Fans
Fans seem a little outdated now- like using a typewriter compared to word processing software on a PC. Fans, however, are one of those old style technologies that we probably should have held on to. They’re cheap to both install and run, and are atmospheric in a way that has nothing to do with your home’s temperature.
Fans can also look terrific. The can add authenticity to period style homes, or look almost like a modern art installation in more contemporary homes. Fans work especially well in humid climates because they keep the air constantly moving, providing relief from that oppressive, heavy feeling that can characterise a hot January night.
Evaporative Coolers
Evaporative coolers work by drawing the hot dry outside air in, and passing it through a wet filter. The air blown into the home is cooler and humidified. They’re much cheaper than air conditioning units, and the only energy they use is to run the fan.
However, evaporative coolers are all about location. Because they work by adding water to the air, they don’t work very well in humid climates – like Sydney and its surrounds.
Air Conditioning
The temptation with air conditioning is to think of it as your total cooling solution – as in, “I need air conditioning where I’m building, therefore all this passive design nonsense is irrelevant to me.”
However, if you install an air conditioning unit, passive cooling is more important than ever. Passive design will ensure that the house is at a reasonable temperature even before you turn the unit on, making it easier to leave the air conditioning switched off on less extreme days, and running at a lower level, using less power when you can’t live without it. Insulation ensures that your newly conditioned air cannot escape the house. Otherwise, you will need to just keep turning the air conditioning up, and use more energy with every turn of dial.
There is a lot of choice available in air conditioning choices, including basic wall and window mounted units, split systems, and ducted systems. The general rule is the smaller the system, the less energy it will use and the less impact it will have on the environment. Still, as with anything, the best system for you is going to depend on you location, home design and lifestyle.
If you only want to cool one or two living rooms during the day, then a small split system might be perfect for you. However, the effectiveness of a small system is removed if your new home is very open plan. Where there are no walls to limit air movement, the air conditioner is going to work harder than ever to cool a much bigger space than you really intended. A bigger unit might be able to cool the rooms better at a much lower setting. A ducted system can cool the entire house, but can also incorporate zones that limit the area.
Air conditioning units all have a star rating that indicates how much energy they will use. This rating is just as important as the price tag when it comes to figuring out how much the unit is really going to cost you. More energy efficient units will mean smaller power bills in the long run, and may also help minimise BASIX costs.
If you’d prefer not to use air conditioning, but are worried that you’ll need it in the future, then you can build the ducting, vents and even the concrete pad for the outside unit into your house. Give yourself a year, and a chance to experience all the seasons in your new home, and from there you can make a reasoned choice about whether you really need air conditioning.
