Executive Summary - Energy - Energy Web view · 2017-03-10Training and delivery elements consultation . April 2016. Residential Efficiency S. ... Basic mandatory standards for insulation

Residential Efficiency ScorecardTraining and delivery elements consultation

April 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Executive Summary......................................................................................................................................2

1.1. How to provide feedback..............................................................................................................................2

2 What are the benefits of the Scorecard?......................................................................................................3

3 What evidence has been considered?..........................................................................................................3

4 How will the Scorecard work?.......................................................................................................................4

5 Who will use the Scorecard..........................................................................................................................5

6 What does a Scorecard assessment cover?................................................................................................5

6.1 What kinds of information will an assessor collect?......................................................................................6

7 What training will be required?.....................................................................................................................7

7.1 OHS training.................................................................................................................................................8

7.2 HSA training..................................................................................................................................................8

7.3 Recognition of prior learning.........................................................................................................................8

7.4 Scorecard assessor training.........................................................................................................................8

7.5 Supporting quality outcomes........................................................................................................................8

8 Code of conduct for assessors.....................................................................................................................9

9 Additional matters.......................................................................................................................................10

10 List of questions..........................................................................................................................................10

1 Executive SummaryThe Residential Efficiency Scorecard (the Scorecard) will be released in 2016 in Victoria. This will be the first purpose designed home assessment of its kind in Australia. Using robust data and calculations, the Scorecard will be an effective way for householders to understand, compare and improve the comfort of their home, and save on energy costs in their particular house as built. It will include a new feature - assessing how a home performs in a heatwave.

The purpose of this document is to seek input and share our current thinking on delivery options for the Scorecard.

It should be noted that the Scorecard is in pre-release phase. The detail provided in this document is indicative only and subject to change. Feedback received in this consultation will be considered in the development process.

The information provided focuses on effective release of the Scorecard in Victoria during 2016. This is the first phase of the Scorecard program. It is expected that after release the Scorecard, and its systems and processes, will significantly evolve and improve. There will be future opportunities to provide feedback to ensure the Scorecard continues to develop and meet community needs.

The Victorian Government has committed to support energy efficiency to reduce the cost of living, create jobs, increase economic productivity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Government policy was outlined on 26 June 2015 in Saving energy, growing jobs: Victoria’s energy efficiency and productivity statement.

The Residential Efficiency Scorecard was identified in the Statement as a measure to help achieve these goals.

1.1. How to provide feedbackSubmissions may be emailed to [email protected]

Please use the subject: Residential Efficiency Scorecard consultation response 2016

Alternatively submissions may be provided in writing:

Residential Efficiency Scorecard consultation response 2016

Energy Policy and Programs

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources

GPO Box 4509

Melbourne VIC 3001

Please see website for the closing date for submissions: www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au/energy/environment-and-community/energy-efficiency/residential-efficiency-scorecard

Residential Efficiency Scorecard - Training and delivery elements consultation April 2016

http://www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au/energy/environment-and-community/energy-efficiency/residential-efficiency-scorecard

http://www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au/energy/environment-and-community/energy-efficiency/residential-efficiency-scorecard

mailto:[email protected]

2 What are the benefits of the Scorecard?Improving the energy performance of the home is one of the easiest methods householders can use to save on their energy bills. Some homes are not particularly healthy or comfortable. Homes may be cold in winter and difficult to heat. In summer they can be unacceptably hot. This can be particularly difficult for those who spend a lot of time in their home.

The first step to addressing these issues is to understand the current performance of the home, and the features that drive this performance. In Victoria, there is no accepted and trusted method of evaluating, rating, comparing and improving the energy and hot or cold weather performance of existing homes.

This lack of comparable information means that householders need to consider and evaluate varying advice, which can be time consuming, confusing and costly.

It can be difficult for businesses offering home improvements to convince householders of the value of their products. Governments and other organisations also benefit from a better understanding of the relative performance of homes in Victoria, and options for improvement.

In response to this challenge, the Victorian Government is developing a voluntary household rating tool, the Residential Efficiency Scorecard (the Scorecard). The Scorecard will empower householders to improve the comfort and energy performance of their home, and save money on their energy bills.

