Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Need for assessing energy use may include assessment for:
determining energy profile, identifying opportunities for reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency
legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes
providing building design advice.
Residential building refers to:
any building categorised as Class 1, 2, 4 and 10a of the Building Code of Australia or in accordance with jurisdictional requirements.
Client may include:
builder
community organisation
construction manager
government agency
house owner
landlord
property developer
property manager
real estate agent
tenant.
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, summarising questions
using clear and concise language
using culturally appropriate communication
using plain English
using verbal and non-verbal communication.
Commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations, and industry ethical and conduct standards may include:
energy and energy management
energy use assessment:
accreditation
assessment procedures
certification
documentation
environment protection
ethical behaviour
fair trading and consumer protection:
confidentiality
conflict of interest
duty of care
non-discriminatory practices
privacy
residential tenancies
mandatory disclosure
OHS
retailer obligation schemes
white certificate schemes.
Issues may include:
basis for the need to conduct energy assessment
information required by assessor from client
information that assessor is required to document
objectives of assessment.
Hazards may include:
appliances:
electrocution
faulty
biological waste
confined spaces
electricity
harassment, bullying and/or violence involving co-workers or customers
hazardous substances:
asbestos
chemicals
fibres
fumes
insulation
heat:
burns
scalds
lighting:
bulbs
electrocution
manual handling:
carrying
lifting
pulling
pushing
machinery, including powered and non-powered equipment
skin penetrating injuries:
knives
sharps
syringes
work environment:
access
animals
dust
floor surfaces
lighting
noise
smoking
temperature extremes
working alone
working at heights
ventilation.
Assessment documentation may include:
assessor name and contact details
building details
building plans and specifications
checklists
client details
company promotional materials
existing energy bills
energy utility charges, rebates and programs for encouraging energy efficiency
photographic evidence
risk assessment
site details.
Tools, equipment and other requirements may include:
calculator
clipboard
compass
digital camera
energy monitoring equipment:
electricity meters
gas meters
power meters
incense sticks to observe air flow and draughts
infra-red thermometer
ladder
lux meter
personal protective equipment (PPE):
dust masks
eye protection
gloves
headwear
overalls
safety shoes and work boots
power meter
stopwatch
tape measure
thermometer
torch.
Information that should be obtained prior to assessment may include:
appliances:
age
capacity
number
type
energy accounts:
billing history
electricity
gas
solid fuel
household members:
number
age
insulation.
Details of assessment may include:
address of residence
assessor name and contact details
cost of assessment
date and time of assessment
duration of assessment
name of householder.
Information may include:
energy costs
energy use and behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use
heating and cooling
internal and external appliances
lighting
water heating system
water pump.
Information on household energy use and costs may be gathered through:
analysis of gas and electricity meter readings:
conventional meters
instant energy display units
smart meters
analysis of accounts to show current, seasonal and trend data on use and cost of:
electricity
gas:
LPG
natural
solid fuel:
coal
coke
diesel
oil
wood
analysis of costs of different energy plans and tariffs
tariffs:
peak
off peak
solar power and metering.
Information on household water heatingsystem may include:
features of water heating system:
age
capacity
condition
energy use
energy rating
insulation:
hot and cold water pipes
tank
location
standby losses
star rating (if gas)
suitability for size of household
thermostat settings
type and number of showerheads
use of solar thermal hot water heaters
type of water heating system:
electric instant
electric storage
electric heat pump
gas storage
gas instant
solar.
Information on household space heating and cooling may include:
ceiling fans:
ability to reverse
age
type
placement
draughts and air leaks:
causes:
doors
exhaust fans
gaps around plumbing pipes
gaps around power points and light switches
gaps between floorboards
recessed light fittings
wall-mounted air conditioners
windows
tests:
blower door tests
incense
tealights
ductwork
heating and cooling zones
heating and cooling appliances:
age
condition
energy rating
energy use
maintenance costs of system
noise level
number
placement of external unit (for cooling appliances only)
suitability for space being heated or cooled
thermostat setting
type
insulation:
floor, roof and walls
rating
type
natural ventilation
outdoor living spaces:
fans
outdoor heaters
shade devices
sources of heating and cooling.
Information on household lighting may include:
lights and lamps:
colour
dimmers
lux levels
number
position
shadows cast by existing lights and lamps
total wattage of lighting:
each globe
each room
whole house
type of globes
type of light fittings
type of lighting:
recessed
surface mounted
venting of downlights
lighting sensors and timers:
movement
timed
natural lighting
solar lighting
use of lighting:
general lighting
required lighting
safety and security lighting
task lighting.
