YOUR LOW ENERGY HOME - Low-cost savings Knowledge base

Help there is a hole in my house

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:43:00 GMT

Why Small Fixes Alone Rarely Deliver Big Results

At Low Energy Home, we see this pattern repeatedly in Adelaide houses: most of the energy loss comes from a small number of large weaknesses, not from lots of tiny losses.

In typical South Australian homes — particularly older brick construction — the biggest losses are usually through the windows, walls and ceiling and uncontrolled air movement into and out of the house. These pathways dominate both winter heat loss and summer heat gain.

When these major issues are left unaddressed, fixing a small crack or gap will rarely change how the house feels or how much energy it uses (although in winter, if it stops you feeling a cold draft you will appreciate it). The improvement is real, but it is overwhelmed by the larger losses elsewhere. Comfort doesn’t noticeably improve, and energy bills often barely move.

This is why a whole‑house approach matters. Energy efficiency works best when the largest problems are tackled first — tightening the building envelope, improving insulation, and controlling air movement. Once these are under control, smaller fixes start to make sense and begin to add up.

In short, it’s not that small fixes don’t work — it’s that they work best in the right order.

To find the right order, get an energy audit

How to Choose the Perfect Building Block: Balancing Home Style, Energy Efficiency, and Cost

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 02:10:56 GMT

Building your dream home starts with a crucial decision: selecting the right block of land for the type of home you want. This choice shapes not only your future lifestyle, but also how energy efficient—and affordable—your home will be.

Step 1: Define Your Priorities—Including Home Type

Begin by clarifying your priorities. Where do you want to live? Inner suburb, outer suburb, broad acreage? Make sure there are the services you need (schools, shops, public transport and other amenities). Consider the distance to your, your partner's and potentially children’s work, both now and in the future. Remember there is often a trade-off between land cost and travel time. The type of land is going to constrain the type of house you build.

What style of home do you envision—a sprawling single-story on a large block, a compact townhouse, or an apartment? This decision often limits how much impact you can have on the design. Are you aiming for a home that’s comfortable year-round with minimal energy bills? Is keeping upfront costs a top concern? Each type has different requirements for block size, shape, and orientation. For example, a wide, shallow block may suit a single-story home, while a narrow, deep block might be better for a two-story design. The style also affects how easily you can incorporate energy-efficient features, such as passive solar gain or natural ventilation.

Step 2: Assess the Site for Energy and Style Potential

Not all blocks are created equal for energy efficiency or for accommodating your preferred home type. Consider:

Orientation: Blocks that allow your largest windows to face north (in the southern hemisphere) maximize natural light and passive solar heating, which is ideal for low cost energy-efficient designs. This also usually helps you create an outdoor entertaining area which works with your house layout.
Slope and Topography: Near flat land is typically the cheapest to build on. The slope may also influence which home types are feasible—split-level homes, for example, suit sloping blocks.
Surroundings: Nearby trees, buildings, or hills can affect both energy performance and the aesthetics of your home. Large objects shading houses from the north will increase the cost of meeting the required energy efficiency rating.
Type of build: If you are having a custom home design you have more ability to have a house that utilises the block perfectly, however even if you are constrained to buy a project home, careful selection of both the block and the home can ensure a delightful home.

Step 3: Weigh Up Cost Factors—Style and Site Interactions

Energy efficiency and cost savings go hand in hand, but the type of your home and the characteristics of the block will influence both:

Site Preparation: Steep or irregular blocks may be cheaper to buy but can cost more to build on, especially for complex home styles. Simple, rectangular homes are usually more cost-effective to construct on regular, flat blocks.
Access to Services: Blocks with easy access to water, electricity, and sewerage reduce connection costs, regardless of home style.
Size and Shape: A block that fits your ideal home design without excessive earthworks or wasted space will save money and materials. Particularly if the block is narrow, you need to be thinking of the house design at the same time as choosing the block.

Step 4: Turn Vague Ideas into Action

With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Use a simple three-step sequence:

List your must-haves and nice-to-haves, including home features.
Visit potential sites and assess them against your criteria for both energy and home type.
Consult with a builder or energy assessor early—they can help you spot hidden costs or opportunities for efficiency and style integration.