The Scorecard is targeted at existing homes, however it can also assess new homes. The Scorecard is a web based tool that will enable a trained assessor to identify and record information about the fabric of a home (including fixed appliances) where it affects the energy or hot weather performance. The Scorecard tool will then produce a rating of the home, a hot weather rating, rate individual home features, and provide recommendations on upgrade options.

3 What evidence has been considered?The main objective of the Scorecard is to support the improved energy performance, and associated comfort, of the fabric of existing residential dwellings.

The fabric of a home turns over slowly, so a poorly performing home generates an ongoing impact on a household’s budget. The process of improving the fabric of the home begins with assessing the current performance. However, assessing performance requires complex modelling of a range of factors including insulation, orientation, built form, and fixed appliances.

There is no currently accepted methodology to undertake such a home assessment. While some businesses provide household assessments, there is no universal, trusted approach, and if a householder can find an assessor they have no means to determine if the results are valid.

We know this is a significant issue. Many homes in Victoria have relatively poor energy efficiency characteristics. The fabric of the home, including fixed appliances, is a major driver of household energy consumption. Sustainability Victoria research indicates that nearly half of energy consumption in the average Victorian home relates to space heating (32%) and water heating (16%).

Annually approximately 36,000 homes are constructed in Victoria. Basic mandatory standards for insulation were introduced in the 1990’s, meaning that the building shell of the majority of homes in Victoria are likely to perform poorly compared to existing energy standards.

Research1 has found that a dwelling built in 2006 uses approximately 12 per cent less gas than one built in 2005. This reduction can be attributed to the introduction of the minimum 5 star thermal performance standard for homes in 2006.

In addition to energy bill impacts, there are broader impacts on comfort and liveability. Research2 in Victoria found one third of low income homes reported difficulty heating their homes in winter, with house design and draughts the most commonly reported cause of this problem.

Improving the building shell and fixed assets in the home can also have positive health impacts on householders, including reduced hospital admissions and reduced deaths3. Appropriate home thermal design can be effective in reducing heat and cold stress risks in homes.

More broadly, a resilient economy requires new industries to develop to fill emerging needs in society. The Scorecard will support development of improved products and services in the energy efficiency sector.

1 SP AusNet 2012, Gas Demand Forecasting SP AusNet 2013-2017.2 Roy Morgan 2008, Victorian Utility Consumption Household Survey 2007.3 Victorian Government Department of Human Services 2009, January 2009 Heatwave in Victoria: an Assessment of Health Impacts.


4 How will the Scorecard work?The Scorecard is a voluntary program. It is envisioned that many households will seek Scorecard assessments. An assessment will allow a householder to understand and improve the comfort and efficiency of their home (see Figure 1).

It is proposed that the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (the Department) will support the web based Scorecard tool. Assessors interested in using the tool will need to demonstrate that they have the appropriate training and other requirements before they access the Scorecard.

Householders who are interested in a rating would contact an assessor with access to the tool. The assessor would collect data on site and calculate a rating through the Scorecard tool on the spot. Assessors will deliver this service in the market. It is expected that households would pay assessors for this service.

On completion of the Scorecard assessment, the householder would receive a certificate with:

an overall rating, on a scale from zero to ten, that represents the average cost of energy for their home; information about the performance of key elements of their home; information about performance of their home in hot conditions and; a range of options about how they could improve the rating of their home.

Figure 1: How the Scorecard operates


Residential Efficiency Scorecard

Householder requests assessment

Web based tool

Trained assessor visits home

Householder receives certificate

5 Who will use the ScorecardIt is proposed that the Scorecard will be made available throughout Victoria. The Scorecard can be of value to households, businesses, not-for-profit organisations involved in housing, the buildings and renovations sector, product manufacturing and energy efficiency industries.

The following groups or individuals could particularly benefit from access to Scorecard assessments;

householders conducting renovations; responding to energy bill hardship or households that require energy information support; householders who access the DHS Medical Cooling Concession or other concession services; community housing providers; and point of sale information provision to demonstrate the value of high performing homes.