Information on household appliances may include:
types of appliances:
cooking appliances
entertainment equipment
information technology equipment
whitegoods:
clothes dryers
clothes washers
combination washer/dryers
dishwashers
freezers
microwaves
portable heaters and air conditioning units
refrigerators
other equipment:
fish tanks
gymnasium equipment
large electric appliances, such as stoves, ovens, rangehoods, and portable heaters and air conditioning units
medical equipment
small household electric appliances, such as electric kettles, irons and towel warmers
spas
swimming pools
waste disposal units
water beds
features of appliances:
age, position and number of appliances
average daily use of appliances
condition of appliances:
dust on coils
seals on refrigerators, freezers and ovens
energy and water saving features
energy rating, type and use
size of appliances:
appropriateness for size of household
kWh used
Mj used
standby energy use
maintenance of appliances
ventilation and microclimate.
Information onbehaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use may relate to:
levels of illumination
medical conditions of household members that may impact on:
hot water, heating, cooling, lighting and appliance requirements
capacity to manipulate controls
setting and programming thermostats
thermal comfort
use of appliances
use of hot water.
Data collection tools may include:
checklists and forms
energy use calculators
graphs
questionnaires
self-assessment forms
software programs.
Characteristics of household energy use, costs and emissions may include:
comparison of energy use and costs with similar households
components of energy use:
appliances
cooking
heating and cooling
lighting
water heating systems
occupant behaviour
seasonal variation in energy use and costs
total consumption and cost
trends in consumption and cost over time.
Options for improving efficiency of energy use and reducing costs and emissions may include:
appliances:
check size of appliances relative to household requirements, as appropriate
consider necessity of having multiple appliances
limit use of standby power by switching off appliances when not in use
maintain appliances
replace appliances with energy efficient ones
reset thermostats, where applicable
select correct location for appliances
ventilation
behaviour and preferences of household members that impact on energy use
heating and cooling:
heat distribution systems:
leaky or broken ducts
poorly insulated ducts
cross-flow ventilation
draught proofing
glazing
efficiency of central heating systems, for example, through clip-on air diverters
energy efficient space heating and cooling
insulation
passive cooling
setting of thermostats
use of fans
window and floor coverings
zoning of heating and cooling system and exclusion of wet areas
lighting:
increase solar lighting
install energy efficient systems
replace light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs
use different lighting levels for background and task lighting
use light colours in rooms for walls and furnishings
use sensors and timers
use separate switching and two-way switching
water heating system:
install showerheads with water efficiency and labelling standards (WELS) rating
install water saving aerators on taps and in tap flow regulators
install energy efficient water heating system
insulate hot water tanks and pipes
maintain and repair leaking taps and pipes
reset thermostat down to 60oC.
Evaluations take into account:
availability of rebates and other assistance programs
behaviour and preferences of householders
cost
ownership of building
practicality
type of building.
Sources of technical advice on using residential property for energy production may include:
accreditation agencies
architects
building designers
colleagues
consultants
energy use and management advisory services
government agencies
professional associations
research bodies
supervisors
suppliers of residential energy production technologies
utility companies.
Advantages and disadvantages of using residential property for energy production may include:
advantages:
higher resale value
isolation for building owners from future energy price increases
pre-empt future legislative restrictions or penalties, which may force expensive retrofits to energy inefficient buildings
reduce requirement for energy austerity
reduce total net monthly cost of living
tariff benefits
value of building relative to similar conventional buildings as energy costs increase over time
disadvantages:
effort required to understand, apply and qualify for subsidies
initial cost
length of payback
overcapitalising on older buildings
possible declines in future renewable energy costs may lessen the value of capital invested in energy efficiency.
Energy production technologies suitable for use in residential property may include:
features of systems:
age and condition of system
appropriateness of size of system for size of household
average daily energy production
maintenance costs of system
number of panels or turbines
positioning of system:
microclimate
shading
wind turbulence
types of systems:
mini geothermal systems
mini hydro power systems
photovoltaic power systems
wind power systems.
Assessment of feasibility is based on:
climate
cost
location
orientation
ownership of building
practicality
type
user behaviour and preferences.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 conducting an assessment of energy use in a residence, which involves collecting and analysing information on household energy use and providing advice on ways to improve energy efficiency.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
In particular, the person should demonstrate the ability to:
collect and analyse information on household energy use and provide advice on ways to improve energy efficiency in the home
assess feasibility of using a residential building for energy production
meet all OHS requirements when conducting household energy assessments
apply knowledge of:
trends in household energy use and costs
major sources of household energy use
ways of gathering information on household energy use and costs
ways of improving household energy efficiency.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context and is to comply with relevant regulatory and Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
data collection tools
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
access to residential buildings for conducting an assessment of energy use
technology suitable for generating reports
technical reference library with current publications on:
Australian climatic zones
energy rating schemes
energy use and measurement
manufacturers' product information on domestic appliances, heating and cooling, water heating and lighting products
residential energy production technologies.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the CPP07 Property Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example:
CPPHSA4002A Assess household waste generation and management
CPPHSA4003A Assess household water use
CPPHSA4004A Assess thermal performance of existing residences using non-rating tools and techniques.
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.