orientation of the house

7/30/2019 orientation of the house

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Orientation

Pic: Powered Living Ltd

If your home is oriented to take advantage of warm sun and cooling breezes, youll achieve greater

comfort at lower cost.

In general, ideal orientation means:

you get the right amount of sun - plenty in winter and in cooler climates, not too much in summer

and in warmer climates

you?re protected from strong/cold winds but can take advantage of breezes to cool your home

when it is too warm.

When youre designing a home or planning renovations, therell also be other considerations such as

local climate, view, terrain, vegetation, street access and noise. Youll need to balance these against

the benefits you can achieve through harnessing the suns energy for heating and breezes for

cooling.

On this pageWhen should you think about orientation? Positioning for sun Letting in breezes,

keeping out wind Other considerations More information

When should you think about orientation?

It's important to consider orientation if you're buying a property (including an apartment or

townhouse), or designing a new home or renovation.


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It's also worth considering orientation for your existing home. There may be simple ways to improve

orientation - for example, increasing the size of north-facing windows, or swapping rooms around so

you're using the sunniest rooms as living areas.

Positioning for sun

To make the most of the sun for warmth and natural light, your home's main living areas (or any

rooms you use a lot) should face north. The main glazing in the house, such as windows, skylights

and glass doors, should also face north. Anywhere between 20?W - 30?E of true north is fine.

You'll want less glazing facing west because of the potential for glare and overheating from lateafternoon sun. East-facing glazing captures morning sun and can be sized according to your

preference for light, heat control and ventilation in summer. South-facing windows receive minimal

sun and should be relatively small to avoid heat loss but allow for light and ventilation.

The exact amounts and proportions of glazing will vary depending on other considerations such asclimate, how well insulated your home is and how energy efficient your glazing is. You may, for

example, want less north-facing glass in a warmer, sunnier climate.

Place windows to make the most of the sun

The exact amount of heat your home gets from the sun will depend on the season, time of day,

weather, local climate and rate of air pollution. Heat is greatest when the sun is at a high angle

relative to the horizon (i.e. it's higher at noon than at dawn or dusk). Heat is also greater in summer

than winter.

Even if your home doesn't face due north, windows can be positioned to get north sun


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Buildings, trees and terrain that block the sun

To make the most of the sun, your home should ideally be positioned as far as possible from

neighbouring buildings, terrain or vegetation that might block north sun:

A site that slopes north will get more sun than a south-facing slope. A south-facing slope will be

more shady, which may be useful in summer but restrict your ability to make the most of the sun's

warmth in winter.

A site that runs north-south should get sun throughout most of the day. Neighbouring homes won't

generally block the sun during the middle of the day, but they may provide shade in early mornings

or late afternoons if they're close to the boundary.

A site that runs east-west is more likely to have its north sun blocked by neighbouring houses.

However, this depends on how wide the site is and how close neighbouring homes are to the

boundary.

If a north-facing site is too narrow, you'll have limited ability to place your living areas along a large

north wall. Try making the most of morning or afternoon sun in a number of rooms.

Note that in winter, objects cast shadows two to three times their height, so if possible your home

should be sited well back from anything that might block the sun. Building along the southern

boundary is a good idea if your local council permits it.

Neighbouring buildings can block winter sun. If possible, build your home a sufficient distance away

from buildings and other obstructions. Note that in winter obstructions will cast shadows two or

three times' their height


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Even if your site isn't ideal for catching the sun (for example because it slopes south), it may be

possible to maximise the sun's warmth using north-facing clerestory windows or other glazing.

Clerestory window to bring north sun into a south-facing home

Shade when you need it

If you orient your home to make the most of the sun, you can use shading and ventilation to keep

your home cool in summer.

Because the sun travels higher in the sky in summer and lower in winter, you can use features such

as overhanging eaves and vegetation to ensure you get don't get too much sun in summer. You can

also position your home to get shade from neighbouring homes, terrain or trees when the sun is at

its hottest, such as late afternoons in summer.

The sun travels higher in the sky in summer

Letting in breezes, keeping out wind

From southerly gales to northwesterly blasts, wind is an issue in many parts of New Zealand. Ideally,

you'll orient your home in a way that avoids the strongest and coldest winds - but still allows you to

harness mild breezes to keep you cool in summer.

Vegetation can be used to filter harsh winds, and landscape and building structure can be used to

deflect cooling breezes into the interior but exclude harsh winds. Other features such as well-

designed windows will also help.


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When you're thinking about orienting your home to catch breezes and avoid wind, consider:

whether there is a prevailing wind direction (vegetation patterns can sometimes indicate this, or

you can ask the neighbours; coastal breezes are usually from an onshore direction)

whether the wind changes with season - in terms of direction and strength

whether the wind strength or direction changes at different times of day - for example, in hilly

areas cool breezes often flow down valleys in late evening and early morning

how exposed the site is to wind - winds are stronger near coastal areas and ridgetops

whether the strength is affected by nearby buildings, hills and vegetation - buildings and valleys can

funnel winds (which makes them stronger), and hills and vegetation can provide shelter.

Other considerations

As well as sun and breezes, you'll also need to consider orientation to:

take advantage of views

avoid noise

achieve privacy

achieve the appearance you want for your home

ensure you have clear street access.

Beware of west-facing views. If you orient your house west, your home will get the full glare of late

afternoon sun and it may also be exposed to strong winds.

Striking a balance

Achieving the ideal orientation is about striking a balance between sun, breeze and these other

factors. If you compromise on orientation in order to take advantage of views, you may still be able

to make your home energy-efficient by using features such as good insulation and well-placed, well-

sized windows.


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orientation of the house

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