Melbourne--in the summer is air conditioning a must ?
 

We have a possible rental apt but no AC.. in January.. the owner said well its on a tree shaded block and there is a fan so its not too bad.. so it is one bad:(
I know oz is known for hot hot summers and I don't want 6 sleepless nights so what say you all??

In January, it's got a fair possibility to be near 100F. Not terribly humid, but a little more so sometimes lately. Aussies are a little more used to going without AC than where I was from in the US. (homes with central air don't exist - rooms are cooled or more rarely, a house might have evaporative cooling). But not sure what you're already used to. We're in Melbourne and our home doesn't have a/c, some family members are the same, but lengths like window tinting and awnings are always installed to abate that problem.

Anyway, the short version is that it's very possible that you're going to wish you had AC in Melb in January. But I have been in houses that are surprisingly cool (say, 10 degrees cooler inside). You should probably ensure they have some sort of fans or portable A/C available. You want some moving air at the least and wouldn't want to have to go buy those for such a short visit.

As a Melbournite of 35 years before I moved. I would say that yes you need air conditioning in January. Of course if you're getting something so absolutely fabulous for your money that you cannot live without, then yes, you will manage, although you'll be a bit sweaty. The owner is probably doing a big sales pitch.

Ditto.
Melbourne had 9 days in a row this summer over 30. With most of those nights not dropping below 20.

You can cope but A/C would be nice.

I think it depends on what you are used to. Some of our January nights in Melbourne can be very sticky, mid twenties (celsius) in the middle of the night at times. We have aircon only in part of the house but rarely use it, as we're used to not having it on. Most people growing up in Australia would never have had aircon in the house. It's more common these days. But if you feel the heat or are used to cooler temperatures, especially at night, then look for somewhere with aircon. If it's an apartment, it's likely only the lounge room or bedroom will have it, not the whole house. (Unless it's somewhere purpose built, maybe like Citadines in the city?)

Kay

I can't think of anywhere in Australia that I'd be willing to stay w/o AC in January.

<(homes with central air don't exist - rooms are cooled or more rarely, a house might have evaporative cooling).>

I'm happy to report that we have a house with central air Clifton...after suffering for four years with evaporative (which is absolutely worthless in my experience).

Wow. Mel - I've yet to see central air, in houses from new bungalow units to quite large homes on property. Lucky you ('til the electric bill comes!)

I think the area matters as far as A/C. I know the way it works would have made it useless back in Memphis or St. Louis, for instance. But other than a couple of days when it heated up dramatically immediately after a summer rain, it really worked quite well in our last place as well as at some friend's places. Felt just like A/C walking in from a hot day, except less refrigerated and more like cool breezes going through. Fresher with strategic windows open as well, which you have to have with evap or it doesn't work (as it's all based on low humidity and air flow).

Already received the summer electric bill Clifton. It was higher than last year's evaporative bill for the same time frame(due in part to the never-ending increases in electricity prices in Perth). It's also a bigger house.

Instead of the 90+F temps we routinely saw indoors on our second floor with the evaporative running full tilt, we stayed gloriously cool and didn't suffer through the OZ summer for the first time in five years. Worth every single penny!

I suspect the new house (which is indeed new) is much better insulated than the old place and much better built.

I'm glad evaporative works for you. Perhaps it's the climate difference, but for us, evaporative in Perth is just an illusion of cool and is as useful as screen doors on a submarine.

Back to Perth later in the week, after a mixed bag of weather here in CO, including some single digit days.

I think the question of air conditioning depends on where you are staying. You don't need air con in Hobart, we live without it in Melbourne, but if we were in north Aust, say Cairns or Darwin, then we'd have it.

Perth can be very hot. I witnessed 45 degrees C in Perth - the hottest day then of record.

Apologies - I should have read the title.

The visitor is coming to Melbourne. For a short stay, yes, look for A/C if visiting after Christmas.

Yes -you should try and find a place with air conditioning .

We live in Adeliade and most of our house has a fully ducted reverse cycle system - a 1918 bungalow.
We managed for some years with evaporative but this works well.
We probably only use it overnight a couple of nights each summer - but great during hot days.

Only our two front rooms are not part of the system as they have very decorative plaster ceilings! They stay cool.

Yes having been there for a week this past Feb
John

It totally depend on you and which region you belong. If you have faced a hot temperature in your country, then you might be fine. But you are from European country, then my advice is to have AC.

Yes, Melbourne in summer can be unbearably hot - I lived there for 3 years. The only exception is if your rental is in an old, old home with very thick walls. They stay cool if you keep the doors and windows closed.

Trees will hardly help at all in 37* plus.

Thenks Kev, great advice. Well done, cobber.

Now move on. The dogs are pissing on your swag.

but,you must have been warned by the after affects of the horrendous phenomenon 'Global Warming'! .The split system air conditioner in melbourne can be the best blessing that you can ask for in the summer season.

Having watched the sweltering conditions at the Aussie open [held every January in Melbourne] there's no way that I would want to stay there at that time without very good air con. but then i'm a brit who feels hot when it goes over 20C.