Step 5: Invest in Expert Advice

Engaging in a concept design process with a professional can help you visualize how your chosen block will perform in terms of energy, cost, and style. If you email me the plans of the block or blocks, I offer a free video consultation to help you see what you need to look for in a comfortable, energy efficient, liveable home for the block. This can prevent expensive mistakes and set you up for long-term savings.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect building block is about more than location—it’s about setting the stage for a home that’s comfortable, affordable, stylish, and future-proof. By considering your preferred home style alongside energy efficiency and cost from the start, you’ll enjoy lower bills, a lighter environmental footprint, and a home that truly suits your needs.

If you live in South Australia, email me your block plan(s) for a free consultation

Six Ways to keep Warm in Your Home

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 23:45:16 GMT

Tips to Create a Cosy Haven During South Australia's Chillier Months

Adelaide’s winters bring crisp air and cooler temperatures, making it the perfect time to transform your home into a warm and inviting retreat. With thoughtful adjustments, you can keep the chill out and enjoy the season in comfort.

Insulate and Seal Your Home

One of the most effective ways to keep your home warm is to ensure proper insulation. Check your walls, ceilings, and windows for adequate insulation, and seal any gaps or cracks that may let cold air seep in. Heavy curtains with pelmets can also help to block cold drafts and retain heat within your rooms see Winter Comfort.
To find out the most cost-effective way to keep your home warm, consider an energy audit. The cost of the audit will pay for itself in saved energy and in getting what works for you without wasting money on ineffective ideas.

Use an Efficient Heating System

Ensure you have an energy-efficient heating solution tailored to your needs.

You may be aware that a reverse cycle air conditioner is the most cost effective, but if your house leaks too much heat, a reverse cycle air conditioner won’t achieve comfort. To address this, consider an energy audit, as just taking one action will rarely solve all your problems. You need a plan that you can gradually implement.

Ensure your existing system, whether it’s a reverse cycle air conditioner, a gas heater, or slow combustion heater, is properly maintained and optimized for winter use. If you have an underperforming reverse cycle air conditioner visit Help, my (reverse cycle) air conditioner isn’t performing!

If thinking of a new heater visit, What Sort of Air Conditioner Should I Buy?

Layer Up Your Interiors

Plush rugs, thick blankets, and cozy throws can make a significant difference in creating comfort during winter. Soft furnishings can not only add warmth but also enhance the aesthetic of your home.
However, depending on your floor type, it can make the room colder. So, this is where you need the advice of an energy efficiency advisor. Learn more at Energy Audits.

Light Up Your Space

Lighting plays a pivotal role in creating a feeling of comfort. Ensure you have sufficient LED lightbulbs to give your home a welcoming feel, even when you close the curtains against the cold outside. Again, an energy audit, can ensure that your lighting doesn’t cost you the earth.

Maintain Air Quality

While keeping your home warm, it's essential to maintain good ventilation in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry. With increasing insulation, condensation is increasingly becoming a problem. If this condensation occurs in the roof space, it can damage your insulation or even cause structural damage. Clive Blanchard can ensure your efficiency improvements don’t cause a condensation problem.

Cooking for Warmth

Winter is the perfect time to use your kitchen for both warmth and comfort. Bake bread, simmer soups, and roast seasonal vegetables to fill your home with delicious smells and extra warmth. Cooking together as a family can also provide a sense of connection and joy.

If you are heating with gas or electric heaters, you are probably getting the cooking for free. Even if you are using an efficient reverse cycle air conditioner for heating, the energy cost is still less than the energy cost of cooking in the middle of summer.

Final Thoughts

Start by understanding your problems and focussing on them. See How Cold does your home feel in winter?

Understanding where your energy is going is a start to cost effectively reducing energy costs and improving comfort. See Where is my home's energy going?

Keeping your home warm during Adelaide’s winter months is not just about comfort—it’s an opportunity to create a sanctuary that reflects the season’s beauty. With simple changes and thoughtful additions, you can turn your living space into a haven of warmth and relaxation.

So, settle in, enjoy the coziness, and make the most of winter’s charm right from the comfort of your home. The best way to ensure you achieve this is with an energy audit.

Maximizing Energy Savings: Will Precooling and Preheating Save Money for You?

