Home Design Guides: Climate control

While the type of heater is an important consideration, so is where you put it, the availability and cost of fuel, and of course how much it'll cost to buy and run - among other things...

An important consideration if you're thinking about installing an air conditioner is how much noise it makes, and how that noise will affect your neighbours.

Properly cleaning and maintaining your air conditioner is vital to ensuring that it works properly, and that it's as efficient and effective as it's designed to be.

Not all heating fuels are created equal. Find out what the practical differences are between the various fuels you can use to heat your home.

Solid fuel heaters run on coal, wood and other combustible fuels. Where you live can have a big effect on the cost of solid fuels.

Natural gas is a relatively cheap fuel for heating, and is a popular option where gas reticulation is available.

Electricity is used for all kinds of heaters, but is particularly popular for space heaters because of how quickly they produce heat.

Reverse cycle airconditioners are effectively heat pump heaters. They are a cheap and efficient heating option, and provide both heating and cooling.

Hydronic heating uses heated water pumped through a network of pipes to radiators. It also works as under-floor heating.

Radiant bar heaters (or strip heaters) produce a lot of heat very quickly, and are ideal for areas like bathrooms, where heat is required for short amounts of time.

Finding the right cooling systems for your home is all about how your house is designed, how efficient you want it to be, where you live and how much you want to spend.

Heating and its associated industries are heavily regulated, mostly because of the obvious fire hazards they pose - but also to control air pollution, and similar issues.

Poor ventilation and ducting not only cause heaters to be inefficient, but are also hazardous. Find out what regulations apply to ducting and ventilation in Australia.

Wood heater and fireplace safety is very important. Both of these methods of heating use open flames, and if not managed correctly can create big problems very quickly.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) help people to compare the efficiency of different heaters using the same types of fuel. Find out what these labels mean.

It's one of those things that people neglect, but really shouldn't. Find out how (and why) you should maintain your heater to keep it safe, clean and efficient.

Occasionally cleaning your fireplace will help to ensure your home's not covered in ash and soot. Find out how to clean your fireplace without making too big a mess.

Keeping your flues and chimneys clear and free from blockages and creosote is all part of using a wood heater or fireplace, and essential if you don't want your home to fill with smoke!

Heating ducts carry air all around your house, and vents often get dirty as a result of how much air flows through them. Find out if (and how) you need to clean them.

There are many different ways to move air in and out of houses (or parts of houses). Find out more about different vents, and different ways to ventilate a home.