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.
Correct industry terminology for energy use may include:
efficiency
energy
power
primary energy source.
Environmental and social impacts of energy use may include:
climate change
energy cost
energy security
global warming
greenhouse gas emissions
operational costs
resource depletion.
Key terms used to describe heat transfer may include:
conduction
convection
evaporation
radiation.
Physical factors that influence thermal comfort may include:
air movement
humidity
radiation
temperature.
Requirements for thermal comfort may include:
activity levels
age
clothing.
Types and uses of climate data used in carrying out thermal performance assessments may include:
diurnal temperature range
humidity
maximum and minimum temperatures
temperature
wind.
Impact of local climatic conditions on building thermal performance may include:
humidity
shading
sunshine
temperatures
wind.
Principles of passive design may include:
building envelope
construction materials
construction methods
glazing
house plan ratio
insulation
orientation
thermal mass
ventilation
zoning.
Factors that diminish the thermal performance of buildings may include:
air leakage
deviation from ideal orientation
excessive glass area
high building surface area to volume
installing glazing where solar gain during the day and thermal losses during the night cannot be controlled easily
insulation materials that are not matched to the main mode of heat transfer
lack of adequate shading during seasonal periods of high solar gain
lack of radiant heat barriers
loss of effectiveness of materials over time
occupant behaviour
open staircases leading to unequal distribution of warm air between upper and lower floors as warm air rises
operation of buildings
poor maintenance practices
thermal losses through non-insulated or unprotected glazing.

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