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 01:12:56 GMT

Adelaide households can potentially save on energy costs by shifting heating and cooling times, if they have solar panels or are on a time-of-day tariff.
Precooling and preheating are frequently discussed online, but many articles lack the detailed information needed to determine if these methods are suitable for you. Continue reading to find out if they will work for your home.
For most Adelaide households, heating is the largest energy user with cooling often a close second. By shifting when you heat and cool, you may be able to have a significant impact on your energy costs, if you have solar panels or are on a time-of-day tariff. The idea is to start using your reverse cycle air conditioner when you are either generating electricity from your solar panels or are on a shoulder or off-peak tariff, rather than during peak tariff times.
One of the reasons this can work is that getting a home up to temperature, or cooling it down uses more energy than just keeping it at a constant temperature.
However, whether there is any benefit depends on several factors:

1. Size of Your Solar System relative to the Size of Your Air Conditioner(s):

The size of your solar system relative to your air conditioner's energy draw is crucial. If your solar panels generate enough electricity to cover the energy consumption of your air conditioner, you can save a lot on your energy bills. For example if you have a large ducted system (say 13kW or more) and average sized solar panels (say 6.5kW) you are less likely to save money, by trying to load shift your air conditioning. However, you may be able to cool the home down (or warm it up) so it is ready for you when you get home. (typically allow 20-30 minutes).

2. Daily Schedule:

Your daily routine plays a significant role. The times you get up in the morning and return home from work or school in the afternoon or evening will determine whether preheating or precooling your home will benefit you. (But remember if you are turning it on in the middle or late afternoon, your solar energy generated will already be dropping.)

3. Thermal Efficiency and Thermal Mass of Your Home:

If your home is well-insulated and energy-efficient, you will retain the heat or cool air for longer periods, maximizing the benefits of precooling or preheating. On the other hand, if your home is like a leaky sieve, you will lose the energy quickly, and the benefits will be minimal, or potentially increase energy costs.
Thermal mass is the ability to store heat. If the home won’t store heat, then there is no point in trying to precool or preheat. Thermal mass generally means a concrete slab floor or cavity brick construction.
Basically, if the house will remain cool or warm for the best part of a day, in spite of outside conditions then the thermal efficiency and thermal mass are adequate. Note that sometimes part of the house retains heat while another part doesn’t, in which case it may be worth precooling/preheating part of the house but not all of it.

4. You have an Evaporative Cooler

If you have an evaporative cooler, particularly if you either have cavity brick walls or a concrete slab floor, you are almost always better off running it all day in hot weather, so the indoor temperature doesn't get away from you.

Rules of thumb:

Energy Auditing

By understanding these factors and making informed decisions, you can potentially save money on your energy bills while maintaining a comfortable home environment.

If you are considering precooling or preheating your home to save on energy costs, it may be worth getting a Low Energy Home energy audit which will specifically address whether this strategy will be beneficial for you. The advice given will increase the benefit of precooling or preheating. It will also help you save energy costs and increase comfort, so is cost justified anyway.

I guarantee I can identify cost effective savings, that pay for the assessment, or the assessment is free.

If you have questions about precooling, or to find out more about having an audit, contact us.

What Sort of Air Conditioner Should I Buy?

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 06:01:08 GMT

Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Needs

When it comes to selecting an air conditioner, there are lots of factors to consider. Your location, home design, ownership status, usage habits, and budget all play crucial roles in determining the best unit for you. Often conventional wisdom is not actually correct. This guide will help you navigate these considerations to make an informed choice.

Consider Your Location

The climate of your area significantly impacts your air conditioning needs. For instance, in Adelaide, where the climate can be both hot in summer and cold in winter, opting for an air conditioning unit with effective heating capabilities is essential. A reverse cycle unit (heat pump) can help minimize energy use, as more energy will likely be used for heating during the colder months than cooling in the hotter months.

Assess Your Home's Design

The size and layout of your home are important factors in choosing an air conditioner. If your home is energy-efficient with good insulation, a smaller unit might suffice. Conversely, larger homes or those with poor insulation will require more powerful units to maintain comfortable temperatures.
Additionally, your home's layout can affect whether zoning is possible. Zoning allows you to cool or heat individual rooms or areas, which can significantly reduce running costs. For instance, you can cool only the living areas during the day and the bedrooms at night, rather than the entire house all the time.

Home Ownership Status: Renting vs. Owning

Your home ownership status also influences your air conditioning options. If you own your home, you have the flexibility to install permanent fixtures like ceiling fans, wall splits or ducted systems. However, if you rent, you might be restricted to portable air conditioners or fans. While these options do not perform as well as permanent installations, they offer the advantage of being movable when you relocate.

Usage Habits and Household Size

Understanding your usage habits and household size is crucial in selecting an appropriate air conditioner. For smaller households, a 'heat refuge'—a single room with a high-efficiency air conditioner—might be adequate. This approach allows you to cool just one room, reducing energy consumption.
On the other hand, larger families may need more extensive cooling solutions to ensure comfort for all members. In such cases, wall splits or ducted systems could be more suitable, depending on your budget and home design.

