Energy-Saving Tips for Victorian Homes (Without Sweating Through Summer)
Staying cool doesn’t have to mean scary power bills
Victorian summers can be all over the place – four seasons in a day and then a week of dry, hot northerlies.
You want your home to be comfortable, but you also don’t want a shock when the power bill arrives.
Here are some practical ways to keep your place cool and your running costs under control, without feeling like you’re living in a cave.
Do you think you're looking to upgrade an older system?
New Air Conditioning Systems
1. Choose the right temperature
Every degree counts.
Setting your air-con at 24–25°C instead of 20–21°C can significantly reduce energy use.
In most Victorian homes, 24°C feels comfortably cool when combined with fans and shade.
Think of your system as a way to take the edge off the heat, not as a way to turn your lounge room into a fridge.
2. Use fans to move cool air
Ceiling or pedestal fans use a fraction of the power of an air conditioner.
Run fans in rooms you’re using to help circulate cool air
You can often raise the air-con setpoint by 1–2°C and feel just as comfortable
This is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs without sacrificing comfort.
3. Close up during the day, flush heat out at night
Victorian evenings can be cooler than the daytime, especially after a cool change.
Daytime: close blinds and curtains, especially on west and north-facing windows
Night: when it’s cooler outside, open windows and let the house breathe
This reduces the amount of heat your air-con has to fight against.
4. Zone your cooling
If you have a zoned ducted system, don’t cool the whole house when you’re only using a couple of rooms.
Close off unused zones (e.g. spare bedrooms during the day)
Focus cooling on the living areas when the family is together
In the evening, cool bedrooms and reduce other zones
If you’re using split systems, prioritise the areas where people actually spend time.
Thinking about zoning or multiple split systems?
Ducted & Multi-Split Solutions
5. Keep your system clean and serviced
A system that’s struggling will chew through more energy.
Clean or replace filters regularly
Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and debris
Book regular servicing, especially if your system is older or used heavily
A well-maintained unit can cool more effectively and cost less to run.
Book a maintenance visit:
Air Conditioning Service & Maintenance
6. Consider an upgrade if your system is past its prime
If your air conditioner is 10–15 years old, it might be:
Less efficient than newer inverter models
Noisy, unreliable or slow to cool
Costing you more in power than it should
Sometimes the most energy-efficient move is replacing an old unit with a modern, appropriately sized system.
A First Choice technician can assess your home and recommend options that balance comfort, efficiency and budget.
Tip from the Expert
“Energy efficiency is often about small habits,” says the First Choice Heating & Cooling team.
“Set a sensible temperature, use fans, block out heat and keep your system maintained – the savings add up over a whole summer.”
Want help choosing the most efficient way to cool your home?
👉 Book an in-home assessment with First Choice Heating & Cooling and we’ll recommend the right system and setup for your space, budget and lifestyle.
