Cooling for your home

Quick tips

• Use fans first.
• Open windows and use fans at night to cool your house. Close everything up early in the morning to trap cold air in.
• Limit the use of appliances that generate heat.
• Set your air-conditioner temperature to 23˚C or above and keep doors closed.
• Use blinds, outdoor shade cloths and trees to shade your home.

For more summer energy tips, visit our page on keeping cool for less.

Cooling products for your home

Fans (ceiling or portable)

Fans are cheap to run. They cost between 1 and 3 cents an hour. Fans help to bring cooler evening air into your home.

Ceiling fans with large blades move more air and are effective even at low speeds, which means they’re quieter to use through the night.

Reverse cycle air-conditioners

Reverse cycle air-conditioners are usually slightly more expensive to run than evaporative air- conditioners but you can also use them for heating in winter. They are the most efficient form of space heating for winter (3 to 6 times cheaper than other heating types). This makes them your best overall option for year-round temperature control.

You have the option between ducted and wall-mounted single units (known as split systems).

Split systems cost between 15 and 50 cents an hour to run, depending on their size, efficiency and temperature setting. Ducted systems that cool a whole house generally cost more than a split system to run but are still more cost-efficient than gas.

Reverse-cycle air-conditioners are very effective because they can cool to low temperatures if the room or house is well sealed (draught proofed) and the system is the right size for the space you’re cooling.

Make sure to:

• look for a model with a high star rating
• keep the filter and units clean both indoors and outdoors
• follow the instruction manual
• have your system serviced every year or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Evaporative air-conditioners

Evaporative air-conditioners are reasonably effective for cooling in the ACT's hot, dry climate, but are less effective when it’s humid. Because they require water to run, they may increase your household’s water usage.

They work by sucking hot air through a wet spongelike pad, blowing moist air into your home. As this moisture evaporates it has a cooling effect, reducing the air temperature by around 10˚C.

A downside of evaporative air-conditioners is that each outlet vent requires a gap in ceiling insulation, and outlet vents are often poorly sealed. This causes significant heat loss in winter. Covers for the outlets can be purchased to stop warm air escaping through the ducting.

For evaporative air-conditioners to work, you’ll need to leave some windows or external doors slightly open. This allows hot air in and means you lose the benefits of draught proofing and insulation. It is also not as effective in extreme heat.

These systems only cool, whereas reverse-cycle systems both heat and cool. Portable units (suitable for one or 2 rooms) cost between 2 and 5 cents an hour to run, while ducted systems cost around 20 cents an hour to cool a house.

Portable air-conditioners

Portable air-conditioners cost around 25 cents an hour to run. They make you feel cool when you’re sitting in front of them, but they often make the house warmer overall.

Ready to start? Get help from our one stop shop

Our Sustainable Home Advice service is your one stop shop to get information on how to reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. You can also learn about what ACT Government supports and rebates you may be eligible for.