MEA calls for qualified energy auditors in Queensland

Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has called on the Queensland Government to formalise the energy-audit industry to prevent scammers from conducting energy audits on homes.

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

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

“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.”

Since government-sponsored home energy audits ceased in 2012, it is essential that private businesses performing energy audits for a fee have appropriately trained and qualified technicians, King 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,” King said.

“Master Electricians 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 seeking more information on the qualification can visit www.masterelectricians.com.au or call 1300 889 198.