Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Measures for improving thermal performance of residential buildings may include changes to:
construction materials
draught proofing
floor coverings
glazing
insulation levels
landscaping and planting
orientation
overshadowing
passive cooling
passive design
passive solar heating
shading
skylights
structural changes
thermal mass
ventilation
windows:
coverings
size
type
zoning and layout.
Appropriate sources may include:
catalogues
conferences
government agencies
industry associations
industry publications:
electronic
print
product and service suppliers
professionals:
architects
building consultants
building designers
building thermal performance assessors
engineers
environmental consultants
professional organisations
published costing guides
regulatory bodies
technical experts
trade exhibitions
tradespeople
utility companies.
Information on rebates and other forms of assistance may include:
amount of rebate or assistance
application period
application process
eligibility criteria
qualifying period
type of assistance.
Factors that may influence cost may include:
availability
building design
building siting
building type
changes in product and service specifications
changes in professional fees
condition of building
date of order or purchase
delays in supply
foreign exchange movements
guarantees
insurance
labour costs
product changes and upgrades
service changes and upgrades
source of supply
taxes and charges
transport and handling costs.
Limitations may include:
availability of products and services
building condition
building design
building siting
exclusions
factors that may be subject to change:
installation charges
prices
product and service back-up and support
product and service features
product and service performance
rebates and other support programs
specialist advice on products and services that may be required
supply time for products and services
fees, taxes and levies
inclusions.

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 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:
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 and/or oral assessment
observed, documented and/or first-hand 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.