Siting Your Home for Energy Efficiency!

When thinking about siting your home, the number one concern is energy efficiency. We should always be looking for possible options of improving the functionality of the home. Utilizing your environment and its surroundings can have a great impact on your overall well-being, your surrounding eco-system and the money you ultimately save.

Now, let’s get started…


Facing South!

Position your home with its long side facing south. In doing so, you will gain maximum exposure and heating potential from the winter sun’s low angle rays. Siting your home this way will also allow for lower exposure and minimal heating potential from the summer sun.


Finding “True North!”

“True” North is not the same as “Magnetic” North. In order to find “true” north you must have a Topographical Map from the US Geological Survey Department, a compass and a degree dial.

The topographical maps show three north bearings:

• Magnetic North
• True North
• Grid North

We want to concentrate on the Declination or difference between Magnetic North and True North. Declination can be as much as 20 degrees difference.

Now let’s walk through the process.

1. First, you will find the declination in your area by looking at your topographical map. Let’s say its 10 degrees east.

2. While standing on your property, use your compass to find magnetic north.

3. Now match the degree dial up with the direction of magnetic north on the compass. Once that is complete, turn the degree dial 10 degrees east.

Now, here is another way to help you find “True” North, please visit the Compass Store. Here you will be able to calculate and find the declination value of your area very quickly and be on your way to siting your home properly.


Maximizing the Energy Efficiency of your Home with “True” South Orientation.

1. Use fewer windows and doors on the north side of the home. Windows and doors are better conductors of heat compared to a well insulated or solid wall.

2. Utilize more windows and doors on the south side of your home to gain more heat energy during the winter months. During the summer months make sure those windows and doors are properly shaded.

3. Here are some examples of properly shading your home.
   • Utilize deciduous trees near your home.

   • Utilize awnings.

   • Increase roof overhangs to protect from the summer sun.

Here are some examples of this:

1. Always try to allow public areas to face south. Your living room, dining room and kitchen would be considered public areas.

2. Always try to allow non-public areas to face north. The bedrooms, garage, utility room and storage areas would be considered non-public areas.

1. If you live in a cold or temperate climate, then try and place your home at the midway point between the ridge and the valley of a hill. Your home will not be exposed to the high winds on the ridge or the cold air settling in the valley.

2. Also, while living in a cold and temperate climate, utilize a basement with only its south side exposed as a walk out basement. The north, west and eastern sides should be underground or protected by natural barriers in order to divert the cold air around and away from your home.

3. If you live in a hot and dry climate, then try and place your home near the valley. The cold air settles at night and cools your home.

4. If you live in a hot and humid climate, then try and place your home near a ridge. Cool breezes tend to be attracted to ridges, so your home will be cool year round.

Winter and summer tend to have wind coming from different directions. We should be thinking of ways to enhance the benefits and minimize the hazards of wind. Here are some suggestions:

1. Think of ways to keep the northerly winds away from your home by using trees, hills or other buildings.

2. Also, try to allow the summer winds to surround your home by keeping obstacles and obstructions clear.

3. In cold and temperate climates:
   • When looking for property near a body of water, stay away from the southern side. You will only be asking for extreme trouble and an increase in energy costs. Be on the look out for property on the east and west shores of a body of water, if this is the location you desire.

   • Always be aware of your surroundings and if there are adjacent buildings, vegetation or topographical areas which promote the flow of cold winter winds. Siting your home in the path of a cold winter wind stream is very non-efficient.

4. In hot and humid climates:
   • Again, always be aware of your surroundings and the adjacent buildings, vegetation or topographical areas. But in this case, siting your home in the path of the cool summer wind stream is ideal. It will serve as a wonderful way to cool your home and save cooling costs during the summer.

If there is ever a question between utilizing solar versus wind efficiency while siting your home, then solar takes precedence because it will have a greater impact in heating and cooling your home.

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