Evaluating Different Air Conditioning Systems

Several types of air conditioning systems are available, each with its advantages and drawbacks. Here's a brief overview of the most common options:

Wall Split Systems

Wall split systems are popular due to their efficiency and flexibility. They consist of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected by refrigerant piping. Wall splits can be installed gradually, allowing you to spread the cost over time. They offer good temperature control and are more energy-efficient than portable units or ducted units. However, installation requires a refrigeration mechanic or appropriately qualified electrician, and they are more permanent than portable options.

Ducted Air Conditioning

Ducted air conditioning is often seen as a premium option. It includes a central unit connected to various ducts throughout the house. This system allows for whole of home cooling and heating. However, it has several significant drawbacks, including:

less effective temperature control compared to wall splits unless you can afford a system with individual room control. This is particularly a problem with two story homes or homes with extensions.
- Potential to get cold feet hot head syndrome in winter, particularly with high ceilings or a poorly insulated house.
higher energy use and cost due to:
- heat gains from the ductwork located in the hot roof space
- the fact that there is a minimum area that can be cooled
- heat is picked up from the return air path
- I have had clients spending more than $6,000 per year on energy costs for a ducted system, even with solar.
Ducted systems are also more expensive to install and maintain.

Evaporative cooling

Although I used to design evaporative coolers and cooling systems, I no longer recommend them in most cases, unless it is to replace an existing system that you are happy with.
The reasons are:

The climate is getting more humid and so they are less effective.
- Because of the increased humidity, the risk of getting mouldy leather has increased.
The performance of good reverse cycle air conditioners has improved so much that although they still use more energy for cooling, the benefits for winter heating outway the extra cooling energy
- Even if fitted with non-return dampers they are still a major source of air leaks unless you seal each grille during winter. The cost of the winter heat loss will in most cases equal the summer savings.
They are usually paired with gas heating (or electric fan heaters) both of which cost substantially more for heating than a reverse cycle air conditioner.

Portable Air Conditioners

Portable air conditioners are a good option for renters or those needing a temporary solution. They are easy to install and can theoretically be moved from room to room (although in practice because you need a vent kit and where you put it is where it will stay). However, they are generally less efficient and powerful than other systems, making them suitable for small spaces or occasional use. They are more effective in the evening and at night.

As one salesman I knew would say:
'What have you got now?'
The answer would be 'Nothing'
His response would be 'Well this is better than nothing.'
In other words, only choose a portable air conditioner if it is the only option.

Fans

Although not air conditioners, fans can be an important part of your cooling strategy. If your home is reasonably well insulated, wall splits in the daytime areas and fans in nighttime areas can provide comfort on all but the hottest nights while achieving low energy costs. Good quality ceiling fans can quietly reduce the perceived temperature by 2-3 degrees.
Pedestal fans, although not as quiet, can be very cheap and still give a good level of nighttime comfort.

Choosing the unit

If buying an air conditioner, you need to consider the energy efficiency as the running costs will exceed the purchase cost after a few years. Check the star rating on the government web site Energy Rating - Air Conditioners - AS/NZS 3823.2 .
Generally you should choose the best heating star rating you can afford and aim for at least 3-stars heating, even if you are actually purchasing it primarily for cooling as you will use more energy for heating than cooling.
It is important to choose the correct star rating as air conditioners assessed to the old rating will appear to have a higher star rating. If you are in Adelaide compare the ‘SEER Heating Star Rating’ for the ‘mixed zone’ see below.

Budget

Your budget will inevitably play a significant role in your decision-making process. While ducted air conditioning systems can be whole of home, their poorer temperature control and high installation and running costs reduce their attractiveness.
Wall split systems offer a more cost-effective alternative, as they can be installed incrementally according to your budget. the incremental nature means you can install one, while you upgrade the thermal performance of the house and see if you need more.
In most of Australia, reverse cycle air conditioners make sense as they are the cheapest form of heating.
Portable air conditioners are the cheapest option upfront, but their lower efficiency and higher running costs can make them more expensive in the long run. Heat pumps, while having a higher initial cost, can offer savings on energy bills over time due to their efficiency.

