Worried about out how to keep your home looking fabulous while remaining cool this summer? Don’t sweat it. When temperatures start to skyrocket, there are various ways to beat the heat without ruining your home’s aestheticWords Carrol Baker

beat the heat,maintain the chic

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Starting at the very beginning, positioning a home to make the most of cooling breezes and choosing the right windows are probably the best

ways to keep cool. Alex Porebski, director at Porebski Architects,

believes louvred windows are a great option for harnessing cooling breezes.

“One of the key methods of cooling down a home is getting the cross-ventilation right,” Alex says. “Having windows that are opposite or adjacent to each other can help; it may also work more efficiently if there’s a smaller window on one side to draw the air across.”

Orientation of windows will also affect the cool factor. “Having windows facing north is ideal for the solar aspect,” Alex adds. “If you can’t achieve that, and you have lots of windows facing east or west, apply external sun control with louvres or shutters, which can also create a beautiful effect of soft, filtered light.”

A house Alex and his team designed in Pearl

Beach used single-room design so that cross ventilation could be used for cooling. External shutters, used to control the sun (and strong sea winds), slide fully away into cavities, as do the windows, so the house can become very open.

“The house also draws in cool breezes through vent holes that can be used as a cooling system,” Alex explains, adding, “another feature is the geothermal heating and cooling that takes advantage of the site’s proximity to the ocean. Pipes go down to the water table — only 4m below. In the pipes, water is circulated and uses the heat from the ground and water to keep the hot water and underfloor hydronic heating at a higher temperature, saving on heating costs for the water, which also allows the hydronic underfloor heating to cool the house in summer without any running costs.”

Deeper or wider eaves can also have a cooling effect on a home’s interior. And that, Alex points out, also allows you to create covered outdoor spaces underneath a two-storey home.

Photography by Conor Quinn

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When it comes to actual cooling devices, some, such as ducted air and slim-line air conditioning units, are sleek and barely there. Then there are those (such as insulation) that are completely invisible. On the flipside, some cooling options can add a whole new design layer to a space, blending effortlessly with the home’s aesthetic — from beautiful windows that invite in cooling breezes to designer fans that steal the show.

RetRofitting?Slimline tower fans are a godsend in the world of cool-looking cooling and they’re gaining plenty of traction. They take up minimal space and can look pretty darned good.

Lots of models offer both heating and cooling functions, as well as additional features like air purifiers, which remove contaminants such as bacteria and mould spores from air inside the home. They’re perfect for interiors with a minimalist look (or lack of space!).

If you haven’t heard of whole-house fans, they’re an eco-friendly cooling option made up of a large in-roof fan that works by drawing stale hot air towards a vent, which then expels it outside. Within the rooms to be cooled the windows are opened, which creates an updraft, and fresh air is thus drawn in, replacing the hot air.

Another way to beat the heat is with thermal insulation. CSR Bradford’s Daniel Kelman says thermal insulation in a home’s walls and ceilings acts as a barrier to the transfer of heat. “It makes your home far more comfortable and energy-efficient,” he explains.

While today’s building regulations require

a minimum level of thermal insulation in new homes, older properties often lack the elements required to keep them comfortable all year round. Some insulation (Bradford Gold Hi-Performance insulation, for example) can be installed as an upgrade in new homes and during renovations and will “ensure you create the most comfortable home possible”, according to Daniel.

By upgrading to higher levels of thermal insulation, you can also feel all warm inside, knowing you’ve reduced your energy bills for the life of your home.

A BReAth of fResh AiRAir conditioning is, of course, one of the most popular cooling options in Australia and comes in split systems, multi-split systems, ducted, window box and portable systems.

Window or wall units contain all parts in one system or box. Split systems and multi-split systems are made up of a compressor (which goes outside) and an air conditioner, which is usually mounted on the wall. The two are connected with pipes containing refrigerant gas. Split-system models allow the ultimate in control over the rooms you want to cool — they’re designed specifically for individual room cooling. Most air conditioning units are fitted to a wall, but some companies have dual-console systems that can be installed on the floor or under the ceiling — a great option for aesthetics.

A multi-split system has one compressor that runs several units, so different rooms can be cooled to the occupant’s individual preference. A split system or multi-split system reverse-cycle

The Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-EF reverse cyclesplit-system air conditioner is actually an

elegant addition. mitsubishielectric.com.au

Opening up the shutters at Porebski Architects’ Pearl Beach House allows fresh sea breezes to fill the living spaces. Photography by Conor Quinn. porebskiarchitects.com.au

modern, classic, elegant, basic, sleek, coastal or even boho,” she says. “These days there’s a fan for every style.”

As for what’s on trend right now, in the name of sustainability Anastasia says natural elements such as bamboo and timber blades continue to dominate. “Black is also in vogue, keeping in theme with the current black hardware and tapware trend,” she says. “Sleek and slimline fans tend to add more style to a room than the old-fashioned mechanisms chosen for function.”

There are even fans offering specific relief if you suffer from night sweats or are unwell. Positioned at the bottom of the bed, the bFan sends a cooling high-pressure airflow under the

sheets, which flows over the body, releasing the hot humid air. It’s super-quiet and adjustable to suit different bed heights, and easily covered up!

too cool foR schoolIf the general appearance of cooling options for your home concerns you, the good news is they’ve just become a whole lot… well… cooler. Some are contemporary, others have an edgy minimalist, retro, resort or sleek industrial vibe. Imagine a beautiful ceiling fan that’s also a shimmering chandelier to add a touch of luxe.

Of course, there are also dual-function fans available that are fitted with a light, which allows for cleaner lines on the ceiling rather than two

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air conditioner enables you to keep your home nice and cool in summer and heat it up in winter.

Just as mobile phones and other devices have become more slimline, air conditioning units are becoming smaller and less obtrusive, without compromising on cooling output. In other words, modern units give you far more bang for your buck. Many new models also have wi-fi connectivity — the air conditioner can be turned to a comfortable temperature even before you step through the front door (often through an app on your phone).

Arguably the king of cool is ducted air. It’s quiet and discreet, with only the controller and grills visible inside your home and all the technology hidden away. Ducted air lets you create cosy climate zones and maximise energy efficiency.

When deciding where to position air conditioning, Alex says it pays to get a mechanical engineer or air conditioning contractor on board in the early stages of the project. “They can designate a specific area to conceal the condenser unit so it’s in an area that won’t intrude,” he says.

Ducting for ducted air can be concealed in

ceiling spaces, for instance. “All you see is a linear grill across a piece of joinery — it can be blended to integrate into the design of the house itself,” Alex explains. “Linear grills around joinery can often look better than the diffusers you see in the ceilings of ducted systems.”

A fAn of fAns?In the past, fans have copped a bit of a bad rap. From a design perspective, fans were uninspiring and often not all that attractive, with limited colour, material and style options. They were all about practicality, with little or no emphasis on style and visual appeal.

Today, however, designs have evolved as discerning homeowners have begun demanding cooling options that not only oscillate and cool, but complement interior style and decor. Whether you opt for a ceiling, tower or pedestal fan, if you haven’t shopped around for one for a while, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer now.

A fan works by shifting the air around inside a room. This movement increases the rate of evaporation of moisture or sweat on the skin, which has a cooling effect. Very clever. And now

new-look fans not only cover these practicalities, they look fabulous too.

Fans are usually AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current); for the eco-conscious it’s important to remember that DC fans generally consume less power.

Airflow is another factor to bear in mind — fans that are higher air movers will shift more air around, so they can be more cooling when temperatures start to soar.

Interior designer Anastasia Dinos, from Mood Design, says the perfect fan will not only complement the aesthetic of a room, it’ll appeal to the eye without standing out, creating balance in the space.

“Think about the style of your home then narrow down the fan selections to suit — such as

BiggeR isn’t AlWAys BetteRA surprising fact you might not know about fans: some small fans can have higher airflow than larger models.

You can match ceiling fans with your furnishings.

bigassfans.com/au

Dyson’s fans are sleek and futuristic-looking. dyson.com.au

Shades are an eco-friendly way to keep bedrooms cool. luxaflex.com.au

Ducted air conditioning can be subtly concealed within ceilings.

Photography by Felix Forest. porebskiarchitects.com.au

The bFan is specifically forcooling you down in bed.bfan.world

Photography by Peter Bennetts

“One Of the key methOds Of cOOling dOwn a hOme is getting the crOss-ventilatiOn right” – alex POrebski

Perhaps the Vent Air Royale IIwill suit your interior style.ventair.com.au

The sleek Aeratron AE2 with the bare minimum of blades. universalfans.com.au

The Atlas Acqua dual ceiling fan issomething a little bit different.fansonline.com.au

Light-and-fan combinationshave come a long way. beaconlighting.com.au

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advancements in glazing over the last decade or so mean optimal thermal efficiency can be assured, but there are other issues, such as correct placement of a skylight, to bear in mind.

According to the Australian Government’s Your Home design guide, skylight manufacturers have worked to reduce the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and increase the thermal insulation (reduce their U-value) via ceiling diffusers, shafts, tubes and blinds or shade panels.

insiDe oUt?While you might be tempted to take your indoor fans and cooling devices outdoors, it’s never a good idea. In the outdoor elements, even in a covered area, a fan can absorb moisture through condensation. When sourcing an outdoor fan, look for an ingress protection (IP) rating — it’s an international standard for water resistance and dust absorption.

Fans are usually damp listed, wet rated or designed for coastal living. Use damp-rated fans in covered outdoor areas, wet-rated fans where there’s a likelihood that water may be splashed on it and, if you live by the water, opt for a fan that can withstand salt and spray. HD

devices. And before you say anything, fret not — the new-look ceiling fans with lights are far more attractive than those rather clinical-looking options of yesteryear.

Modern kitchens are often fitted with a trio of pendants over an island bench, so why not a trio of fans in a large space for an edgy look? Two, three or even more in a row (as long as it’s a large enough space) can look stunning.

Perhaps you prefer size over quantity? Go oversize with a big bold ceiling fan to create a striking industrial appearance. Look for a minimalist fan with curves and a matt or brass finish, or a fan in the shape of a sphere. Architecturally designed fans with four or more blades are winning accolades, too — robust fans with curved blades that give a space a resort-like feel, and floating orbs with dual fans for a vintage look to create a focal point.

Up AnD oUtA skylight can offer an unusual window to the world, creating optimal light without heat gain (or any electricity use). Technological

Skylights let heat out and light in. velux.com.au

xxxxxxxxxxBig Ass Fans, www.bigassfans.com/au

The right stand-alone fan can be a design

asset rather than a liability. beaconlighting.com.au

The Vento fan in black and bamboo is an interesting shape.universalfans.com.au

An outdoor space needs an outdoor fan. mooddesign.com.au

Deeper eaves can cool aninterior and also create a

covered outdoor space.Photography by Justin Alexander.

porebskiarchitects.com.au