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.

CoolMyHouse

How to Choose the Best Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers are highly effective in dry climates (WA, SA, VIC, inland areas) and cost 70-80% less to run than air conditioning. They use water evaporation to cool air and add beneficial humidity to dry environments. The key is knowing if your climate suits them.

Key Features to Understand

Climate Suitability

Evaporative cooling only works effectively when humidity is below 50%. Check your local summer humidity before investing - they're ineffective in Brisbane, Darwin, and coastal NSW.

Ducted vs Portable

Ducted systems cool entire homes via roof-mounted unit with ducts. Portable units suit single rooms and renters. Ducted is more effective but requires professional installation.

Airflow Requirements

Unlike AC, evaporative coolers need windows/doors open to work. The system pushes cool air in while stale, humid air exits. Plan for cross-ventilation paths.

What to Look For

✓Appropriate capacity for your home size and climate
✓Quality cooling pads (Aspen or CELdek) - cheap pads degrade faster
✓Variable speed control for flexibility
✓Drain valve for easy winterization
✓Summer/winter switch or fan-only mode
✓Quality construction for longevity

What to Avoid

✗Installing in humid climates - they simply won't work
✗Undersizing - ducted systems need proper airflow calculations
✗Cheap pads that need frequent replacement
✗Systems without drain valves - maintenance becomes difficult

Typical Price Ranges

Budget

$150-$400 (portable)

Mid-Range

$3,500-$5,500 (ducted installed)

Premium

$5,500-$8,000+ (ducted installed)

💡 Note: Running costs are the real advantage: $0.10-0.20/hour vs $2-3/hour for ducted AC. Water usage is 15-25L/hour for ducted systems.

Climate Considerations

Evaporative cooling is excellent for Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, and inland areas. It's ineffective in Brisbane, Darwin, coastal NSW, and anywhere with summer humidity above 50-60%. Check your local humidity before purchasing.

Research Resources

We recommend these credible sources for comparing specific products and finding current reviews:

CHOICE Evaporative Cooler Reviews

Independent testing of portable evaporative coolers

YourHome - Cooling

Government guide on when evaporative cooling works

Bureau of Meteorology Climate Data

Check historical humidity for your area

Frequently Asked Questions

Will evaporative cooling work in my area?

Check your summer humidity levels. Below 40%: excellent. 40-50%: good on most days. 50-60%: marginal. Above 60%: ineffective. Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Canberra typically work well. Brisbane, Darwin, and coastal Sydney generally don't.

How much does evaporative cooling cost to run?

About $0.10-$0.20 per hour for a ducted system - roughly 70-80% cheaper than refrigerative AC. Over summer, expect electricity costs of $100-$200 plus water costs of $50-$100. Much cheaper than the $800-$1,500 for equivalent AC usage.

Why do windows need to be open?

Evaporative coolers add moisture to the air. Without ventilation, humidity builds up and cooling effectiveness drops. Open windows on the opposite side of the house from the unit create a cross-breeze that maintains cooling and removes humid air.