Seeking Independent Energy Efficiency Advice

Given the many variables involved in choosing the right air conditioner, seeking independent energy efficiency advice is highly recommended. A home energy efficiency assessment will save you much more than the cost and ensure you don't waste your money.
can assess your home and provide tailored recommendations based on your specific needs and circumstances. This approach ensures that you choose the most suitable and cost-effective air conditioning solution.

Conclusion

Selecting the right air conditioner involves careful consideration of various factors, including your location, home design, ownership status, usage habits, and budget. By assessing these elements and seeking professional advice, you can make an informed choice that meets your cooling and heating needs efficiently and economically. Whether you opt for a portable unit, a wall split system, or a ducted air conditioner, the key is to match the system to your specific requirements for optimal comfort and energy efficiency.
Consider getting a home energy efficiency assessment. It will save you much more than the cost, and ensure you achieve your goals quicker.
If you have questions Contact us.

Where is my home's energy going?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:47 GMT

Before you can improve your home’s comfort or reduce energy costs you need to know where the energy is going.

The problem is that every home is different, and energy flows depend on location, house design and other factors. So, if you live in South Australia, say on the Adelaide plains, then the answer is different from if you live in Melbourne or Sydney. It will even be different if you live in in the Adelaide Hills.

This is why it is important to think critically about where the advice you are looking at is coming from.

Poor Sources of Advice

One of the worst sources of advice is from home improvement and reality TV shows. They can be fun to watch, but take everything with a grain of salt. Often the products spoken about are from sponsors and might claim product ‘A’ can save you up to say 76% of energy loss, without saying what location, what type of house and what type of heating and cooling they are using.

Also be aware of YouTube videos, it can be difficult to find the source of the video and often the information is wrong for your location (particularly if from overseas). This particularly applies to advice on how to keep cool from the colder parts of America or Europe. What works if the maximum temperature is 26 degrees is not going to work if the temperature is 40 degrees or hotter.

Where is my house losing heat?

If you are trying to improve comfort, the chart below shows the minimum, average and maximum percentages that the different cause of heat loss can have for a range of existing homes in and around Adelaide.

Note that these figures differ from the Your Home data as they are for the Adelaide area, and not for Australia as a whole.

This shows for example that if your windows are only 15% of heat losses but your floor is 30% of heat losses, you should concentrate on the floor first, although for most people the windows are a better place to start.

What is costing me money for energy?

Similarly, if your goal is to reduce energy costs, then the following chart shows the range of energy use cost estimates from recent Residential Energy Audits before improvements (again in the Adelaide area).

This shows that in most homes heating and cooling dominate. Heating energy cost is usually more than cooling energy cost. However, hot water can be expensive, depending on your usage and type of water heater.

Lighting is usually minimal unless you have lots of halogen down lights.

I have ignored pools and spas to avoid distorting the results, but if you have one it could easily be 35% of your energy costs.

Note that Scorecard ignores cooking and other appliances, because in general their energy use is low. Newer appliances tend to have much lower energy consumption than old appliances, due to minimum performance ratings and/or star ratings helping you choose efficient appliances. An admittedly extreme example is when our 20-year-old TV died, the same size replacement TV only uses 10% of the electricity that the old one did.

Recommendations

Even though this data is from one location, there is still a huge variability. If you intend investing a significant amount of time or money over the next few years, you want the best bang for the buck, so you don’t waste money and time on something with no noticeable effect. To do this:

Check that your sources of information are relevant.
- Use information from your region.
- Check that the information is relevant for your house type.
- Beware of sponsored content.
- Consider getting a home energy efficiency assessment. It will save you much more than the cost, and ensure you achieve your goals quicker.

How Cold does your home feel in winter?

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:30:00 GMT

What problems do you have in winter?

Do you feel any of the following in your home?

occupied rooms too cold for comfort
cold drafts; see stop-air-leaks-in-your-home.html
cold feet/hot head syndrome, see winter-comfort.html
getting colds (or asthma) because your house was too cold
excessive heating bill at the end of winter

If you do, you need to address them now.

What to do first

To get the most bang for your buck, you need to know where you are losing heat, and how effective different solutions will be.

The best way to do this is to get an independent energy audit from an experienced assessor.

As well as keeping money in your pocket, not the electricity retailer's pocket, a good auditor can save you money by telling you what products will waste your money. Typically, that pays for the audit many times over.

Call or contact us for a free half hour initial consultation.

Help, my (reverse cycle) air conditioner isn’t performing!

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:30:04 GMT

As your air conditioner is often your largest energy user, it is worth getting the best out of it. In fact, if you have a modern high performance reverse cycle (heat pump) air conditioner you should probably use it for heating as well as it is likely to cost less than a gas heater. If this is the case, it will almost certainly be your largest single energy user.

