Summer’s Here Early! Our Top Tips On How To Keep Your House Cool In Summer

Summer’s arrived early, and the quickest ways to keep your house cool in summer are to clean your air filters, set your thermostat to 24–25°C, use ceiling fans correctly, and block out radiant heat with blinds or curtains.

Queensland has already seen above-average temperatures this season, and if you’re relying heavily on your air conditioner, these steps can help to cut your running costs while also keeping your home comfortable.

Quick ways to cool your home right now

When the mercury starts climbing, these quick actions can make a real difference to how to keep your house cool in summer. Regular air conditioning maintenance is important to keep your system running efficiently, but these simple steps will also really help cool you down fast.

Clean or replace your air filters every month during heavy use. A clogged filter forces your system to work harder, using more energy and cooling less effectively.

Set your thermostat to 24-25°C. Each degree lower can increase running costs by up to 10%. Pairing this with ceiling fans makes the room feel several degrees cooler.

Close curtains and blinds during the day, especially on north and west-facing windows. This blocks radiant heat before it enters your home. We recently worked with a Hervey Bay client struggling with afternoon heat. Their AC was working well so they decided to install blockout blinds, and their cooling costs dropped noticeably.

Check your ceiling fan direction. Fans should spin anticlockwise in summer to push air down and create that cooling breeze effect.

How to cool a house without air conditioning

The best way to cool a room often combines multiple strategies. Open windows strategically to create cross-ventilation once outside temperatures drop, usually after sunset. Position a fan near a window to pull cool air in.

For those wondering how to keep cool at night, try breathable cotton or linen bedding and placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan.

When your air conditioner struggles in Queensland’s conditions

In the Wide Bay region, coastal areas like Hervey Bay face salt corrosion affecting outdoor units, while inland areas around Maryborough and Gympie experience intense dry heat. And after 35 years servicing air conditioners in the region, we’ve noticed clear warning signs that your system is working harder than it should.

If your air conditioner runs constantly but never reaches the set temperature, makes unusual noises, or if your power bills have jumped significantly, your system is likely reaching the end of its efficient life.

One Gympie client told us, “We kept repairing our 12 year old system every summer. When we replaced it with a modern unit, our first summer power bill was actually lower.”

The real cost of running an old air conditioner

CHOICE research shows that older, inefficient air conditioners are among the most expensive appliances to run in Australian homes, especially during peak summer use, because efficiency declines further as components wear out. 

Based on our 35 years servicing air conditioners specifically in Queensland’s climate, where longer, hotter summers require extended use, we typically see homeowners with older systems paying $550-$700 or more annually, compared to $300-$450 for modern high-efficiency models.

For many homeowners like you, the combined impact of higher running costs, reduced performance, and ongoing repair callouts means an upgrade can become a smart, cost-effective option within just a few seasons.

Is it time to replace your air conditioner?

If you are thinking about replacing your air con, then consider these questions: 

• Is your system over 10 years old? 
• Have repair costs exceeded $500 in the past year? 
• Does it struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures?

If you answered yes to two or more, your air conditioner probably needs replacing. Luckily, modern systems offer better comfort, lower running costs, and improved air quality in your home.

Your next steps for a cooler summer

To ensure that this summer is a comfortable one, follow these simple steps at the start of the season: 

• Clean your filters
• Adjust your thermostat
• Manage your window coverings
• Check your ceiling fans

And if your system is still struggling, then give our team a call.

Are you ready to beat the heat? 

Our team has spent over three decades understanding what Queensland homes need to stay cool and comfortable, and we offer free assessments across Gympie, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, and throughout the Wide Bay and South Burnett regions.

So, simply contact us to get a quote or give us a call on 07 5482 8100 to discuss the best cooling solution for your home (and your budget) this summer.