When it comes to keeping your home and everyone in it comfy and cosy, you don’t always need a full-on home retrofit. Sometimes, focusing on just one room can do wonders. Enter the magical world of “cocooning”—a clever trick to create a snug, climate safe room that stays perfect all year round!
What’s the Deal with Cocooning?
Think of cocooning as giving one room in your home a superhero cape against temperature extremes. It’s an ideal solution if you’re not ready to retrofit the entire house. By making one room as “tight” as possible, you can seriously cut down on heat escaping in the winter and keep the summer heat at bay. This means you’ll have a cosy haven that stays just right—neither too hot nor too cold. Just remember, keeping an eye on indoor air quality is key to making sure your cosy cocoon is also a healthy one.
And here’s the cool part: Once your room is cocooned, you only need to use the reverse cycle air conditioning (RCAC) for a quick 10-minute burst in the morning and evening to keep things comfy. Of course, you can crank up the RCAC if you’re in the mood for some extra chill!
How We Perfected Cocooning
Our cocooning method was born from a heartfelt council project , back in 2011, aimed at helping Home and Community Care (HACC) participants – many on tight budgets – survive the blistering Mildura heat (we’re talking 50℃!). With air conditioning being a costly luxury, we found that cocooning was a lifesaver, offering comfort without breaking the bank. It was some of the most rewarding work we’ve done at ecoMaster, and it warms our hearts to know it made a real difference.
Now, while 3EA has helped develop and implement Climate Safe Rooms (CSRs) for low income and social housing groups for Councils, cocooning can still be something you can easily do yourself. You don’t need to wait to retrofit your whole home; cocooning is about using smart, low-cost strategies to create a safe, comfortable room you can rely on—especially for high-risk days during extreme heat or cold.
Steps to Your Own Climate Safe Room
Ready to create your own cosy retreat? Follow these steps to cocoon your room and turn it into your personal climate-controlled sanctuary!
Pick the Perfect Room
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- Think Outside the Box: Choose a room that will make the most of your cocooning efforts. For summer, a room on the south side of your home is your best bet. If you have a spare bedroom, consider transforming it into a comfy sitting area with everything you need to stay entertained, like a TV or a good book.
- Purpose Matters: If you’re converting a spare room, make sure it’s set up with things to keep you occupied during the day. That way, your cocooned room becomes a perfect retreat, day or night!
Shield the Room from the Outside
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- Install Removable Shading: Use removable shading solutions to block the sun from hitting your external walls. Items like water tanks or polystyrene vegetable boxes can do the trick.
- Block the Sun: Prevent the sunlight from warming up the walls by adding simple barriers.
Enhance the Room from the Inside
Entrances and Exits:
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- WARNING: Make sure there is no open flame gas burning in the room before you take this step!
- Seal Draughts: Ensure the room is draught-proof. Seal any fireplaces if applicable and use draught excluders at the bottom of doors.
- Add Perimeter Seals: Install perimeter seals (Draught Dodgers) around doors to block any sneaky draughts.
- Upgrade Cavity Sliders: If your room has a cavity slider, draught proof them to ensure it’s sealed properly and stops draughts.
Ceiling:
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- Upgrade Your Lighting: Replace halogen downlights with fully sealed IC4 LED lights to avoid gaps and improve insulation.
- Super Insulate: Add extra insulation to your ceiling, going beyond the usual standards. This will help keep your room’s temperature stable.
Windows:
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- Draught-Proof Windows: Make sure your windows are sealed tight to keep out the cold and the heat.
- Window Coverings: Update or add thermal barriers to your window coverings. Install Renshade or similar products to improve insulation.
Maintaining Comfort with Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning
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- Smart Usage: Once the room is cocooned, use air conditioning strategically. Running the A/C for just 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening can keep temperatures down. If needed, crank it up a little longer to maintain the ideal temperature.
Why Cocooning Works
As mentioned, the cocooning concept was initially developed as part of a Mildura Council project aimed at helping people manage extreme heat without relying heavily on air conditioning. The results were remarkable—cocooning was incredibly effective, and for some households, it was life-changing. The simple act of creating a comfortable, protected space gave many a much-needed relief from the oppressive heat, proving that sometimes, less is more.
Who Does Cocooning Work For?
The quick answer is “everyone!” However, the most effective results will be felt by those who spend a lot of time at home, whether you’re working from home, retired, or simply enjoy spending time indoors. Cocooning is perfect for anyone who needs to escape the extreme temperatures for a little peace and comfort.
People have even taken this a step further by preparing food, snacks, and drinks in their cocoon room and spending entire days there—sometimes with a good book or puzzle to pass the time. As the temperatures drop in the evening, it’s always a good idea to open up the room and let it fully ventilate to maintain good air quality.
Conclusion: Ready to Cocoon?
With a little effort, you can create a climate safe room in your own home without needing a complete overhaul. Cocooning isn’t just for the vulnerable or the elderly—it’s for anyone looking to stay comfortable during extreme weather while reducing energy costs. Whether it’s for a sweltering summer or a chilly winter, you can turn one room into your personal, energy-efficient sanctuary.
So, get your hands on that insulation, seal those draughts, and set up a cosy retreat that will keep you comfortable all year long.
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