Often, if an air conditioner is not performing as well as expected, it is not the air conditioner. the problem could be:

excessive heat load (see the blog post Our house is too hot, what can I do?)
dirty filter (see below)
poor installation (This will be the subject of a future post)

Of course it may be the air conditioner, particularly if it is old, and it may be worth getting a refrigeration mechanic to check it out.

Setting the Thermostat

Setting the thermostat correctly is critical to achieving comfort and minimising energy use. Setting the Temperature one-degree cooler than needed in the summer will cause a surprisingly large increase in energy use. Similarly setting the Temperature one-degree warmer than needed in the winter will also cause a surprisingly large increase in energy use.

Some old-style thermostats have a single temperature setting, and the temperature swings around that setting. Most modern ones have separate heating and cooling settings, which allow closer control. Normally it is best to set the temperature at 22 degrees for a single setting thermostat or at 20º for heating and 24º for cooling (possibly higher if you have ceiling fans) with a dual setting thermostat. For most air conditioners this would give a temperature of around 24 degrees for most of the summer and 20 degrees for most of the winter. If you can achieve comfort at a higher temperature in summer, or a lower temperature in winter, use the higher summer setting or lower winter setting as every degree change can save up to 10% of your heating or cooling energy.

In practice there are several factors that may require a different setting. For example, if in winter you get freezing air next to the windows sinking down and pooling at floor level, it may be necessary to set the thermostat at a higher temperature (although a better long-term solution would be to have honeycomb blinds or thick drapes with a pelmet to reduce the heat loss). To find out what the best solution is, it may be worth getting an energy audit as getting the right solution would save a lot more than the cost of the audit.

Often thermostats are not very accurate; this is not really a problem if you can find a single setting that achieves comfort all year round. However, it is probably necessary to occasionally tweak the setting.

You can find a suitable setting by randomly adjusting the thermostat, but if that doesn't seem to work, try the following approach:
1.On a day that is warm (to find the best summer setting) or cool (to find the best winter setting), but not an extremely hot or cold day.
2.Ensure the air conditioner has been running for at least one hour so the temperature is stable.
3.Initially set the thermostat to 22 degrees (for a single setting thermostat) or 24 degrees if you are setting cooling on a dual setting thermostat, or 20 degrees if setting heating on a dual setting thermostat.
4.Wait for a period of time (at least 10-15 minutes) to allow the air conditioner to stabilise again
5.If this hasn’t achieved comfort, set the thermostat slightly higher or lower, as seems appropriate. Don’t adjust it by more than a degree at a time or you will end up overcorrecting and take longer to find the best setting.

In summer, using ceiling fans may enable you to set the thermostat slightly higher. It will also significantly reduce the number of hours you need to operate the air conditioner.

Remember there are some problems that can’t be fixed by adjusting the thermostat. For example, if the air conditioner doesn’t have enough capacity due to the temperature of the day, adjusting the set point won’t make any difference to the room temperature. If this is the case, start with Cleaning Filters below, also see the post Our house is too hot, what can I do? Setting the thermostat also can't generally cure hot and cold spots, (refer Hot and Cold Spots below).

A future post will address basic troubleshooting of an air conditioner.

Maintenance requirements

All air conditioning systems require some routine maintenance. Cleaning filters is vital (refer Below). The outdoor unit also needs to be kept clear from leaves and other debris.

Cleaning Filters

John bought an older home with ducted air conditioning. The second year they lived there, the air conditioner didn’t appear to be cooling as well. John asked me to look at it. The filter was completely blocked. After cleaning, the cooler worked fine! It had never occurred to John that he needed to do anything for the air conditioner and so the filter hadn’t been cleaned since the previous occupants left!

Filters require frequent cleaning because when they accumulate dirt, they block up, reducing airflow and hence the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. In residential air conditioners, filters are generally in hinged or sliding filter frames attached to the return air grille. These filters are generally of the washable type and should be cleaned by gently washing with water. However, check the manufacturer’s instructions first. If they won’t clean, use a mild detergent. As an alternative they can be vacuumed, however the cleaning frequency may need to be increased as vacuuming is not as effective. Most residential filters require frequent cleaning. I suggest you start with three monthly and increase or decrease if it seems appropriate. As a minimum, clean them at the start of each season.
When the filter gets torn or damaged it will need replacement

Hot and Cold Spots

Some homes have hot and cold spots, usually caused by an air conditioner serving areas that:

Have windows facing different directions.
Differences between the old and new parts of a home.
Upstairs and downstairs

It is possible to get ducted air conditioning controllers to give individual temperature control in each room, however this is still quite expensive. Most people must use judicious control of curtains or blinds to control temperature differences.
To save randomly trying different ideas, it may be worth getting an energy audit as getting the right solution first off, would likely save a lot more than the cost of the audit.

