Disclaimer

Last updated: 26 April 2026

Power Buddy is built to help Kiwi homeowners make better decisions about energy. To do that honestly, we need to be upfront about what our tools can and can't do.

General guidance only

Everything on Power Buddy — the home energy audit, heat pump and hot water sizers, solar payback calculator, retailer comparison, carbon footprint tool, tip articles and product information — is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not professional, financial, legal, engineering or trade advice.

Before spending money on any energy upgrade, switching power retailer, or making a financial decision based on our tools, please confirm the details with a qualified professional. Our verified expert directory is a good starting point.

Calculator estimates

Our calculators use NZ-specific data from EECA, MBIE, NIWA and Stats NZ, but they are still estimates. Realistic accuracy bands are:

Hot water and lighting: roughly ±10–15%
Heating load and heat pump sizing: roughly ±15–20%
Solar generation and payback: roughly ±20–30%
Total household kWh: roughly ±25%

Real-world results depend on factors we can't measure online — your home's exact construction, weather in any given year, household behaviour, current installer pricing and the condition of existing equipment.

For more detail on how the numbers are calculated and where the data comes from, see our accuracy notes.

Power retailer comparison

Retailer rates and plan features change frequently. While we update our data regularly, the only authoritative source for current pricing is the retailer themselves. Always confirm a plan's price, fees and terms with the retailer before signing up. Power Buddy is not affiliated with any retailer and does not earn commission on sign-ups.

Listed experts and quotes

Experts listed in our directory are independent New Zealand businesses. Power Buddy verifies basic business details but does not endorse, employ or supervise any listed expert. Any quote you receive, and any work performed, is solely between you and the expert.

Always check an expert's qualifications, licences, insurance and references before engaging them — exactly as you would with any tradesperson found through any other channel.

Special offers and product information

Promotional offers, finance options and product specifications shown on Power Buddy are provided by the listed expert or supplier. Final terms, eligibility and pricing are set by them. Confirm all details directly before purchasing.

No warranty

Power Buddy is provided "as is". To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, we make no warranties about the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any information on the site, and we accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on it.

This does not affect your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or any other law that cannot be excluded.

Questions?

If something on the site looks wrong, out of date, or unclear, please tell us at hello@mypowerbuddy.co.nz. We genuinely want to fix it.