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URBAN EYES COFFS HARBOUR

Passive solar design basics - site selection

10/6/2016

3 Comments

 
In most Australian climates, particularly in warm temperate and subtropical areas such as Coffs Harbour, it is relatively easy to reduce or even eliminate energy consumption for heating and cooling a house. This is easier to achieve in a new house, as a lot of the most important aspects of passive solar design relate to initial design issues.

Possibly the most important thing to consider is building orientation. Generally, you want the house to be rectangular with the long sides facing north and south, and the short sides facing west and east. Doing this will facilitate controlling solar gains to the house, allowing sunlight to enter in winter and be kept out in summer.

If you're looking at buying a vacant property for a new house design, look for sites that will allow for a house to be built on an east-west axis. The same goes if you are looking at buying an existing house: look for rectangular houses that have their long sides facing north.

Note that it is still possible to design highly efficient houses on sites with less optimal orientation. This requires more innovative design approaches, which can result in more interesting design outcomes. If you're looking for professional advice on selecting a new property or a new house, please feel free to contact me.
Passive solar design orientation
3 Comments
Louisiana link
10/8/2021 12:46:10 pm

Very much appreciated. Thank you for this excellent article. Keep posting!

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galuapluservices-2 link
22/11/2021 09:01:45 pm

Excellent article! Your post is essential today

Reply
Rockford Electricians link
17/7/2022 03:35:00 am

Nice post thhanks for sharing

Reply



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    Musings on architecture & sustainable urban design in the Coffs Harbour region by local architect Andrew Ferguson.

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ANDREW FERGUSON ARCHITECT
9 Links Avenue, Korora NSW 2450
PO Box 4193, Coffs Harbour Jetty NSW
2450
Andrew Ferguson Coffs Harbour Architectural Practice