FR5 Software

FirstRate5® house energy rating software

FirstRate5® is an easy-to-use interactive tool with a graphic user interface that enables designers and thermal performance assessors to generate energy ratings for a home by tracing over floor plans. The software integrates the AccuRate calculation engine to estimate the annual heating and cooling energy and can be used to rate an existing design or as an interactive tool to optimise the design beyond compliance.

Latest news

Release of FR5 v5.2.10a (3.13)

by FR5 | Dec 14, 2018

FirstRate5 v5.2.10a (3.13) is now available as a free download from www.fr5.com.au. This version is a minor bug fix release and Sustainability Victoria (SV) recommends that all users upgrade to this version.

This bug fix version addresses the issue related to the Raked Wall Helper that could result in corrupted project files. The software bug was triggered if a user edited the raked wall properties for multiple walls at the same time on the Plan tab or Zoning tab.

SV recommends that users carefully review any project files created in FR5 v5.2.10 (3.13) that used the Raked Wall Helper and check for errors present. If you need to review affected files please note that they can only be opened in FR5 v5.2.10 (3.13) and NOT in FR5 v5.2.10a (3.13).

User should review the Plan tab for missing walls and zones that have moved; the impacted elements should be deleted and redrawn. Once this step is completed users can then reopen files in FR5 v5.2.10a (3.13).

If you are having trouble reviewing an affected file please submit a query through the online contact form once you are logged into your FR5 account.

Current versions of FirstRate5 & transition arrangements for FR5 v5.2.9 (3.13)


Until 6 March 2019
 (5pm) a transition period will be in place. During this period both v5.2.9 (3.13) and v5.2.10 (3.13) files will automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website. Please note the following:                                               
  • All project files created using a version of FR5 v5.2.9 (3.13) will be calculated using the v5.2.9 calculation engine when uploaded to the FirstRate5 website.
  • All project files created using a version of FR5 v5.2.10 (3.13)  (i.e. v5.2.10 or v5.2.10a) will be calculated using the v5.2.10a calculation engine when uploaded to the FirstRate5 website.

After 6 March 2019 (5pm) v5.2.10 (3.13) files (i.e. v5.2.10 or v5.2.10a) will continue to automatically calculate on the FirstRate5 website, however v5.2.9 (3.13) files will calculate by special request only.

For more information on FirstRate5 visit www.fr5.com.au, submit a query through the online contact form or email [email protected].                                   

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Note: It is the user’s responsibility to ensure certificates are produced with the appropriate version. If a user chooses to inappropriately use an earlier version of FR5 to produce a certificate, they run the risk that a Building Surveyor will reject the certificate leading to further certificate costs.

Note: Installation of minor releases involving a letter change (e.g. v5.2.10 to v5.2.10a) will by default overwrite the previous version, while major releases involving a number change (e.g. v5.2.9 to v5.2.10) will by default install beside older versions.

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