
1.3. | Functions of software package to be used in assessment are identified. | ||
1.4. | Computer equipment required for the assessment is identified and checked for serviceability. | ||
1.5. | Potential risks are identified and suitably managed. | ||
2. | Gather building and other relevant information. | 2.1. | Building and appliance information is extracted from building drawings, specifications and other documents; outcomes of site inspections; and discussions with client and other building professionals. |
2.2. | Information required for assessment is gathered, checked for accuracy, and where necessary verified with software developer, regulatory authorities and other building professionals, as required. | ||
2.3. | Site inspection of existing building, if required, is planned to gather information for assessment. | ||
2.4. | Potential hazards associated with conducting a site inspection of an existing building are identified to ensure risks are suitably managed. | ||
2.5. | Tools, equipment and other requirements for site inspection are identified and arrangements are made to ensure their availability on day of inspection. | ||
2.6. | Information required from client is obtained before conducting site inspection. | ||
2.7. | Details of site inspection are agreed with client before conducting inspection. | ||
2.8. | Site inspection is conducted and information required for assessment is gathered. | ||
3. | Enter information into assessment tool. | 3.1. | Information on residential building is entered into the assessment tool. |
3.2. | Methods for entering information are used correctly. | ||
4. | Conduct residential sustainability assessment. | 4.1. | Appropriate functions of assessment tool are used to generate outputs in relation to the thermal performance and sustainability of the building. |
4.2. | Advanced features of software are used. | ||
4.3. | Assessment tool outputs are identified and analysed. | ||
4.4. | Errors in data entry and assessment are identified and corrected. | ||
5. | Identify options for improving residential sustainability. | 5.1. | Sources of technical advice on residential sustainability are identified. |
5.2. | Assumptions and limitations inherent in assessment tool are considered when interpreting outputs. | ||
5.3 | Assessment tool outputs are interpreted to identify strengths and weaknesses in the residential sustainability of building. | ||
5.4. | Government rebates and other assistance programs for improving residential sustainability are identified, as required. | ||
5.5. | Options for improving thermal performance and residential sustainability are identified by considering the outputs of the assessment and other criteria. | ||
5.6. | Impact of options is evaluated by modelling options using the assessment tool. | ||
5.7. | Costs of options for improving the residential sustainability of residence are estimated. | ||
6. | Report outcomes of thermal performance assessment. | 6.1. | Results and recommendations, along with supporting evidence, are collated and documented. |
6.2. | Estimated cost of proposed recommendations and potential associated reductions in energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions are documented. | ||
6.3. | Results and recommendations of the residential sustainability assessment are explained to the client. | ||
6.4. | Reports and other documentation associated with residential sustainability assessment are securely stored to be readily retrieved. |
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 use the regulatory and non-regulatory functions of a house energy rating software tool to assess the thermal performance and other energy-related features of one residential building. The assessment must be undertaken using a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) software tool accredited under NatHERS for regulatory purposes in a mode appropriate to the type of assessment.
In doing the above, the person must:
gather the required building information for assessment
correctly enter this information into a software tool with appropriate functions
identify and analyse the outputs of the assessment
make recommendations to improve the energy performance of residential building.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
Australian climatic zones:
climate data used in thermal performance assessment:
diurnal temperature range
humidity
irradiance
maximum and minimum temperature
solar geometry
wind speed and direction
climatic zones and characteristics
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
impact of building design on building thermal performance
impact of building materials on building thermal performance
relationship between building thermal performance and thermal comfort
thermal performance principles:
glazing, shading and insulation for controlling temperature
orientation for heating
thermal mass for storing
ventilation for cooling
thermal performance standards and ratings
ways of improving the thermal performance of residential buildings
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
environment protection
occupational licensing
work health and safety (WHS)
energy and power:
terminology:
energy
energy efficiency
energy loads
heating and cooling loads
latent heat
power
primary energy source
units of measurement
uses, cost and environmental impact of energy use in residential buildings
greenhouse gas emissions:
embodied carbon dioxide
relationship between building design, space heating and cooling, water heating, lighting water use, fuel source, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
types of greenhouse gases
ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
life cycle approach in building sustainability assessment
passive energy design:
benefits of passive design
principles of passive design
relationship between passive design, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
residential energy use:
appliances
equipment
external installations
fittings
fixtures
fuel sources
occupant use of building
sources of energy consumption
residential heating and cooling:
appliances
carbon dioxide emissions
energy consumption
energy efficiency measures
methods
types
residential lighting:
carbon dioxide emissions
energy consumption
energy efficiency measures
types
residential water use:
appliances
carbon dioxide emissions
energy consumption
fittings
fixtures
types
water efficiency labelling and standards (WELS)
water efficiency measures and regulations
software tools:
assumptions and limitations inherent in software tools
building and other elements included in an assessment
correct operation of software
criteria for the selection of particular 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
scope and function of software tools
types of software tools
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.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
NatHERS software tool
computer equipment suitable for using NatHERS software tool
materials:
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
building documentation for residential buildings to be assessed
technical reference library with current publications on:
Australian climatic zones
building design and materials
house energy rating system (HERS)
building thermal performance for planned buildings
manufacturer product information on building products and materials
NatHERS
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 up-to-date knowledge of information required to make recommendations based on the outputs of NatHERS software tools. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate and interpret the outputs of NatHERS software tools data associated with conducting thermal performance assessments, such as U-value, R-value, reflectivity, absorptance and emissivity interpret and extract data from building plans and specifications. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify customer requirements. |
Reading skills to: | identify and interpret documents and information on key matters associated with thermal performance and energy efficiency assessments, such as climatic zones and the thermal properties of building materials. |
Technology skills to: | operate computer equipment and peripherals enter data and use the functions of NatHERS software tools and other general purpose software packages. |
Writing skills to: | complete standard forms prepare routine reports on the outcomes of NatHERS assessments. |
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. | |
Functions of software package must include: | building thermal performance: conditioned mode non-conditioned mode non-building thermal performance: embodied carbon dioxide energy consumption lighting operational carbon dioxide plug-in appliances water heating water use. |
Information must include: | appliances non-standard and complex building materials, designs and other features occupant usage. |
Options must include at least two of the following: | behaviour change construction materials energy-efficient appliances glazing indigenous planting insulation levels landscaping and planting orientation overshadowing passive heating and cooling re-use and recycling of products size style thermal mass type of glazing ventilation water conservation strategies window zoning and layout. |
Criteria must include at least one of the following: | availability of rebates and other assistance programs cost intended use of the building occupant preferences ownership of the building practicality. |
Sectors
Home sustainability assessment