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 Upgrades for Older Australian Homes

Homes built before 1990 often have little or no insulation, single glazing, and designs that weren't optimized for cooling. The good news: there's often significant room for improvement, and upgrades can dramatically reduce cooling costs.

Common Challenges

Little or no ceiling insulation (or degraded batts)
Single-glazed windows with poor frames
Gaps and cracks allowing hot air infiltration
No roof ventilation creating a "hot box" effect
Potential asbestos in fibro or pre-1980s renovations

Quick Wins

Check and upgrade ceiling insulation

Many older homes have no insulation or degraded R1.5-R2.0 batts. Upgrading to R5.0+ can reduce cooling costs 30-40%.

$1,500-$3,500 installedImpact: Very High

Seal gaps and cracks

Older homes are often "drafty." Seal around doors, windows, and any penetrations. Prevents cool air loss.

$50-$200 DIYImpact: Medium-High

External shading on west windows

Original designs often lack adequate shading. Adding external blinds or awnings can reduce heat gain by 80%.

$150-$400 per windowImpact: Very High

Roof ventilation

Installing whirlybirds or powered vents removes hot air trapped in the roof space.

$150-$500 per unitImpact: Medium

Recommended Strategies

ceiling insulation

draught sealing

external shading

roof ventilation

window film

Budget Considerations

For older homes, prioritize: 1) Ceiling insulation ($1,500-$3,500), 2) External shading on west windows ($300-$600), 3) Draught sealing ($100-$300). These three upgrades often reduce cooling costs by 40-60% and pay back within 3-5 years. Consider state rebates which can cut costs significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my old home has asbestos?

If your home was built or renovated before 1990, it may contain asbestos in cement sheets (fibro), insulation, vinyl flooring, or other materials. DO NOT disturb suspected asbestos. Get a professional assessment before any renovation work. Many states require asbestos testing before certain renovations.

Is it worth upgrading an old house or better to install AC?

Both have value, but upgrading the building fabric (insulation, shading) reduces ongoing costs regardless of cooling method. Even with AC, poor insulation means higher running costs forever. Aim to improve the house first, then size AC appropriately for the improved conditions.

What R-value insulation do I need?

For older homes, aim for R5.0-R6.0 ceiling insulation regardless of climate zone. This exceeds minimum code requirements but provides much better performance. If you have existing R2.0 batts, you can often top up with additional batts rather than replacing.

Helpful Resources

Guide

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