6 What does a Scorecard assessment cover?Scorecard assessments are focussed on the energy efficiency of the fixed fabric elements of the home and not the way that fabric is operated by the current resident.

The assessment does not consider the behaviour of particular occupants or the impact of non-fixed appliances (for example; refrigerator, TV or computer).Targeting the fixed fabric of a house is important as this turns over slowly, therefore the performance will impact many families over time.

The Scorecard uses ‘average behaviour assumptions’ based on significant data sets to support robust ratings. This is an important element of the program as it allows one house to be compared to another, and compared before and after a renovation.

Tools and information are already available to help households understand the behaviour changes that assist in reducing their energy bill, but limited information is available to allow households to compare houses or undertake efficiency renovations.


Question one:

How do you think the Scorecard could be used to enhance existing programs or industry

development?

6.1 What kinds of information will an assessor collect?Trained assessors will evaluate the efficiency of the fixed fabric elements of the home. The Scorecard tool is designed to facilitate fast and accurate assessment.

The design of the tool is based on the knowledge that some elements of an existing home are difficult to access and assess. To support robust assessment, where an element cannot be objectively assessed, (for example wall insulation in most homes) appropriate default options are programed into the assessment tool. This avoids the risk of assessors making subjective judgements where information is simply not available.

In undertaking an assessment, an assessor will assess the home by dividing it into a number of zones. In general one room is one zone.

The assessor will identify:

fixed heating and cooling sources; hot water system(s); any pools and/or spas; and any renewable energy installations.

For each zone the assessor will identify visible:

ceiling insulation; floor area, type, covering and insulation; window, size, material, orientation, covering and external overhang; external wall construction, insulation, height; heating and cooling sources applicable to that zone; halogen downlights; and sources of air leakage including chimneys, vents, exhaust fans and cracks, openings or similar.


7 What training will be required?It is intended to establish appropriate training requirements for the Scorecard. A pilot of the Scorecard found that assessors with little training often made significant errors that impacted on the accuracy of the rating. It is also important that training requirements do not create unnecessary barriers or costs to providing assessments.

It is proposed that assessors delivering Scorecard assessments need to possess both an appropriate qualification in occupational health and safety (OHS) and home sustainability assessment (HSA).

Table one provides the proposed training combinations which would be accepted to deliver Scorecard assessments. An assessor would need to demonstrate completion of all of the training outlined in one stream.

Table 1: Proposed training options for Scorecard assessors

OHS qualification

Qualification 1 Qualification 2 Qualification 3 Mandatory training requirement

Requirement stream 1

CPPACC4015A – Follow site occupational health and safety requirements

CPP41212 - Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment

Scorecard user training



CPP41110 - Certificate IV in Home Sustainability Assessment




22005VIC - Course in Retrofitting Homes for Energy and Water Efficiency

CPPHSA4001A - Assess household energy use

CPPHSA4004A - Assess thermal performance of existing residences using non-rating tools and techniques

OR

CPPHSA4019A - Inform clients about thermal performance of residential buildings



https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/CPPACC4015A









7.1 OHS training OHS training has been identified as a requirement for all Scorecard assessors.

Completion of a Scorecard assessment will require an assessor to move around a property and visually identify and record house features. This may include the need to work at heights and in enclosed spaces. For example, assessors may need to undertake a visual inspection of a roof space or underfloor area.

OHS qualification will ensure that an assessor is appropriately equipped to conduct the assessment in a safe and secure manner.

7.2 HSA training A level of knowledge in home sustainability assessment is required to accurately deliver Scorecard assessments.

A review of existing training found that development of an entirely new training qualification is not required. Accessing existing training courses that are already available is optimal. Many people have already completed training and therefore will have existing skills that will allow them to deliver Scorecard assessments with minimal delay and cost.

The existing qualification CPP41110 – Certificate IV in Home Sustainability Assessment was evaluated as providing adequate training, but also generally more extensive training than was required.

The existing qualification 22005VIC – Course in retrofitting homes for energy and water efficiency alone was considered to provide insufficient training. This course did not equip assessors with all the skills to appropriately identify and assess sometimes complex household features. Additional units have been identified to fill these gaps.

