Environmentally sustainable plumbing technology

Course overview

The Course in Environmentally Sustainable Plumbing Technology has been designed for registered and/or licensed plumbing practitioners and plumbing apprentices who wish to ‘value-add’ to their existing plumbing skills and services.

It provides learners with the knowledge and skills required to advise clients on the selection of sustainable plumbing appliances and systems for use in domestic or commercial properties. The appropriate selection of plumbing systems may deliver financial savings for the client and also environmental benefits to the community as a whole.

Learners must be a licensed or registered plumber or a plumbing apprentice.

Learners must hold water registration to undertake the unit VU21723 Install solar heated water systems.

Course structure

The course consists of five units; four core units and one elective unit.

Core units (all four core units must be completed)

• VU21716 Provide advice on energy efficient plumbing measures
  • addresses improving energy usage in domestic and commercial properties.
• VU21717 Provide advice on solar heated water systems
  • addresses selection and installation of solar heated water systems.
• VU21718 Provide advice on urban alternative water sources
  • addresses alternative sources of water available for urban use.
• VU21719 Plan pump systems
  • addresses planning and sizing simple pump systems used to pump rainwater and greywater in suburban areas.

Elective units (one elective unit must be completed)

• VU21720 Carry out environmental plumbing inspections
  • addresses requirements for environmental plumbing inspections and reports for domestic buildings.
• VU21721 Provide advice on energy efficient commercial hot water systems
  • addresses efficient commercial heated water systems including gas, electric, solar and/or heat pump heated water systems.
• VU21722 Provide advice on geothermal heat pump systems
  • addresses use of geothermal heat pump systems (ground source heat pumps) for heating and cooling to improve environmental sustainability.
• VU21723 Install solar heated water systems
  • addresses skills required to install and commission close coupled and pumped solar heated water systems.
  • participants must hold water registration to undertake this unit.

This course is delivered as face to face, trainer led classroom training. There are two delivery options;

• Learners may complete the core and elective units as a series of stand-alone courses (single day delivery) over a period of time to build up to meet the course requirements
• Learners may complete a ‘block’ program during which all core and elective units are delivered and assessed over five (5) consecutive days.

Course duration

36-42 hours depending on elective selection

Course fees:

Assessment arrangements

Assessment requires learners to:

• complete a theory assessment for each unit
• complete a case study/practical assessment for each unit

Course outcome

On successful completion of this course learners will be able to:

• discuss the benefits of sustainability for clients and the broader community as a whole
• provide advice to clients on water and energy saving plumbing appliances and systems
• report on existing plumbing systems and make recommendations for environmentally sustainable improvements.

Course recognition

Learners successfully completing this course will receive a Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment.