Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling typically accounts for up to 25% of energy used in Australian homes generating over a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions and costing hundreds of dollars each year.

Follow these tips to stay conformable all year round while slashing your energy bills.

  • Set air conditioners and heaters to the optimal running temperature - 24-27°C for summer cooling and 18-20°C for winter warming.
  • For every degree cooler in summer, or warmer in winter, your system will use 10% more energy!
  • Dress appropriately for the weather to reduce reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
  • Don't heat or cool unoccupied spaces.
  • Keep your heater well maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions - keep reflectors shiny and dust free, and clean air filters regularly.
  • Improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioner by minimising internal heat gains by using energy efficient lighting; avoid the unnecessary use of electrical appliances; and locate equipment that generates excess heat outside or provide a separate ventilation system.
  • Decrease the demand on your air conditioning and heating systems by minimising external heat losses and gains. Consider installing insulation; double glazing; external shading; window tinting/reflective coating; and blinds/curtains.
  • Stop gaps and cracks to reduce draughts in winter and heat intrusion in summer.
  • Install draught excluders on exhaust fans.
  • Use cross ventilation to cool your house in summer.
  • Use blinds and curtains to stop heat entering your house in summer and escaping in winter.
  • If you have an evaporative air conditioning system, ensure that cooling outlets seal automatically when the system is not in use.

Choosing a Cooling System

  • Fans are by far the most energy and cost efficient appliance for summer cooling - choosing a reverse sweep fan can help keep your family comfortable in winter as well.
  • Typically fans produce less than 1 kilogram of greenhouse gas emissions for every 10 operational hours.
  • In climates with dry heat, such as Perth, evaporative air conditioners are affective at cooling while creating lower emissions and having reduced operating costs compared to other cooling systems.
  • Ensure that air conditioning ducts are insulated to a R1.5 standard.
  • Install zoned heating and cooling systems to avoid heating or cooling used areas.
  • Look for the Energy Rating labels before choosing an air conditioner - choose the most efficient system for your needs.

Choosing a heating System

  • Look for the Energy Rating labels before choosing a gas heater- choose an energy efficient heater using a low greenhouse impact fuel such as natural gas .
  • Choose the right heater for the job;
  • Radiant Heaters are best for rooms with unavoidable draughts, high ceilings or that have no ceiling insulation, and
  • Convection Heaters such as electric fan, convention gas or ducted central heaters are best for all other situations.
  • If you are buying a portable / space heater choose one with a thermostat and/or variable heat settings so that you can control the heat output.
  • Avoid gas heaters with a continuous pilot light.

Passive Solar Design

Well-designed homes can maintain comfortable temperatures in winter and summer with little or no need, for artificial heating and cooling. Letting winter sun and summer breezes in and keeping summer sun out is the key to good passive solar design. Applying passive solar design principles needn't cost the earth and it will save you money over the lifetime of the dwelling.

Insulate Your Home

  • Homes without insulation quickly lose heat through ceilings, windows, walls and floors during winter. Together these losses can account for 70% of heating bills in un-insulated homes.
  • As hot air rises ceilings are a priority for insulation.
  • The minimum insulation standard recommended for Perth is R 3.0 - Perth households wishing to take advantage of current Federal Insulation Rebates are required to install R 3.5 insulation 
  • Cover internal walls to reduce heat loss - a large woolen rug hanging on the wall can provide extra insulation.

Prevent Heat Intrusion / Escape

  • Install heavy full-length pelmetted curtains with insulated backing - windows lose heat five times faster than the same area of wall.
  • Pelmets prevent heat intrusion in summer and draughts in winter.
  • Shelter your home with carefully selected garden plants - deciduous trees or vines on northern and western walls can provide shade in summer whilst letting winter sun in.
  • Pergolas, vergolas, shutters and awning can also be effective at shading in summer.
  • If possible design your house to invite in the winter sun by having large windows and living areas situated on the Northern side. Locate bedrooms and bathrooms on the Southern side. Minimise and shade Eastern and Western walls from the sun.