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

Why Your Upstairs Is 5°C Hotter (And How to Fix It)

Heat rises. It's physics, and it's why the upper floor of a two-storey home is almost always warmer than downstairs. Add direct sun on an upper roof, and bedrooms can become unbearable by evening. Strategic cooling and insulation can make both floors comfortable.

Common Challenges

Heat naturally rises from ground floor to upper floor
Upper floor ceiling closer to hot roof
Bedrooms (often upstairs) are hot at bedtime
Ducted AC zones often can't handle the temperature differential
Stairwells act as heat chimneys

Quick Wins

Maximize ceiling insulation above upper floor

The upper floor ceiling is closest to the heat source. R6.0+ insulation is critical.

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

Ceiling fans in upper bedrooms

DC motor fans are quiet enough for sleep. Air movement makes rooms feel 3-5°C cooler.

$200-$500 eachImpact: High

Close stairwell at night

Use a door or curtain to stop cool downstairs air rising and hot upstairs air falling.

$0-$200Impact: Medium

Prioritize upper floor AC zones

If you have ducted AC, run upper zones harder or longer than ground floor.

Free if ducted existsImpact: High

Recommended Strategies

ceiling insulation

ceiling fans

zone optimization

external shading

night purging

Budget Considerations

For two-storey homes, prioritize ceiling insulation above the upper floor (biggest impact), then ceiling fans in upper bedrooms (essential for comfort). If installing split systems, prioritize the upper floor bedrooms - ground floor often manages with fans alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a 5°C difference between floors?

Three factors: 1) Hot air rises naturally, 2) The upper ceiling is directly under the hot roof, 3) Downstairs benefits from ground contact which is cooler. The upper floor gets double hit - heat from below and heat from above.

Should I install AC upstairs only?

For many two-storey homes, this is a smart approach. The ground floor is naturally cooler and often comfortable with fans. A split system in upstairs bedrooms provides comfortable sleeping. This costs less than whole-home AC and uses less energy.

How do I balance ducted AC between floors?

If your ducted system has zones, run the upper zone 10-20 minutes longer or set it 1-2°C cooler. Close some ground floor vents if needed. Some newer systems have automatic balancing. Consider a smart controller to optimize.

Helpful Resources

Guide

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