Master Electricians Australia has urged the Queensland Government to formalise the energy audit industry and help prevent scammers from conducting energy audits on homes.

Master Electricians Australia Queensland state manager Stephen King called on the state government to endorse energy efficiency and assessment qualification as a prerequisite for performing in-home energy audits in the state.

“Master Electricians Australia strongly recommends all energy auditors be required to hold a prerequisite qualification such as a Certificate IV in Energy Efficiency and Assessment,” Mr King said.

“An energy audit service can assist home owners and consumers with a full household power assessment, tips on how to save money and energy, and access to energy saving products such as wireless power monitors and power-saving light bulbs.

“The benefits of in-home energy auditing are far reaching however these benefits would only be fully realised if they were delivered by an experienced and highly trained energy efficiency specialist.

“This qualification is targeted at licensed electricians and electrical engineers with the appropriate safety systems in place, and will ensure that only technicians with a high level of skill and experience will receive accreditation.

“This will result in more comprehensive and effective energy audits for home owners and consumers as well as curb the risk of scamming for home owners who are not familiar with what an energy audit entails.”

Mr King said since home energy audits sponsored by the Government came to a close last year, it was now essential that private businesses performing energy audits for a fee had technicians that carried the appropriate training and qualifications.

“Home owners trust that the service they are paying for is carried out to the highest standard,” he said.

“A government endorsed energy auditing qualification would restore consumer confidence in the energy auditing industry not to mention maintain an essential standard of service.

“Master Electricians Australia is currently in the process of writing to Queensland Energy Minister Mark McArdle to urge him to make the qualification a prerequisite for performing in-home energy audits.

“Electricians or electrical engineers interested in attaining the qualification can contact Master Electricians Australia on 1300 889 198 or info [at] masterelectricians.com.au.”

22 April 2013