What research are the recommendations based on?

Our recommendations are built on authoritative Australian sources: the Australian Government's YourHome guide (yourhome.gov.au) for passive cooling principles, the National Construction Code (NCC) climate zone classifications, CSIRO housing research on thermal comfort, and NatHERS energy rating guidelines. Product recommendations feature items rated by CHOICE and verified on ProductReview.com.au.

Is CoolMyHouse really free?

Yes, completely free with no catches. You get personalised recommendations, a PDF action plan, and shareable results. We don't sell your data. Some product links are affiliate links (we may earn a small commission if you purchase), but this doesn't affect which products we recommend.

I already have air conditioning. Will this help me?

Absolutely! Many of our highest-impact recommendations help you use your existing AC more efficiently. We'll suggest strategies like optimising your ducted zone controls, pre-cooling before heatwaves, using ceiling fans alongside AC (which lets you set the thermostat 2-3°C higher), and reducing heat gain so your AC doesn't work as hard.

We've got you covered. When you select 'rent', we automatically filter to non-permanent solutions: portable evaporative coolers, removable window film, internal blockout blinds, door draft stoppers, and behavioral strategies like night purging and cross-ventilation.

Does this work for apartments and units?

Yes! While some recommendations are house-specific (like roof ventilation), many apply equally to apartments: window film, internal blinds, ceiling fans, sealing air gaps, cross-ventilation strategies, and portable cooling options.

What about two-storey homes?

Two-storey homes have unique challenges - heat rises, making upper floors significantly hotter. We provide specific recommendations: ensuring adequate ceiling insulation, installing ceiling fans on the upper floor, using stairwell doors to contain cool air, and optimising ducted AC zones.

How much can I actually save?

Typical Australian households spend $600-1,200/year on cooling. Our users commonly save 30-50% by implementing high-impact recommendations. External shading on west windows can save $100-250/year, ceiling fans used with AC can save $100-300/year, and proper ceiling insulation can save $180-400/year.

What makes west-facing windows so critical?

The afternoon sun (1-6pm) hits west-facing windows at a low angle, penetrating deep into rooms. A large unshaded west window can add 1-2kW of heat - equivalent to running a bar heater! External shading blocks 80% of heat before it enters, while internal blinds only block 20-30%.

How do climate zones affect my recommendations?

Australia has 8 distinct climate zones, and strategies that work in Perth can fail in Darwin. In hot-dry climates (WA, SA) with humidity under 40%, evaporative cooling is excellent. In hot-humid climates (QLD, NT) with 60-80% humidity, evaporative cooling is ineffective - you need refrigerative AC instead.

Can I trust the product recommendations?

We only recommend products that are highly rated by Australian consumers (4+ stars), readily available (Bunnings, Amazon AU), and appropriate for your situation. Some links are affiliate links, but this never influences our recommendations.

Can I share my results?

Yes! You can share via a unique link (which includes your assessment data so others see your specific recommendations), get a detailed PDF report emailed to you, or print the page.

About CoolMyHouse | How We Help Australians Cool Their Homes

CoolMyHouse helps Australian homeowners find the best ways to cool their homes efficiently. We provide free, personalised recommendations based on your specific situation — no signup required.

How It Works

Our questionnaire takes about 2 minutes and asks about your:

Location (to determine your climate zone)
House type and age
Current cooling setup
Budget and priorities

Based on your answers, we generate a prioritised action plan with specific recommendations — from free weekend DIY fixes to professional upgrades with installer quotes.

How We Calculate Savings

Our savings estimates (typically 20–40% on cooling costs) are based on:

Government research from YourHome.gov.au and CSIRO studies on home cooling efficiency
NatHERS data on energy performance across Australia's 8 climate zones
Product efficiency ratings from the Energy Rating scheme
Independent testing from CHOICE and other consumer organisations

Important Disclaimer

Actual savings vary significantly based on your home's construction, current efficiency, local energy prices, usage patterns, and which recommendations you implement. The 20–40% range represents typical outcomes reported in government studies, not a guarantee of specific results for your home.

Our Data Sources

Government Sources

• YourHome.gov.au (passive cooling)
• NCC 2024 (building standards)
• NatHERS (climate zones & ratings)
• State rebate programs

Independent Research

• CSIRO housing research
• Bureau of Meteorology data
• CHOICE product testing
• Energy Rating scheme

Privacy & Data

Your questionnaire data stays on your device. We don't require signup, and we don't sell your information. If you choose to request installer quotes, only then is your contact information shared with vetted local installers.

Read our full Privacy Policy for details.

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