Heating and cooling your home makeup about 40% of your energy usage. And it is a significant amount. So, it truly pays to make sure you have the right kind of system for your needs. Not to mention Canberra's unique and always-changing weather.

As such, it is wise to choose a plumber who knows the area well and can help you make decisions with your cooling system that will mean great results for years to come.

That said, below are a few questions to ask yourself when considering a new cooling system:

  • Does the air in your home or business get hot and need to be cooled? Or is it just that there is no air movement?
  • What is the area’s size? Is it the whole house or a small to medium-sized room only? Perhaps an entire office?
  • Does the space need to be cooled all the time? Or just occasionally or at certain times?
  • Do you want something portable or in-built?

There are thousands of cooling options on the market, but they can be broken down into three categories.

Cooling Solution #1: Fans

Fans are great if your home has good passive cooling in place, like insulation, vents in the roof, and a lot of shade coverage. They do not cool air. They just move it around, which is more than enough if the inside temperature is comfortable.

Fans are also cheaper and energy-efficient. It is also portable, which gives you the freedom to move it around the house or office wherever you like it. Fans come in fixed models, too. But bear in mind that many fixed models require a licensed electrician to install them.

Using fans can help reduce your utility bill, too, compared to when you are using an air conditioner alone.  

Cooling Solution #2: Evaporative Coolers

In areas with low humidity, evaporative coolers are a great choice. Evaporative coolers use the evaporation of water as their cooling mechanism. Thus, it does not work well in places with high humidity as the air is already moist.

Evaporative coolers’ energy consumption is reasonably low as well. Installing one is not that expensive, too, given that it only requires a small water pump and fan to operate.

Still, it is important to find a quality, energy-efficient model.

Evaporative coolers come in a wide variety of styles and models. You will find portable units, window-mounted, door-mounted, and roof-mounted.

In addition, be sure to consider the space you want to install it. Make sure to opt for a unit that is up to the task. But do not worry! With so many options on the market, you are sure to find something that ticks all the boxes.

Cooling Solution #3: Air Conditioners

If your space is not designed to be passively cool, an air conditioner is the most suitable option. It allows you to control the temperature of your space, depending on your preferences. The only drawback is that it consumes more energy than other cooling appliances. It emits more greenhouse gasses than the other options, too.

Air conditioners are available in portable, wall, window, split and ducted options. Fixed systems need to be installed by a licensed refrigeration mechanic/electrician like Landmark Air Canberra.

Moreover, when choosing an air conditioner, you must choose the right size. Too small and it will have to work hard to reach the temperature you want; too big and it will cool the space but not remove the humidity, which means you will be cool but still uncomfortable.

If you choose an evaporative cooler or air conditioner unit, it is important to remember that to continue to run effectively, the unit needs to be serviced. A unit that has not been serviced costs more to run and means you'll likely miss the chance to have small issues resolved before they get expensive.

Level Plumbing Canberra is a trusted tradie company that you can count on. If you need repair and maintenance services, reach out to us at (02) 6188 6088.