Improving indoor temperatures
Households installed efficient electric heating and cooling, or rooftop solar to offset running costs. Improved affordability increased people’s capacity to maintain healthy indoor temperatures.
Households installed efficient electric heating and cooling, or rooftop solar to offset running costs. Improved affordability increased people’s capacity to maintain healthy indoor temperatures.
Ruth, who lives in a rental arranged through family, has fibromyalgia and is the sole carer of her son with autism, explained the benefit of installing rooftop solar through CSH:
[I’m now] able to heat and cool my home whenever it’s needed, rather than a few hours a day, which was previously all I could afford.
Two-thirds of participants reported that after making upgrades through CSH they are now using their heating or cooling more to manage their health.
Indoor temperatures
Indoor temperatures in the main living area of the home were reported as improved for 89 per cent of Climate Safe Homes participants.
In-home temperature monitoring identified that living areas that had RCAC installed, or solar installed to run existing RCAC, through Climate Safe Homes, remained between 18 to 26oC for 88 per cent of the time over summer, compared to 79 per cent of the time for non-upgraded areas. Some 50 per cent of upgraded rooms remained within the range for 90 per cent or more of the time, compared to just 20 per cent of the non-upgraded rooms.
Thermal comfort
Some 90 per cent of participants also reported improved indoor comfort ratings. Summer comfort ratings rose from 37 per cent to 78 per cent and winter comfort ratings from 51 per cent to 74 per cent.
Geraldine, who installed solar panels to offset the running costs of the air conditioner and air purifier she relies on for her health, explains in this video how she now has a ‘safe’ room where she can stay comfortable. This is essential during thunderstorms when she is especially at risk of asthma.