7.3 Recognition of prior learningAssessors may already be experienced in home assessment, but not have completed a relevant qualification. There is an existing process for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Gaining RPL allows a person to gain part or all of a qualification without completing training. Further information on the RPL process can be found here:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/victorianskillsgateway/employers/pages/recognition-of-prior-learning.aspx

7.4 Scorecard assessor trainingScorecard assessors need to be competent in the use of the Scorecard web tool. To meet these requirements a Scorecard user training program is being developed.

It is proposed that in the initial stages of program delivery, Scorecard user training will consist of around one day of training. The Department will initially oversight delivery of this training to ensure appropriate content and quality of delivery.

7.5 Supporting quality outcomesAppropriate level of assessor training and competency is important to ensure the Scorecard is trusted by households.

An option being explored is that a component of Scorecard user training could include a hurdle examination to examine competency. Two possible examination models are:

An exam including completion of a number of assessments using plan drawings conducted at the conclusion of the Scorecard assessor training; and/or

Completion of an onsite assessment of a house, reviewed by an experienced Scorecard assessor.


http://www.education.vic.gov.au/victorianskillsgateway/employers/pages/recognition-of-prior-learning.aspx

8 Code of conduct for assessors

It is an expectation of this program that assessors must be able to deal with customers at a highly professional level. They should follow all relevant occupational health and safety requirements, inform households of the particulars of the assessment being undertaken in their home, and provide clear feedback on the Scorecard results.

It is proposed that the Scorecard will be supported by an assessor code of conduct. This would ensure that the expectations for accessing the Scorecard tool and delivering assessments are clear and agreed.

Assessors would agree to comply with the code of conduct as a condition of accessing the Scorecard tool. It is important for the reputation of the scheme that the conduct of assessors is appropriate, and it is clear what will occur when inappropriate behaviour occurs.

The code of conduct would outline behavioural and delivery quality expectations for assessors. It would clarify under what circumstances suspension or removal of access to the Scorecard tool would occur.

The code of conduct could require Scorecard assessors to maintain appropriate insurance. This could include public liability and professional indemnity insurance at set dollar values.

Development of a code of conduct is in its early stages, and there will be further opportunity to input.


Question two:Are the proposed training requirements

appropriate to deliver a Scorecard assessment?

Please outline why you support, or don’t support, this approach.

Question three:

What elements should be considered in a code of conduct?

Please identify any existing codes of conduct, or elements of these, that would be supported as

appropriate for the Scorecard.

Question four:

What level and type of insurance would be appropriate for assessors delivering the

Scorecard?

Please outline why you support this approach.

9 Additional mattersThe Scorecard is a new program under development. This paper outlines a range of relevant matters under consideration. The development program includes:

the webtool and administrative structures; communications plan and supporting materials; training requirements and supporting documentation; administrative systems and processes; and support for users and members of the public.

10 List of questionsQuestion one: How do you think the Scorecard could be used to enhance existing programs or industry development?

Question two: Are the proposed training requirements appropriate to deliver a Scorecard assessment?

Please outline why you support, or don’t support, this approach.

Question three: What elements should be considered in a code of conduct?

Please identify any existing codes of conduct, or elements of these, that would be supported as appropriate for the Scorecard.

Question four: What level and type of insurance would be appropriate for assessors delivering the Scorecard?

Please outline why you support this approach.

Question five: Are there any other matters relevant to this program that you believe are important to consider during program development?


Question five:

Are there any other matters relevant to this program that you believe are important to consider during program development?

Authorised by the Hon Lily D’AmbrosioDepartment of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources1 Spring Street Melbourne Victoria 3000Telephone (03) 9651 9999

© Copyright State of Victoria, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources 2016

Except for any logos, emblems, trademarks, artwork and photography this document is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia license.

This document is also available in an accessible format at economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au


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Executive Summary - Energy - Energy Web view · 2017-03-10Training and delivery elements consultation . April 2016. Residential Efficiency S. ... Basic mandatory standards for insulation