Application
This unit of competency supports the work of Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (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 | Assess options for improving thermal performance of building. | 1.1 | Outcomes of NatHERS assessment are interpreted to identify strengths and weaknesses in thermal performance of building. |
1.2 | Options for improving thermal performance | ||
1.3 | NatHERS software tool is applied to model the impact of the options on the thermal performance of the building. | ||
1.4 | Criteria for evaluating options are established consistent with client, regulatory and organisational requirements. | ||
1.5 | Options for enhancing thermal performance are assessed against evaluative criteria in line with organisational procedures. |
2 | Provide information to client on options for improving thermal performance. | 2.1 | Accurate information on options for enhancing thermal performance of building, including their benefits and limitations, is presented to client in line with organisational procedures. |
2.2 | Evidence of impact of options on thermal performance of building is provided and explained to client in line with organisational procedures. | ||
2.3 | Effective communication strategies are used to explain to client recommended option for improving thermal performance. | ||
2.4 | Potential impact of thermal performance measures on other aspects of the building are identified and communicated to client in line with organisational procedures. | ||
2.5 | Opportunities are provided for client to confirm understanding and seek clarification about options for enhancing thermal performance in line with organisational procedures. | ||
2.6 | Advice on additional sources of information |
Required Skills
Required skills |
communication skills to interact with clients from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds in an ethical manner decision-making and problem-solving skills to make recommendations for improving thermal performance based on the outputs of NatHERS software tools and other evaluative criteria learning skills to maintain currency of own knowledge of options for enhancing thermal performance of residential buildings literacy skills to read and interpret a variety of texts, including legislation, regulations, and conduct and ethical standards numeracy and data analysis skills to interpret and extract outputs of NatHERS software tools data associated with conducting thermal performance assessments, such as U-value, R-value, reflectivity, absorptance and emissivity research skills to identify and locate documents and information on the thermal properties of building materials technology skills to: operate computer equipment and peripherals enter data and use the functions of NatHERS software tools time-management skills to provide advice in a timely, cost-efficient manner |
Required knowledge |
building materials: constraints on choice of building materials: cost practicality size space thermal performance properties of common building materials building thermal performance: benefits of thermal performance assessment energy loads, heating and cooling loads, and latent heat impact of building materials on building thermal performance impact of building and materials condition on building thermal performance impact of building design on building thermal performance relationship between building thermal performance and thermal comfort 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 thermal performance principles: glazing, shading and insulation for controlling temperature orientation for heating thermal mass for storing ventilation for cooling thermal performance standards: current standards documentation legal requirements uses ways of improving the thermal performance of planned residential buildings: construction materials draught proofing floor coverings glazing insulation levels landscaping and planting orientation overshadowing passive heating and cooling shade structural changes thermal mass ventilation window coverings window size, location and type zoning and layout 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, fair trading and trade practices energy conservation environment protection occupational licensing work health and safety NatHERS software tools: assumptions inherent in NatHERS software protocol criteria for the selection of particular NatHERS software tools NatHERS and Australian Building Codes Board Protocol for House Energy Rating software properties of materials, such as heat transfer coefficients and U-value, thermal resistance and R-value, reflectivity, absorptance, solar heat gain coefficient and emissivity passive building design principles |
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 evaluating options and making recommendations on ways of enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | A person should demonstrate the ability to: identify options for improving the thermal performance of buildings using knowledge of passive building design principles and the thermal performance of buildings and materials apply accredited NatHERS software tools to model the impact of different options for improving the thermal performance of buildings establish and apply evaluative criteria for assessing options and making recommendations for improving the thermal performance of buildings explain recommendations for improving thermal performance of buildings to clients provide clients with reliable information and details of additional sources of information on options for improving thermal performance of buildings provide clients with reliable information on potential impact on other health, safety, amenity and sustainability aspects of the dwelling or building. |
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: NatHERS software tools relevant codes, standards and government regulations building plans and specifications for residential buildings to be assessed computer equipment suitable for using NatHERS software tools 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 and/or oral assessment observed, documented and/or first-hand testimonial evidence of the candidate evaluating options and making recommendations on ways of enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings. |
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. | |
Options for improving thermal performance may include changes to: | construction materials glazing insulation levels landscaping and planting orientation passive heating and cooling sealing the building envelope shading thermal mass ventilation weather stripping window: location size style type of glazing zoning and layout. |
Criteria may include: | client requirements compliance of option with legislative and regulatory requirements cost of option impact of option on thermal performance or rating of building potential impact of option on other aspects of a dwelling’s thermal performance practicality of option time required to implement option. |
Client may include: | architect builder building owner construction manager government agency property developer. |
Effective communication strategies may include: | active listening being non-judgemental exploring problems expressing an individual perspective providing sufficient time for questions and responses providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations using appropriate words, behaviour and posture using clarifying and summarising questions using clear and concise language using culturally appropriate communication using plain English using verbal and non-verbal communication. |
Sources of information may include: | brochures, fact sheets and websites of: government energy efficiency agencies industry associations industry regulators energy efficiency agencies journal articles product and service suppliers and manufacturers research centres technical experts technical reports. |
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.