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.
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.
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