Building orientation determines the passive solar heat gain or heat loss of the home throughout the year. It is the golden design rule for potentially lower energy usage and increased comfort, and will continue to deliver benefits from the sun free of charge for the life of the home.
The orientation of your home can make a big difference when it comes to energy efficiency. When building a new home, you can reduce the need for expensive heating and cooling by orientating your new home so that it takes advantage of the natural warming effect of the sun in winter, while staying cooler in summer by limiting exposure to the harsh Australian sun.
In most climates, the best orientation means positioning living areas and windows on north-facing walls to let in low-angle winter sun and using horizontal shading devices to exclude high-angle summer sun. Since the best orientation varies for colder, warm and temperate climates, it's always best to consult with an expert thermal assessor like Australian Energy Raters before designing your new home.
