The Winter We Never Talk About
Have you ever wondered why so many Australian homes feel like an icebox in winter? Why, despite living in a country famous for its beaches, BBQs, and balmy summers, you have to wear three layers of clothing and drag a heater from room to room in July? The brutal truth is that Australia’s reputation as a “warm” country has left its housing design in the dust. The result? Millions of people across the country – and especially right here in Perth – shiver every winter inside homes that were built for summer, not for comfort year-round.
This article is a deep dive into why this happens. We’ll cover everything from building standards and climate misconceptions to design flaws, thermal inefficiency, and how you can fix it. So, grab a warm drink, put on a beanie, and read on — this is the ultimate guide to understanding why Perth homes are so cold and how we can do better.
1. The “Sunny Australia” Myth — And Its Impact on Perth
People move to Perth for its beautiful beaches, long summer days, and a climate that feels like it shines forever. But “sunny” doesn’t mean “warm” when temperatures drop sharply overnight. Winter nights in Perth can dip down to 3–5 °C, making many homes feel like iceboxes.
Developers, builders, and buyers have long been lulled into the illusion that heating doesn’t matter. The result? A housing design culture that prioritises summer comfort and treats winter as an afterthought.
2. The Legacy of Colonial Architecture
Australian housing evolved from British-style builds introduced during early settlement. These homes featured:
✅ Verandahs and eaves to reduce summer heat.
❌ No consideration for winter temperatures.
❌ Single glazing and uninsulated walls.
❌ Gaps, cracks, and draught-prone floorboards.
In Perth, this meant homes were designed for breezes and summer shading — making winter nights uncomfortably cold.
3. The Cost of Insulation — And the Lack Thereof
Even today, roughly 80% of Perth homes have little or no ceiling and wall insulation. According to CSIRO, this is a national trend, and in Perth, it’s especially noticeable in older suburbs like Morley, Dianella, and Noranda.
Why?
- Older homes were built when energy was cheap, making thermal efficiency a low priority.
- Regulations were virtually nonexistent until the early 2000s.
Result? You lose 25–30% of your heat through the ceiling, walls, and floor. Whatever heating you use, it disappears quickly, making you spend more money to stay warm.
4. Single-Glazed Windows — Perth’s Achilles’ Heel
Windows are one of the biggest reasons Perth homes lose heat. Most older homes across Morley, Noranda, and Dianella have single-glazed windows that make it nearly impossible to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
While double and triple glazing have been standard for decades across Europe and North America, many Perth homes still rely on windows that allow heat to seep out and cold air to seep in.
5. The Draught Effect: Leaky Perth Homes
If you’ve ever felt a cold breeze when sitting in your lounge room, you’ve felt the draught problem first-hand. Perth homes — especially those built between the 1960s and 1990s — have numerous air gaps:
✅ Under doors.
✅ Around windows.
✅ Through old roof spaces.
✅ Between floorboards.
Each gap may seem insignificant, but together, they create a wind tunnel that makes heating a room an expensive and ineffective endeavor.
6. The Thermal Mass Myth
Modern sustainable housing in cold climates uses thermal mass — concrete, stone, or brick walls that retain and release heat. In Perth, many homes have plasterboard walls and thin construction that offer virtually no thermal benefit.
Result? Whatever heating you use quickly dissipates, making homes cold as soon as the heater is turned off.
7. The Open-Plan Obsession
Open-plan spaces dominate Perth homes — ideal for summer, challenging for winter. These spaces:
✅ Let summer breezes circulate easily.
❌ Let warm air rise and dissipate quickly.
❌ Make heating harder and more costly.
If your living area has high ceilings, expect warm air to gather where you can’t feel it.
8. Regulations and Standards: Too Little, Too Late
Although new builds must now adhere to thermal efficiency standards, older Perth homes don’t benefit from these advances. Regulations introduced in the early 2000s came too late for many existing properties, leaving a huge portion of Perth housing stock cold, leaky, and thermally inefficient.
9. The Culture of Underheating in Perth
Why do Perth homes remain cold? Because heating has long been treated as an afterthought. Unlike places like Victoria or New Zealand, where central heating is standard, many Perth homes still use:
✅ Space heaters.
✅ Gas bayonets.
✅ Reverse-cycle units that only operate when absolutely necessary.
Result? Even when heating is used, it doesn’t overcome the fundamental thermal deficiencies of the structure.
10. The Human Cost of Cold Perth Homes
The brutal reality is that cold homes affect more than comfort:
✅ Increased risk of respiratory illnesses and asthma.
✅ Higher mortality rates in winter compared to cooler climates like Scandinavia.
✅ Reduced quality of life for families and the elderly.
According to the Australian National University, cold temperatures kill more Australians each year than summer heat — and this is especially true in climates like Perth, where housing design hasn’t kept up with environmental needs.
11. What You Can Do to Stay Warm and Save Money
If you’re tired of shivering through winter nights, here’s what you can do:
✅ Check Insulation: Focus on ceilings first, then walls and floor spaces.
✅ Double Glazing: Upgrade windows for a significant thermal benefit.
✅ Seal Leaks: Install door sweeps and weather stripping.
✅ Use Heavy Curtains and Pelmets: Reduce the loss of warm air.
✅ Reverse-Cycle Air Conditioning: More energy-efficient than space heaters.
✅ Zone Your Home: Close off spaces you aren’t using.
✅ Move Towards Thermal Mass: Consider renovation materials that retain warmth.
12. Will Things Ever Change?
There is progress. New regulations now require higher thermal efficiency in new builds. Sustainable housing and renovation grants are available. But for the millions living in older Perth homes, the best solution is proactive improvement.
Final Thoughts: Perth Deserves Better
Perth is a beautiful city. It’s a place defined by beaches, sun, and an easy lifestyle. Yet every winter, countless families find themselves wrapped in layers, huddled around a heater, and wishing for a home that delivers comfort year-round.
The brutal truth? We can do better. Perth deserves warm, efficient, and well-built homes that work in every season. We have the knowledge, technology, and resources — it’s time to use them.
If you live in Perth, you deserve a house that feels like a home — no matter how cold it gets outside.
Frequently Asked Questions about Perth Homes and Winter Comfort
Why are Perth homes so cold?
Most Perth homes were built with summer in mind. They lack adequate insulation, have single glazing, and are riddled with draughts, making them cold and costly to heat in winter.
What can I do to make my Perth home warmer?
Start by adding ceiling and wall insulation, sealing gaps, and upgrading to double glazing. Use thermal curtains and consider zoning your heating spaces.
Are new Perth homes better insulated?
Yes. New builds must adhere to stricter thermal efficiency standards introduced in the early 2000s, making them warmer and cheaper to heat.
Will insulating save me money?
Absolutely. Properly insulating your Perth home can reduce heating costs by 30–50%.
Do I really need double glazing in Perth?
If comfort and efficiency matter, yes. Double glazing significantly reduces heat loss and condensation.
And if these cold winter nights have got you thinking about making a move — finding a warmer, more comfortable space or starting a new chapter — that’s where The Swiatek System can help.
