What Orientation To The Sun Is Best For My New Custom Home?

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What Orientation To The Sun Is Best For My New Custom Home?

Frankly, I’m surprised so few Homeowners pay attention to the direction of the sun in relation to their home. It really makes a huge difference! More specifically, if the sun shines directly on the side of your home that has the most window glass, your power bill is going to sky rocket. Most Florida homes have lots of glass on the front and rear of their homes and little on the sides. The overhangs are normally 16” wide on all sides with some shading by the front door and maximum shading on the rear porch or Lanai. Additionally, if your Lanai is positioned on the side of the house that receives the late afternoon, summer sun, it’s going to be almost unusable until the sun goes down around 9PM. Also, if you are a late riser, positioning your master bedroom away from the rising sun may be important to you too.

For the purpose of this discussion I’m determining orientation to the sun as the position the front of your home will face in relation to the suns rays.

Eastern Exposure: The last time I checked the sun still rises in the east no matter where you live. That said, if the front of your home faces east you will have the direct rays of the sun striking all the front window glass until noon. After that, the front elevation will be in shade until the next day.  With eastern exposure the Lanai will receive the late afternoon sun. That may not be an issue for you in the winter when the warming sun is welcome but in the summer your Lanai will be quite uncomfortable. If you are fortunate enough to have lake front property, the sun reflecting off the water will magnify the effects of the setting sun.

Southern Exposure- The front of your home will receive a great deal of the warming, winter sun, when it’s lower in the sky and a moderate amount of the summer sun when it’s at the  apex. Since the rear of your home will be facing north the Lanai will receive none of the suns direct rays and will be cool winter and summer. 

Western Exposure- Since the front of your home has lots of glass windows your home will be light and bright all afternoon until sunset. This is the least energy efficient exposure if you are determined to have lower power bills. Having drapes on all the front facing windows would be a necessity. The rear Lanai would be a wonderful spot for morning coffee and watching the sunrise.

Northern Exposure- The front windows will not receive any of the suns direct rays but quite a bit of reflective light. The sun will arc above your rear lanai but will receive none of the suns direct light. This is the most energy efficient exposure to the sun.

Below is my personal ranking of the best and worst exposure to the sun..

1. Northern- best.

2. Southern

3. Western

4. Eastern- least.

If you’ve already purchased you building lot, before you build is the time to minimize or maximize the effects of the sun depending upon your preferences. There are features that can be designed into your home up front but will be difficult to modify once the plans are completed.

Have an awesome day!

Mike

www.regalclassichomes.com