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

WAPotential savings: $305+ per year for eligible households

Western Australia Energy Rebates for Cooling

Western Australia has limited state-wide cooling-specific rebates. However, the state's dry climate makes evaporative cooling highly effective and affordable. Some local government and utility incentives may be available.

Energy Assistance

WA offers energy assistance for eligible households but has fewer appliance-specific rebates than eastern states.

Visit Official Website

Available Rebates

Energy Assistance Payment

$305.25/year (2024-25)

Annual payment to help with energy costs for eligible households.

Eligibility

WA Seniors Card holder, OR
Receiving eligible Centrelink payments, OR
Holder of qualifying concession card

Products Covered

Electricity bills

How to Apply

Apply through WA Department of Communities.

Learn More

Tips for Maximizing Savings

WA's dry climate makes evaporative cooling excellent value - much cheaper than AC
Consider ceiling fans - very effective in WA's dry heat
Local councils occasionally offer sustainability rebates - check with your council
Synergy and Horizon Power sometimes run efficiency incentives - check their websites

Frequently Asked Questions

Why focus on evaporative cooling in WA?

Perth and most of WA have low humidity (typically 30-40% in summer), making evaporative cooling extremely effective. It costs 70-80% less to run than AC. Most WA homes use evaporative as primary cooling with AC as backup for extreme days.

Are there any equipment rebates in WA?

WA currently has limited equipment-specific rebates compared to Victoria and NSW. Check with Synergy, Horizon Power, or your local council for any current offerings. The situation may change, so it's worth asking.

What about solar rebates to offset cooling costs?

While not cooling-specific, WA's excellent solar conditions make rooftop solar a great way to offset cooling costs. The federal STC rebate still applies in WA, reducing solar installation costs significantly.

Get Your Personalized WA Cooling Plan

Answer 5 quick questions about your home and see which rebate-eligible upgrades are most impactful for your situation.

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