10 budget-friendly ways to keep cool at home on hot days

The mercury’s going up, but you don’t want your energy bills to do the same. In the Aussie spring and summer, many of us crank up the aircon, but with rising electricity prices and eco-consciousness, it’s good to harness some low or no-cost techniques to keep yourself and your home cool.

Here are 10 ways to help you cool down and stay more comfortable during the summer months without it costing an arm and a leg.

Don’t just open window coverings in the morning and close them at night - use them strategically. During the day, block out the heat by keeping blinds or curtains closed or partially closed on windows that receive direct sunlight. That will be east-facing windows in the morning, and then west-facing in the afternoon. If you have blackout curtains or retractable awnings for doors or windows, make use of these to shade from the sun.

In the evening, if it’s cooler outside than in, opening blinds or curtains on windows that you can open allows natural ventilation to dissipate built up heat.

Hot air rises, so if you live in a home with two or more floors, spend your time in the cooler downstairs areas during the day. If you usually work from home in an upstairs study or bedroom, consider relocating downstairs to the dining or living room to escape the unwanted heat in the warmer months.

Don’t lose your cool! If you’re using air conditioning, you don’t want to lose that chilled air to leakage. By using weather strips, caulking or even draught excluders to block gaps around doors and windows, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to keep the room cool.

Don’t spend money cooling the whole house if you’re only using a couple of rooms. Much like blocking the escape of cold air, if there are rooms you rarely use, keep them closed off to concentrate cool air in the areas you spend the most time in. This can include bathrooms and toilets, as well as spare rooms or unused bedrooms (unless they have their own ducted air con vents).

By reducing the area that needs cooling, when you do feel the need to use air conditioning, you can reach your desired temperature sooner and save money by using less energy to maintain it.

Ceiling fans and freestanding options like pedestal and tower fans, don’t actually lower the air temperature in a room, but they do create a cooling effect by circulating air. This air flow can also help evaporate sweat on your skin.

Evaporative coolers are not as well-known or widely used as other home cooling systems. Unlike fans, they can actually lower the air temperature by passing warm air through water-soaked pads and blowing cooled air out. They are not as effective as air conditioners, but they are a lower-cost option, and also humidify the air.

Keep an eye on the weather and when a cooling breeze arrives, take advantage of it using cross-ventilation. When the sun fades on summer nights and that Southerly Bluster or Freo Doctor blows in off the ocean, strategically opening windows and doors on opposite sides of your home can create an airflow that replaces stale, hot air with fresher, cooler air.

Staying hydrated doesn’t directly lower your body temperature in hot weather, but it does help your body regulate temperature more effectively.

When you get hot, sweat dissipates excess heat to help you maintain a stable internal temperature - a bit like a natural thermostat. Proper hydration ensures that you have enough fluid in your body to produce sweat and maintain this cooling process, so grab yourself an iced tea and take a long cool drink...

If you’ve got space in your freezer, make use of it by making some DIY ice packs. Putting a few damp washcloths in the freezer and then placing them on your forehead or arms throughout hot summer days is a handy little hack for taking the edge off the heat, and it’s more convenient than continually taking cold showers!

Cooking generates heat, so plan your meals to avoid using the oven or cooktop during the hottest times of the day. Nobody’s craving a baked dinner during a heatwave, so summer’s a good time to add no- or low-cook meals like salads, antipasto platters, rice paper rolls and sushi to your menu. As an added bonus, the less you cook, the fewer dirty dishes you’ll need to wash up.

We’ll save the most obvious for last! Before you crank up the air conditioner or ceiling fan, make sure you’re dressed in light, breathable clothes. That goes for all the family - if you’ve ever caught your teen switching the air con on while lounging around in a heavy Oodie you’ll know what I mean.

Staying cool during the Australian summer doesn't have to send your electric bill through the roof. These budget-friendly tips can help you avoid, or at least delay, switching on the air con. When they don’t quite cut it on really hot summer days and you do need to flip the switch, selecting energy-efficient settings can help keep energy costs in check.

Temperature-wise, the closer the thermostat setting is to the outdoor temperature, the less your air conditioner has to work to maintain that temperature. Typically, 24-26°C is an energy-efficient temperature range to set it at.

Appliances Online has a wide range of more energy efficient DRED-enabled split system air conditioners, as well as portable air conditioners, portable and ceiling fans and evaporative coolers. 

We deliver ceiling fans, pedestal fans and air conditioners to 95% of Australia's population with Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery - and we can usually get it to you by the next day (Mon-Fri) as long as it's in stock. Plus, we now offer paid Same Day Delivery for in-stock appliances in NSW, QLD, and VIC metro areas if you order before 12pm Mon-Fri.

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