this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2023
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So at work today, the discussion of household heating and gas/electricity bills came up (entering winter Down Under), and I commented that we have our central heating set to 14 Celsius (approx 57 Freedoms) overnight, and off during the day/evening. We find that 14 is quite comfortable under a fluffy doona/duvet. I was warmly mocked (well natured), and informed that something closer to 24C (75F) is appropriate, day and night.

Surely not... right?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I set temp to 18C when at home during the day, and 16/17C when away or night.
Bad insulation (empty air..), so if I lower too much it take hours to heat up again.

[โ€“] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ahh yes, we also suffer from a lack of insulation. Empty ceiling and walls. The 50s was a pretty relaxed era for Australian housing.

[โ€“] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's a house from the early 70s in France.
There was almost no insulation. First rules to improve that started around 1974.

How does it work in Australia? Does gouv try to help people to improve that in old houses?
I guess it would be great for summer as I think it's pretty warm there.

[โ€“] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't believe the government has any running initiatives to improve energy ratings on old houses, but there are certainly standards for new builds like you would have today. Generally speaking, because the summer sun disproportionately heats up our metal roof (and our ceiling cavity is not insulated), it will get to around 2-3 degrees hotter inside than it is outside, if no climate control is used.

The advantage on a sunny winter day, is that it can be 10 degrees outside, and 17 inside if we're lucky :) (but of course that heat vanishes the moment the sun goes behind the trees.)

[โ€“] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hotter inside than outside must be a nightmare especially to sleep.
I manage to keep temperature around 23/24 during summer and exceptionality 26/27 during heat wave. But I don't have AC.

It's a bit more difficult on winter when the max temperature of the day is 1-2 degrees and there is no sun. Radiators need work frequently to keep 18 degrees.
I wish we would have more sunny winter days.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm curious, what is the construction of an average 70s home in your region?

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Traditional houses from the 70s are usually a basement and the house upstairs.
Basement is often half or totally underground.
Then the wall are made with cinder blocks, empty air and bricks.
There is chimney (not sure the term in English), so you can heat with wood, but most of the time there is central heating with Gaz or Fuel to replace or in complement.

How is it in your country ?