Adjusting the louvres

The aim in summer is to spread the cold air as widely and evenly as possible within the room. With the normal type of ceiling grille, the four or six segments can be rotated to direct air where required. If the louvres in the grille can be adjusted, direct the air along the ceiling. Try also to direct the air into the corners of the room. If using the air conditioner for heating, it may be necessary to adjust some (or all) of the vents downwards in winter.
If you have a wall split, try their automatic setting first for the louvre blades, but if it doesn't give the desired comfort, experiment with the manual settings.

General

To keep informed of my latest posts, sign up for the Energy Saving Newsletter and as a free bonus, get a 14 page extract from the forthcoming second edition of the book:

'House Taming, How to reduce greenhouse gases in comfort'

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If you need personalised advice or you are thinking of spending some real money on air conditioning or improvements to the house, get an energy audit. I guarantee I can cost effectively save you the cost of the audit or the audit is free.

Feel free to leave a comment or question below.

Our house is too hot, what can I do?

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 23:07:30 GMT

In my last post (Wondering why you have trouble sleeping lately?) I promised I would write about creating a heat refuge (sometimes called a cool refuge) in your home for those exceptional hot nights where it doesn’t cool down enough to sleep.

Given that more hot weather is forecast, I thought I would finish it early to give you a chance to at least take the first steps.

With summer nighttime minimum temperatures increasing even faster than daytime temperatures creating a home heat refuge is desirable in much of Australia, especially during extreme weather conditions.

The blackouts in various parts of Australia, show that even if you have ducted air conditioning, when the grid goes down, unless your house is well insulated, the inside temperature can rise quickly to dangerous temperatures.

Ideally you would upgrade your whole house, using a Residential Efficiency Scorecard or an EnerPHit Passive House assessment for guidance.

As an alternative, when doing a Scorecard or EnerPHit assessment I can at no extra cost help you identify a room to serve as a home heat refuge, which in cold weather can double as a cold refuge as many improvements will target both. This is a lot cheaper than upgrading your whole house.
Even if you can’t afford that, the following low-cost ideas could get you started to create a refuge in one room to make your life safer and more comfortable during heatwaves: Most of them will also double for protecting you from cold snaps in winter.

These ideas should be read in conjunction with Wondering why you have trouble sleeping lately?

Choosing the room to be your heat refuge:

This should ideally be a room that:

Is naturally reasonably cool.
Is large enough to shelter all the home’s occupants.
Can be isolated from other parts of the house by closing doors.
A room where you can create good cross ventilation, once it is cooler outside .
A room that you spend a reasonable amount of time in.
If you already have air conditioning in one room, that may be a good option if it is large enough.
Depending on your family situation, a bedroom or lounge are often good options.

Insulation and Sealing:

Ensure your refuge is well-insulated to keep the indoor temperature stable. Proper insulation helps maintain a comfortable environment during both hot and cold weather.
- Check the ceiling insulation over the room and if it isn’t at least up to the level of the top of the rafters, buy a couple of bags of ceiling insulation to beef it up as far as possible. See Get insulation right
Seal any gaps around doors and windows to prevent uncontrolled drafts and maintain consistent indoor temperatures, while it is hotter outside than in. See also Stop air leaks in your home.
- Use a door bottom seal or a door snake to isolate the refuge from your hot rooms, but once it is cooler outside, open it up for cross ventilation.

Window Shading and Curtains

Plant trees or install outdoor shades (such as pergolas or awnings) on windows that get direct sunlight, to provide natural shade and reduce heat absorption.
If that is not feasible, consider getting some shade cloth or spare fabric and fixing it outside the window to keep the heat off. This is more effective at keeping the room cool than internal blinds or curtains, although both are worthwhile, and the combination is even better.
Use curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Light-coloured curtain backings can reflect heat away from your home.
If you can afford it consider high performance windows, add on double glazing or window films.

Cooling Systems:

If you can afford it and you own the house, install an appropriate wall split air conditioner.
- If you are renting and can afford it consider a portable air conditioner. Although they don’t perform nearly as well as a split system, a good one which is ducted to the outside may give acceptable comfort except on extreme days, and be OK at night.
If you can afford it, fit a ceiling fan or if not, at least buy a cheap pedestal fan (refer Wondering why you have trouble sleeping lately?) fans can help circulate air and create a cooling effect.
Regularly service your cooling systems to ensure they function efficiently. See also Help my air conditioner isn't performing.

General:

Ensure the room has comfortable seating, water, room to sleep in and any necessary medications.
Minimise electrical and other sources of heat in the room. For example if you need medications kept cool and to cool the water, ideally use a fridge located in another room.

Ensure the room has LED lights not halogen.

Remember that creating a heat refuge is not only about physical comfort but also about protecting your health. If your home lacks proper cooling, consider finding local facilities (such as shopping centres, libraries or swimming pools) that can serve as cooling refuges during extreme heatwaves.

Stay safe and take care!

To keep informed of my latest posts, sign up for the Energy Saving Newsletter and as a free bonus, get a 14 page extract from the forthcoming second edition of the book:

'House Taming, How to reduce greenhouse gases in comfort'

Sign up now to the Energy Saving Newsletter.

If you need personalised advice or you are thinking on spending some real money on the refuge, get an energy audit. I guarantee I can cost effectively save you the cost of the audit.

Feel free to leave a comment or question below.

Wondering why you have more trouble sleeping lately?

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 22:40:56 GMT

It might not just be you.

In Adelaide the Bureau of Meteorology forecast overnight minima for this summer are significantly above the historical median.

Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick from the University of NSW says that since the mid 50”s overnight minima have been rising faster than daytime maxima.

What this means is that in most of southern Australia and in particular the Adelaide plains, the number of nights that the temperature outside doesn’t drop to sleep temperatures has increased and is likely to continue to increase.

This also means your house doesn’t cool down overnight and if the next day is also hot, the house continues to get even hotter.

So, what should you do if it is a stinking hot night?

If you have an air conditioner, make sure it is performing as well as possible, see Help, my air conditioner isn't performing!

Tips for sleeping:

Make sure you are hydrated so that your body can use evaporation to keep you cool.
Sleep in the coolest room in the house, drag your mattress there.
Use your air-conditioner if you have one and if you also have ceiling fans in the same room use them as well. (More on getting the best from air-conditioning in a future post.)
If you don’t have a ceiling fan, buy a pedestal fan. They are less than $100 and cheap ones are $25 or less from Woolworths or Bunnings.
As soon as it is cooler outside than in, open all your windows except in rooms with an air conditioner running. (If you have an evaporative cooler, you will have opened the windows sufficient to allow the air to exhaust. Note that it can feel cooler outside even if it is actually hotter. So, if you can, use actual temperature measurements, an indoor/outdoor thermometer (Bunnings sell one for under $25). Alternatively, you can use an old-style thermometer (less than $5) and compare it to your weather App. Note, use the actual temperature, not the ‘Feels Like” temperature.
When using outside ventilation, if possible, open doors between rooms to get a cross flow of air from one side of the house to the other. This is much more effective than simply opening a window in one room. If you need to keep a pet out, consider temporarily putting a pet height barrier, so you can allow the cross ventilation. (Baby barriers sometimes work.)
If it is hotter outside close the windows, and all blinds and curtains. If you wake up in the middle of the night, recheck the temperatures as it may have cooled down enough to allow a cooling breeze.
Minimise heat build-up during the day. If the sun is shining on a window, shade the window, if you have external blinds pull them down, If not consider getting some shade cloth or spare fabric and fixing it outside the window to keep the heat off.
Take a cool shower or bath before bed and if you wake up and can’t go back to sleep.
Try a wet cloth draped over you.
Wear minimal lightweight bedclothes.
For the longer term consider turning a room into a heat refuge (sometimes called a cool refuge). This is a big topic and I address it in a separate post: Our house is too hot what can I do?
Get a home energy audit to find out what is critical for your home and location.

To keep informed of my latest posts, sign up for the Energy Saving Newsletter and as a free bonus, get a 14 page extract from the forthcoming second edition of the book:

'House Taming, How to reduce greenhouse gases in comfort'

Sign up now to the Energy Saving Newsletter.

If you need personalised advice or you are thinking on spending some real money on the refuge, get an energy audit. I guarantee I can cost effectively save you the cost of the audit.

Feel free to leave a comment or question below.