Required skills

communication skills to interact with clients from diverse social economic and cultural backgrounds in an ethical manner

decisionmaking and problemsolving skills to make recommendations for ways of improving thermal performance appropriate to particular climatic zones

literacy skills to read and interpret a variety of texts both print and electronic on residential building thermal performance

numeracy and data analysis skills to calculate and interpret climatic data

research skills to identify and locate documents and information on the thermal properties of building materials

timemanagement skills to conduct research and provide advice to clients in a timely costefficient manner

Required knowledge

Australian climatic zones

characteristics of climatic zones

climate data used in thermal performance assessment

diurnal temperature range

humidity

irradiance

maximum and minimum temperature

solar geometry

wind speed and direction

impact of climate on thermal performance of residential buildings

environmental and social impacts of energy use

climate change

energy cost

energy security

global warming

greenhouse gas emissions

operational costs

resource depletion

heat transfer in residential buildings

impact on heating and cooling

mechanisms

radiation

convection

conduction

modelling

U and Rvalues of building materials

Rvalues of wall constructions

NatHERS scheme

assessors

key features

NatHERS software tools

accreditation

building and external elements included in a NatHERS thermal performance assessment

features and types of software tools

function

protocol

scope

objectives

passive building design principles

building envelope

construction materials

construction methods

glazing

house plan ratio

insulation

orientation

thermal mass

ventilation

zoning

sources of information on climate

thermal comfort

definition of thermal comfort

importance

influences on thermal comfort

air movement

humidity

radiation

temperature

models of thermal comfort

requirements for thermal comfort

role of thermal comfort in building thermal performance assessments

thermal sensitivity of individuals

thermal performance

factors that diminish and enhance the thermal performance of buildings

impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance principles

relationship between building thermal performance heating and cooling and energy consumption

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 explaining to clients the principles of building thermal performance including heat transfer in residential buildings the factors that impact on thermal comfort how climatic conditions influence the thermal performance of residential buildings and the principles of passive design

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person should demonstrate the ability to

explain thermal performance to clients using correct terminology

explain the process of heat transfer in residential buildings to clients including the ways in which residential buildings lose and gain heat

explain factors that impact on thermal comfort to clients

explain how climatic conditions influence thermal performance of residential buildings to clients including the ways of improving thermal performance appropriate to particular climatic zones

explain principles of passive design to clients their application in planned and existing residences and the factors that diminish thermal performance

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

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

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 explaining to clients the principles of building thermal performance including

heat transfer in residential buildings

factors that impact on thermal comfort

how climatic conditions influence the thermal performance of residential buildings

the principles of passive design

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

Correct industry terminology for energy use may include:

Environmental and social impacts of energy use may include:

Key terms used to describe heat transfer may include:

Physical factors that influence thermal comfort may include:

Requirements for thermal comfort may include:

Types and uses of climate data used in carrying out thermal performance assessments may include:

Impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance may include:

Principles of passive design may include:

Factors that diminish the thermal performance of buildings may include: