Air Con, Ceiling Fan, or Standing Fan? Which Should I Get for My Home?

LDrSwag on 20/10/2023 - 09:02

I am a recent first home buyer who is a tad clueless thus I am seeking advice and discussions from the credible OzBargainers community!

I am looking to understand the pros and cons of the ways I could deal with the Melbourne heat for this and future summers, whether it is air-con throughout, ceiling fans, traditional or fancy standing fans, etc.

My house current set up is:
* 3-Bedroom house, during winter it was sometimes colder inside than out when no heating was used
* The house is heavily shaded from trees therefore no opportunity for solar (possibly in future if I remove the trees)

I think it's for this reason that the house is cold, possibly draft-gaps in windows as well?
* Gas for inducted heating
* Gas for water heating
* Gas for stove-top heating
* Electricity for everything else
* There is floor space in every room for a standing fan
* One air-con unit in the kitchen-dining-living room. I think it is a split system though it does not heat only because there is a large box outside for it

Cashflow and price will be a consideration, but as this is my PPOR I am happy to invest in it long-term and can stagger the upgrades.

Poll Options expired

  • 5
    Air Con Units - Ducted (remove current gas ducted)
  • 1
    Air Con Units - Other (say in chat)
  • 47
    Air Con Units - Split System
  • 8
    Ceiling Fans
  • 1
    Standing Fan - Cheap
  • 0
    Standing Fan - Fancy
Home & Garden Air Conditioner Ceiling Fan

Comments

  • JustinFR on 20/10/2023 - 09:16
    +6

    Have you checked to see what insulation you have installed in the roof? I'd say that is a good first step, can make a world of a difference if you have absolutely nothing up there. We recently purchased our 3bdrm villa in Sydney and there was no insulation at all. We also added a 12.5kw ducted system more so for investment purposes rather than practical heating and cooling purposes as a split system would've likely been fine.

  • boomramada on 20/10/2023 - 09:20

    Air Con Units (Ducted) + Ceiling Fans is the best option.

    • pencilhead on 20/10/2023 - 13:12

      Most ducted have a fan only option. No need for separate fans. The fan only circulates air.

      • penting on 22/11/2023 - 09:04

        it's not the same. you can use the ceiling fans in winter mode and it will bring the warm air down as heated air tend to stay higher in the ceiling hence increasing your heater efficiency.

  • Aureus on 20/10/2023 - 09:30
    +4

    Ducted is expensive and energy inefficient. Multiple splits are cheaper, more efficient and gives you redundancy.

  • KaTst3R on 20/10/2023 - 09:31

    If it is hot and dry, ceiling fans basically blow warm air on you so it is not helping. I got both AC split and ceiling fan. Never used the fan.

    • DiscountForThee on 20/10/2023 - 10:53
      +4

      If it is hot and dry

      Usually you'd be begging for the air to be dry. Dry and hot allows your sweat to cool you down comfortably.

      When the air isn't dry.. that is when life becomes less fun

      • Indomietable on 22/10/2023 - 09:02

        Usually you'd be begging for the air to be dry.

        Not when you have fan.

        Fan is bad and borderline dangerous when air is dry.

        See : https://jmsma.scholasticahq.com/article/37291-low-cost-optio…

        At higher levels of relative humidity (above about 70%), sweat evaporation decreases, and fan use may be harmful as convective heating outpaces evaporative cooling. It should be noted that in very hot, dry conditions, that is, Relative Humidity(RH) around 10%, sweat evaporates readily, even without the use of a fan. When RH is very low, fans provide no additional benefit and can even accelerate body heating and exacerbate cardiovascular strain and thermal discomfort

        • DiscountForThee on 22/10/2023 - 12:07

          Relative Humidity(RH) **around 10% **

          Sure, but this is ridiculously low humidity and not what most people would experience unless they're in Alice Springs or something. And at that point, the water and sweat evaporating is going to be as pleasant as possible :)

          You do always desire the air to be dry when hot. You have control of the fan, unless you're being held in a cage where you may have bigger things to worry about hah

        • rumblytangara on 23/10/2023 - 13:30

          Anyone who has spent any amount of time in SE Asia can attest that fans are still very useful above 70% RH.

    • GettingThePlus190s on 20/10/2023 - 13:50

      No, they draw the heat upwards.

  • cashless on 20/10/2023 - 09:32
    +1

    I no longer use my ducted aircon in summer, have had ceiling fans put in most rooms (old inefficient house, bit like OP's).
    I find that fans create just enough breeze, even on the really hot days, to make it comfortable.
    Offer coming up at Aldi as well.

  • FoxJump on 20/10/2023 - 09:33
    +2

    vornado

    • rumblytangara on 20/10/2023 - 09:59

      Great option if you can't afford AC or ceiling fans.

  • lachhelix on 20/10/2023 - 09:36
    +2

    Ducted evaporative is crap for the really hot days in Melbourne.

    Just install a couple of reverse cycle split systems - I did the exact same thing and it just makes life so much easier (both winter and summer)

    • Stopback on 20/10/2023 - 09:37

      Who did you go with

      • lachhelix on 20/10/2023 - 10:02
        +1

        Split systems I got thru TGG ebay a % off sale and Fujitsu cash back, and installed by a local AC installer for $800 each

    • freefall101 on 20/10/2023 - 11:31

      I bought a house that has a new evaporative system in it, owner was an idiot to put it in as even in the dryer northern suburbs it's not very good.

      I put in a split system within a few weeks of moving in, works way better. Granted, running both is also fun (although not particularly efficient).

  • Benoffie on 20/10/2023 - 09:58
    +3

    Air con splits/reverse cycle + fans. Fans are complementary andshould be used when its not that hot, to aid in AC air dispersion etc.

  • Kandeman on 20/10/2023 - 09:59
    +6

    1.Stop drafts - https://www.ecomaster.com.au/ Plug all the gaps where possible. If you use quality draft products you won't need to redo them again in a few years. Foam breaks down and needs to be replaced. This will be your most cost effective solution.

    1. Insulate were possible. Roof first.

    Agree with others, multiple split systems are the best for both heating and cooling. Will be cheaper for heating then running the gas ducted. I'm 8 months into getting off gas and my overall energy costs have dropped by 25% (Gas plus Electricity vs just Electricity) despite rising energy costs. Ducted aircon / heating just introduces loses via the ducts.

    Ceiling fans are excellent above beds to create slow air circulation at night to help with sleeping. Note that a fan won't reduce the temperature so are only useful when a person is within the airflow. Running them without anyone in the room will just use energy.

    During summer keeping the sun out of your house is key, external shading is more effective then internal blinds. During hot sunny days keep the house closed up, blinds closed. Once the temp drops outside then open everything up, blinds, windows & doors etc.

  • JimmyF on 20/10/2023 - 11:26
    +2

    Splits and ceiling fans all the fan!

  • 87percent on 20/10/2023 - 11:42

    One of the ceiling fans in the kids room, spins really slow (basically only spins on the highest speed). Seems like a waste to get a new one, anyone have an idea what could be wrong with it?

  • samyall on 20/10/2023 - 11:43

    Ceiling fan above bed - this can help you avoid running aircon most nights. Put ceiling fans in other rooms as needed (if youre not sure dont install, try something like a Vornado).

    As others have said, insulate and split system or two.

  • morse on 20/10/2023 - 11:53

    Reverse cycle split units for sure. There’s some really efficient ones these days even for heating. Also means if it’s dusty or smoky outside you can still have air flow withou opening windows. We have Mitsubishi units in three rooms and they are great, quiet, energy efficient. Makes the home so much more comfortable.

  • AustriaBargain on 20/10/2023 - 12:04

    Split system reverse cycle ACs strategically placed around the home. That's the modern way of doing it. Heat pumps are very efficient so you can happily heat your house on cheap solar while gas prices keep rising. And place some thermometers around the house so it can take the guess work out of when to turn the heating/cooling on. I got a bunch of these in a deal earlier this year and they look pretty good, eink looks classy compared to cheap LCD https://mi-store.com.au/products/xiaomi-temperature-and-humi… Though you may want something compatible with whatever smart home system you're going for.

  • dtc on 20/10/2023 - 12:09
    +2

    As others have said, gaps and insulation first

    Splits are more efficient and can be targetted, but they look shit. So there is that.

  • MrThing on 20/10/2023 - 12:14
    +2

    splits and ceiling fans are the way to go

    in terms of energy efficiency ceiling fans are the go to. ofc DC motor ceiling fans

  • Euphemistic on 20/10/2023 - 12:34
    +1

    have you spent a summer there yet? Previous owners apparently could survive without AC or fans - but maybe they were from a tougher generation.

    Start with ceiling fans. They are cheap to run. Get the minimum AC you can live with. If you don’t have it you won’t be tempted to use the extra electricity for little gain.

    We have one dead split system and coped last summer - but we do get prevailing breezes to keep the house cool and it is relatively well designed to be passively cool. Ceiling fans in all rooms that get worked a lot. Remaining split system gets used up to a dozen days per year (few in winter, few in summer).

  • payless69 on 26/10/2023 - 17:49

    Make a good movie.
    The fans are then free…

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