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

decisionmaking and problemsolving 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 workrelated 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

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 offsite 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 andor oral assessment

observed documented andor firsthand 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

Measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings may include changes to:

Appropriate sources may include:

Information on rebates and other forms of assistance may include:

Factors that may influence cost may include:

Limitations may include: