Cool Your Home for Less

During summer it can be difficult to cool your home and keep your energy bills down, use these tips to cool your home for less.

Hot air rises – warm and hot air rises above cool air, so the hottest parts of your home are closest to the ceiling and on upper levels of multi-storey homes
The sun naturally heats your home – managing the light and heat from the sun is an effective way to reduce indoor heat
All appliances emit heat – as appliances are electrical, they will all emit some amount of heat when they are using energy, turning off appliances and using energy-efficient appliances is a practical way to reduce heat produced in your home
Exposure to heat for an extended period of time can have impacts to your health. Monitor your household’s health during hot weather and seek medical attention if needed. Learn more about how heat can impact your health here: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/heat-stress-and-heat-related-illness

Choose one room in the house to be a designated cool room, ideally somewhere without carpet floors and that can be closed off. This could be a living room, bedroom, or anywhere else you feel comfortable in. The aim is for all household members to use this room on hot days. Focus on cooling down this room rather than your whole house.
Switch to using a fan rather than the air conditioning: a ceiling fan or portable fan can be used. To create extra cool air, place a shallow bowl of ice in front of your fan
Remove floor rugs to expose cooler flooring
If you do use air conditioning, set your aircon to 24-27 degrees to reduce running costs and regularly clean the system for increased efficiency
Use your windows wisely:
Shade your windows - Block out the sun with indoor blinds and curtains, and outdoor blinds and window coverings. Stopping the sun will cool down your home
Close the house up and close curtains during the heat to stop cool air from escaping
Open windows and doors during the cooler parts of the day to let in cool air, fix fly screens so your home can stay bug-free while ventilated

Avoid using your stove and oven as these can heat up your kitchen. Instead, use smaller cooking appliances like a pressure cooker or slow cooker, microwave or air fryer, or cook outside on a barbecue
If you have to use your washing machine during the day, wash your clothes using a cold setting
Do not use clothes dryers on hot days - line dry your clothes instead
Turn off lights to conserve energy and replace lightbulbs with LED bulbs as these release less heat
Turn off unnecessary appliances. All appliances generate some heat and keeping appliances on will increase your energy bills. Turn off televisions, computers, chargers when not in use
Use your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to draw warm air out of your home

Indoor plants not only beautify your interior, some species can help bring down the temperature too
Plant trees and plants, or use pot plants, that provide shade to windows. If you want more natural light during the cooler months, use plants that shed their leaves during autumn and winter like jacaranda, ash, birch, maple and robinia

Drinking enough water helps regulate your body temperature – adults should be drinking about 2-2.5L per day. Add electrolytes to water if you are sweating
Run a bath of cold water and add some ice cubes – dunk your feet and hands to lower your body temperature
Use a cool, damp cloth on your forehead or body for added cooling
Take a cold shower to cool down your whole body
Wearing natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen and bamboo allows your body to regulate body temperature

Use natural fibre bedding, such as 100% cotton or linen sheets. These are lightweight breathable fabrics that will help keep you cool
Use your microwavable heat packs as cooling packs. Place these in the freezer to cool down
For children, place their favourite soft toys in the freezer to cool down
Open windows to allow cool air to circulate into your home during the night, and use fly screens to stay bug-free

Install solar energy to reduce energy costs year-round
Invest in ceiling fans to use in the heat and cold
Insulation will not only keep your home warm in winter but also cool in summer. Ensure that you have adequate and appropriate insulation
Heating and cooling systems can be an effective way to cool your home, having a system that is appropriate for your home and has high energy efficiency will reduce energy costs

Make sure your pets have access to plenty of fresh water
Feed animals ice cubes or frozen treats to cool down
Think about bringing outdoor pets such as dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, and birds inside
Make sure outdoor pets have shade they can easily access
Clip and trim long-haired dogs and cats to keep them cool
Provide a cool place for your pet to hang out, like a cooling mat, damp towel, tiles, an ice brick wrapped in a towel, or a water bath
Don’t exercise your dog in the middle of the day: wait until it is cooler to take your dog for a walk. Remember to use your hand to check the pavement is not too hot for your dog's paws
If your pet seems excessively hot or distressed, take them to a vet to get checked