New Tool Lets Anyone See the Cost and Carbon Impact of Home Design Choices – Instantly

July 07, 2025 at 14:48 PM EDT

Australian-developed Powerhaus App transforms energy-efficient home design from confusing to clear, helping the world build smarter, faster.

Across the globe, homeowners and designers are grappling with one big question: What’s the smartest way to make my home more energy-efficient — and is it worth it? Now, a team from Australia has launched the Powerhaus App, the world’s first public tool that shows — in real time — how changes to your home design affect energy use, carbon emissions and future power bills.

Fresh off its win for Most Innovative Solution – Environment and Energy Efficiency at the 2025 Australian Proptech Awards, the Powerhaus App is already being recognised as a breakthrough in sustainable housing technology.

Unlike traditional energy ratings, which provide a single score after plans are finalised, the Powerhaus App gives live feedback while you’re designing — helping you avoid expensive mistakes and make confident, low-carbon choices from day one. It’s a game-changer for anyone involved in green building — offering real-time feedback, not just compliance paperwork.

“People are being asked to make high-stakes energy decisions with low-quality information,” says Andrew Pickard, founder of Powerhaus Engineering. “We built the app so anyone — whether you’re a homeowner or a design professional — can see what actually works, and what it will save.”

Built on over 10 years of energy modelling and backed by Australian climate data, the app helps users:

Compare design choices, in real time
See how windows, insulation, solar and systems affect energy use
Understand carbon impact and daily ‘net zero’ performance
Prioritise upgrades by return on investment — not just intuition

Originally developed for internal consulting use, the app is now available for anyone to purchase directly via powerhaus.app. Whether you’re building a new home or upgrading an older one, it provides the clarity and confidence needed to design for a net zero future.

“Climate goals will be won or lost in how we design and upgrade our homes,” says Pickard. “This tool puts real impact in people’s hands — without needing a degree in building physics.”

Learn more or start using the app today.

About Powerhaus Engineering

Powerhaus Engineering is an Australian building consultancy and climate tech company transforming the way homes are designed for energy performance. Alongside expert building consulting, Powerhaus develops digital tools that make energy-efficiency decision-making faster, easier and more transparent — for homeowners, designers, builders and certifiers alike.

The Powerhaus App is the latest in a series of innovations aimed at shifting the industry from compliance-based box-ticking to real, measurable outcomes. With deep expertise in building physics, energy modelling and product design, Powerhaus is making sustainable homes easier to achieve — and harder to get wrong.

Founded by engineer Andrew Pickard, Powerhaus has been in operation for over 10 years and has delivered energy advice and performance modelling on thousands of homes across Australia. Andrew is a recognised leader in the field, known for rethinking how energy tools are used — not just for compliance, but to drive better design. His work bridges policy, technology and day-to-day building practice to help create homes that are truly future-ready.

Media Contact
Company Name: Powerhaus
Contact Person: Hannah Ocean
Email: Send Email
Phone: +61404984634
City: Canberra
State: ACT 2601
Country: Australia
Website: https://powerhaus.app

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New Tool Lets Anyone See the Cost and Carbon Impact of Home Design Choices – Instantly

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