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

Portable Evaporative Cooler vs Portable Air Conditioner

Quick Verdict

Portable evaporative coolers are 80% cheaper to run and work brilliantly in dry climates (WA, SA, VIC). Portable AC works in any climate but costs 3-5x more to run and is noisy. Choose evaporative if humidity is typically under 50%; choose portable AC for humid climates (QLD, Sydney coast).

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Portable Evaporative Cooler	Portable Air Conditioner
Upfront Cost	$100-$400	$400-$900
Running Cost	$0.03-$0.08/hour	$0.50-$1.00/hour
Cooling Power	Effective cooling in dry conditions	Cools to set temperature
Best Climate	Hot-dry (humidity <50%)	All climates
DIY Install?	Yes	Yes

Portable Evaporative Cooler

Uses water evaporation to cool air. No exhaust hose needed. Best for dry climates.

Pros

80-90% cheaper to run than portable AC
No window kit or exhaust hose needed
Adds beneficial humidity in dry climates
Much quieter than portable AC
Truly portable - use anywhere

Cons

Ineffective when humidity exceeds 50%
Requires regular water refills
Pads need cleaning/replacement
Cannot cool to a specific temperature
Adds humidity (bad in humid climates)

Portable Air Conditioner

Refrigerative cooling in a portable unit. Requires exhaust hose through window.

Pros

Works in any climate/humidity
Precise temperature control
Also dehumidifies (good for humid areas)
No landlord permission needed
Can move between rooms

Cons

5-10x more expensive to run
Very noisy (compressor in room)
Requires window kit for exhaust
Single-duct models extremely inefficient
Heavy and bulky

Climate Zone Guide

Hot-Dry Climates (WA, SA, Inland)

Portable evaporative coolers are excellent in Perth, Adelaide, and inland areas. A $200 evaporative cooler can be as effective as a $600 portable AC at 1/10th the running cost.

Hot-Humid Climates (QLD, NT)

Portable AC is your only option in Brisbane, Darwin, and coastal areas. The high humidity prevents evaporative cooling from working. Budget for higher electricity costs.

Temperate Climates (VIC, NSW, ACT)

In Melbourne and Canberra, portable evaporative works most days. A small portable AC as backup for humid periods gives you the best of both worlds.

Cost Analysis

Over summer (120 days, 6 hours/day), portable evaporative costs $20-$60 to run. Portable AC costs $360-$720. That's a difference of $300-$660 per summer. Over 5 years, you save $1,500-$3,300 with evaporative - if your climate suits it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for sleeping?

Portable evaporative coolers are much quieter (40-50dB vs 55-65dB for portable AC). In dry climates, evaporative is clearly better for bedrooms. The added humidity can also help if you wake up with a dry throat from AC.

Can I use a portable evaporative cooler in Sydney?

Coastal Sydney is too humid most summer days. Western Sydney has more suitable conditions but still unreliable. For Sydney, a portable AC is generally the better choice, or consider window film and fans for milder days.

How much water do portable evaporative coolers use?

Portable units use 1-4 litres per hour depending on size and conditions. A typical 10L tank lasts 3-8 hours. This is much less than ducted evaporative systems (15-25L/hour) and adds negligible cost.

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