Split System Reverse Cycle
The most widely used cooling system in Australia. A split system consists of an indoor head unit and an outdoor compressor. It cools in summer and heats in winter (reverse cycle). Energy efficiency has improved dramatically — modern inverter split systems achieve up to 7.5 COP (coefficient of performance), meaning they produce 7.5kW of cooling energy per 1kW of electricity consumed. Best for: single rooms, apartments, and targeted room-by-room cooling in houses.
Ducted Reverse Cycle
Ducted air conditioning distributes cooled (and heated) air through ceiling ducts to every room in the home. Zone control allows you to cool only occupied rooms. Running cost is higher than split systems due to the larger compressor, but it cools the entire home seamlessly. Best for: new builds, large homes, and whole-home climate control. Installation cost: $10,000–$25,000.
Pro tip: Specify a zoned ducted system with individual dampers — this allows you to cool only the rooms you're using, cutting running costs by 30–50%.
Evaporative Cooling
Evaporative coolers pull outside air through water-saturated pads, cooling it by evaporation, and distribute it through the home. They use 75% less electricity than refrigerant cooling and provide fresh air ventilation. However, they ONLY work in hot, dry climates — they're useless in Queensland's humidity. Best for: inland SA, WA, VIC, and NSW. Completely ineffective in tropical or coastal Queensland.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans don't cool air — they create a wind-chill effect that makes occupants feel cooler. They cost approximately $0.01–0.03 per hour to run vs $0.30–0.80/hour for an air conditioner. In mild climates, a ceiling fan can replace air conditioning for all but the hottest days. Best results: minimum 56-inch blade diameter, DC motor for efficiency, correct height from floor (2.1–2.4m is ideal).
Building Passive Cooling First
The most cost-effective cooling strategy is passive design: shading west-facing windows in summer (significant heat gain), insulating ceilings to R4.0+, sealing draughts, and using cross-ventilation. Passive cooling measures reduce the load on any mechanical cooling system — a well-designed passive house can be comfortable in moderate climates with ceiling fans alone.
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