With this floor plan, which direction should it face to save energy?

Question

http://www.darlinghomes.com/plan_details.aspx?MetroID=1000&SubdivisionId=1072&PriceSeriesId=1010&PlanNumber=5280

which direction should it face to make the house stay cool in summer and warm in winter?

There are study and master room in the front, and family living room in the back. We don't want none of these area to get really hot in summer or during the afternoon.

We are in Dallas, Texas. If we have the house facing north, I guess the sun will be really harsh during summer in the living room. Is there anyone's house is similar to this and facing a good direction that feels nice throughout the house year round without too much A/C or heater?

Answer 1

I would say let the living and dining areas face south, then have a porch or awning to shade the windows as the sun gets higher in the sky. The presence of the second story will keep heat gain from the attic from getting in to the downstairs area. Good attic ventilation will help keep the upstairs cooler. Make sure the house is well insulated and get an air conditioning unit(s) with the energy star rating. You could also plant some shade trees, or alter the home's orientation to take advantage of existing shade trees.

Answer 2

That layout doesn't seem very energy efficient to me. I have an earth sheltered house with a green roof. I have literally NO heating or cooling costs. I use passive energy by using a southfacing wall of glass that light heats up a massive stone floor. During the night the stone radiates heat back into the house. I have solar panels that provide electricity for what I need, and a whirlybird outside that provides the rest. I would look into a better floor plan too.

I don't know why so many people are building HUGE grand homes, its just to show off I think. You need basics- sleeping areas, bathroom, food storage and preperation/eating area, and a communal area. You don't need fancy walk in closets, master suites and all that. Make your house as simple as possible.

Answer 3

Hmn,...

Can you situate the house on your lot in any direction? I would think the delevoper will limit you as to how it can be placed to make all the electrical and plumbing go the way they planned.

If you can face it any direction you want, I would suggest having the long wall from the garage to the master bedroom as a south facing wall for the following reasons:

Fewer windows to admit heat and light - the wall can be converted to a heat sink (it's a water filled wall that will absorb heat during the day - this can radiate heat in the evening during the winter or be circulated to keep those back rooms cool in the summer).

The long wall can be used for a passive solar water heater (it's used to supplement your hot water - can save a good deal in hot water heating costs)

Hopefully you are having solar panels on the roof?

Answer 4

it actually does matter because if it faces north then the sun will come up one way and go down another, just to your liking, you should pick if you want to have the sun face the front of the house in the morning or evening/afternoon. i myself say that a east facing house is the best because u can go out your front door and have the sun glare in your face making it a beautiful view!!! one other solution could be just to get a house made of special bricks. if you have already learned, in the past people made their houses with special bricks that contain heat. so in the summer, they would contain the heat because of the massive amount of sunlight and make your interior house warm but not scorching. and in the winter, it would contain heat, but because there is not much sunlight it would push the heat in, and it would keep your house warm and to the exact temperature that everyone likes!!!

Answer 5

You should face south. The trick though is to plant tress that will shade the house in the summer, but lose their leaves in the winter allowing the sun to warm the room. It works for us.

Answer 6

Feng Shui says to put your front door facing south.

Answer 7

a northern exposure gives light without so much heat.

Answer 8

That's impossible to answer, you didn't say where you are building.