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Proper Solar Orientation

Building Science-to-Sales Translator

Proper Solar Orientation = Natural Comfort Orientation

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Technical Description

The sun can warm homes, provide daylight, heat water, and even produce electricity. How homes are designed and situated on the lot can have a big impact on how much of the sun’s free energy can be harvested. Natural comfort orientation takes into consideration a home’s shape, the climate, exposure to the sun, and shading that can block the sun’s energy. A home oriented north-south will optimize exposure to solar energy while minimizing overheating from the low-angled east-west sun. This requires proper placement of windows and overhangs to help  control solar exposure during hot times of the year and the day. Careful placement of plants and trees puts shading where it does the most good.

Alternate Terms

Energy-Saving Natural-Comfort Orientation

Natural Comfort Orientation
Sales Message

Natural comfort orientation integrates architectural design with seasonal sun-path variations. What this means to you is a home with no glare, optimized daylight, maximum views from windows, free heating and cooling, and radiant comfort. Wouldn’t agree it’s smart to live in a better home at no extra cost?

Disclaimer

This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.