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

Effective Cooling on a Tight Budget

You don't need to spend thousands to stay comfortable in summer. Many of the most effective cooling strategies are free or very cheap. Here's how to maximize cooling while minimizing spending.

Common Challenges

Limited funds for major upgrades or equipment
Need to prioritize spending for maximum impact
May have inefficient older equipment
High running costs can strain budget as much as upfront costs
Rental situations may limit investment willingness

Quick Wins

Night purging (free)

Open windows after dark to flush heat. Close before sunrise. Can reduce next-day temperatures significantly.

FreeImpact: High

Strategic blind management (free)

Close blinds on west and north windows from midday. Open east windows in morning for light.

FreeImpact: Medium-High

Cross-ventilation (free)

Open windows on opposite sides of the house. Even small openings create airflow.

FreeImpact: Medium

Budget pedestal fan

A $30-$60 pedestal fan provides immediate relief. Cheaper than running AC.

$30-$60Impact: Medium

Recommended Strategies

night purging

close blinds

cross ventilation

exhaust fan strategy

pedestal tower fan

Budget Considerations

Start with free strategies (night purging, blind management, ventilation). Then spend on highest-impact items: pedestal fan ($30-$60), door draught stopper ($15-$30), DIY window film ($30-$80). Total spend under $200 can make a significant difference. Only consider AC if essential for health or comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cheapest way to cool a room?

Fans. A $30 pedestal fan costs about $0.02/hour to run (versus $0.50-$0.70 for AC). Combined with closing blinds during the day and opening windows at night, many people get through summer without AC. Add a wet towel in front of the fan for evaporative boost.

Are there any free cooling methods?

Yes: Night purging (open windows after sunset), managing blinds (close from midday on west/north), cross-ventilation (open windows on opposite sides), using exhaust fans to pull hot air out, and timing activities (cooking, laundry) for cooler hours.

How do I reduce my AC bill without turning it off?

Set thermostat to 24-26°C (each degree lower costs 5-10% more). Use fans with AC to feel cooler at higher temps. Close rooms you're not using. Only cool occupied spaces. Use a timer or smart controller to run AC strategically rather than constantly.

Helpful Resources

Guide

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