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.

Does evaporative cooling work in Brisbane?

Not reliably. Brisbane's humidity, especially during summer, significantly reduces evaporative cooling effectiveness. While it may work during drier winter months, you'll need refrigerated AC for reliable summer cooling. Evaporative coolers become ineffective when humidity exceeds 50-60%.

Which climate zone is Sydney in?

Sydney is primarily Zone 5 (warm temperate), though areas can vary. Coastal Sydney has higher humidity than western Sydney. This means refrigerated AC is generally more reliable than evaporative cooling, though both can work depending on your specific location and humidity patterns.

Is reverse-cycle AC worth it in Melbourne?

Yes, reverse-cycle AC is ideal for Melbourne's variable climate. It provides efficient cooling for the 20-30 hot days per year and excellent heating for winter. Modern reverse-cycle systems are 300-600% efficient for heating, making them more economical than gas heating in most cases.

Can I use evaporative cooling in Perth?

Yes, Perth's hot-dry climate is ideal for evaporative cooling. With summer humidity typically below 30-40%, evaporative coolers work effectively and cost 50-75% less to run than refrigerated AC. They're the most popular cooling choice in Perth for good reason.

Australian Climate Zones Cooling Guide | Best Solutions by Region

Understanding Australia's Climate Zones

Australia spans 8 distinct climate zones, from tropical Darwin to cool-temperate Hobart. The cooling solution that works perfectly in Adelaide may be completely ineffective in Brisbane. Understanding your climate zone is the first step to efficient, effective cooling.

Zone 1: Hot Humid Summer (Darwin, Cairns, Far North QLD)

Characterised by high humidity (60-80%+) and temperatures regularly exceeding 32°C from October to April. The wet season brings oppressive humidity that makes evaporative cooling completely ineffective.

Best solution: Refrigerated air conditioning (split system or ducted)
Ceiling fans: Essential for air movement, but won't cool on their own
Evaporative cooling: Avoid — humidity makes it ineffective
Dehumidifiers: Useful in combination with AC
Key focus: Humidity control as much as temperature

Tip: In tropical zones, look for AC systems with "dry mode" that prioritises dehumidification.

Zone 2: Warm Humid (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Coastal NSW)

Hot summers with moderate to high humidity. Not as extreme as Zone 1, but still too humid for evaporative cooling to work effectively during peak summer months.

Best solution: Refrigerated AC (split systems most popular)
Ceiling fans: Highly effective and recommended
Evaporative cooling: Only works during drier periods (May-September)
Window film: Very effective for reducing solar heat gain
Key focus: Good ventilation for shoulder seasons, AC for peak summer

Zones 3-4: Hot Dry (Perth inland, Adelaide, Central Australia)

Hot summers but low humidity. This is where evaporative cooling shines, offering much lower running costs than refrigerated AC.

Best solution: Evaporative cooling — highly effective and economical
Refrigerated AC: Works well but costs more to run
Ceiling fans: Excellent support for either system
Night purging: Very effective — cool nights make natural ventilation powerful
Key focus: Block daytime heat, use evaporative or natural cooling

Tip: In hot-dry climates, evaporative cooling costs 50-75% less to run than refrigerated AC and adds beneficial humidity.

Zone 5: Warm Temperate (Sydney, Coastal Perth)

Moderate summers with variable humidity. These zones offer flexibility in cooling choices.

Best solution: Split system AC for most homes
Evaporative cooling: Works during dry spells, less effective in humidity
Ceiling fans: Often sufficient for mild summer days
Passive cooling: Very effective — good design may eliminate AC need
Key focus: Flexibility and shoulder-season comfort

Zone 6: Mild Temperate (Melbourne, Geelong)

Generally mild summers with occasional heatwaves. Known for "four seasons in one day" variability.

Best solution: Reverse-cycle split system (heating + cooling)
Evaporative cooling: Works well due to generally low humidity
Ceiling fans: Often sufficient for average summer days
Passive cooling: Highly effective — good for most of summer
Key focus: Heatwave preparedness rather than constant cooling

Tip: In Melbourne, a well-insulated home with ceiling fans may only need AC for 10-20 extreme days per year.

Zones 7-8: Cool Temperate (Canberra, Hobart, Alpine)

Cool to cold climates where heating is the primary concern. Summer cooling needs are minimal.

Best solution: Ceiling fans for most needs
Reverse-cycle AC: Good for occasional hot days, essential for heating
Passive cooling: Often sufficient — cool nights, low humidity
Evaporative cooling: Works well but rarely needed
Key focus: Heating efficiency with cooling as secondary

Choosing Your System

When selecting a cooling system, match it to your climate zone:

Zones 1-2 (Humid): Refrigerated AC is essential, avoid evaporative
Zones 3-4 (Hot-Dry): Evaporative is most cost-effective
Zone 5 (Warm-Temperate): Either works, check local humidity patterns
Zones 6-8 (Mild-Cool): Fans + occasional AC, or evaporative

Australian Climate Zones: The Complete Cooling Guide