Sunshine Coast Council, Media Release, 10 July 2023
Here’s a great chance to tap into inspiring tips from Sunshine Coast design experts and learn how to make your home comfortable all year round.
Sunshine Coast Council has developed a free educational design booklet, online course and smart phone compass to help you better understand our local sub-tropical climate and how the sun in winter and summer influences the liveability of our homes.
Implementing even a few of the tips will make a difference to how your home feels, improve comfort levels and help lower energy bills.
Owners are advised to consider the location of rooms, create and merge indoor and outdoor living spaces, look to achieve more air flow, choose the right building materials, use sunlight to illuminate interiors and shape gardens and trees for shade.
Sunshine Coast Council’s Service Excellence Portfolio Councillor Christian Dickson said he encouraged locals looking to build, buy or renovate to read the Cool Homes for the Sunshine Coast booklet, to help make smarter design decisions.
“Now is the time to think about the forecasted dry and hot summer season that lies ahead, as good design can help you save on cooling costs,” Cr Dickson said.
“We also have the ability to enjoy an indoor and outdoor lifestyle – especially if we have a home designed to make the most of our weather.
“Living on the Sunshine Coast is, of course, very different to living down south and there is a lot we can do to make our homes more comfortable for the different seasons.”
Understanding the Sunshine Coast climate
The Sunshine Coast enjoys a sub-tropical climate that is hot and humid in summer, and mostly cool and mild in winter. Whether your home is on the coast or in the hinterland, you can enjoy a healthy and comfortable indoor/outdoor lifestyle all year round.
A thoughtfully designed home will work with the climate – it will keep the heat out in summer and the cold out during winter. It will allow the warming sun into your home when it’s cold and cooling breezes to flow through your home during the hotter months.
Don’t delay – it’s heating up!
Even though the Sunshine Coast has one of the most liveable climates in the world, it is not immune to the warming impact of climate change. The number of very hot and humid days is on the rise.
Make smart decisions now about what to buy, or how to create a comfortable home for you and your loved ones into the future.
Rewards of a home designed for the climate
- Your home will feel comfortable all year without relying on air conditioning and heating.
- You’ll enjoy an indoor/outdoor lifestyle in every season.
- Your home will have increased light in winter and shade in summer.
- Your health and wellbeing will benefit.
- Your energy use will be reduced, so lower electricity costs.
- Your home will likely retain or improve its value.
7 ways to create a comfortable Sunshine Coast home
- Consider the location of your rooms to maximise sunlight
- Create and merge indoor and outdoor living spaces
- Let breezes in
- Use sunlight to illuminate and warm your home
- Choose the right building materials
- Create shade
- Include gardens and trees
More useful resources
Visit the Sunshine Coast Design website for more resources to help with your home design or renovation www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sunshinecoastdesign
