Home Orientation Tips (Pt. 2)
Home orientation can have such an astounding effect on your heating and cooling bills, especially here in Central Texas where the summers get so blisteringly hot! Some natural assistance in cutting those costs is always helpful, and leaves more room in the budget for the fun stuff. Let’s jump back into some of the ways nature can help you out!
Take Cover!
Tree cover, that is! There are a number of ways that strategically placed trees can benefit your bottom line. Last month we talked about the sun’s differing summer and winter paths. To recap:
- Summer Sun: rises north of true east, travels high in the sky, sets north of true west
- Winter Sun: rises south of true east, travels nearer to the horizon, sets south of true west
So, where do the trees factor in?
Imagine planting a row of deciduous trees (birch, crape myrtle, mesquite, oak, etc.) in your south-facing yard. In the summer, the canopy is full, and you have plenty of shade for playtime and yard work. In winter, the leaves have fallen, and that low-lying southerly sun can shine right through your windows!
This helps provide some extra warmth to your living areas (see previous blog post for floor plan tips), and takes some strain off of your heating system.
More Home Orientation Tips
That’s not all though!
Concrete, asphalt, and gravel driveways hold an immense amount of heat in the summers, and can easily overheat a house in these Central Texas summers. While this outdoor radiator effect can be reduced by laying the driveway east of your house where it will only be exposed to the gentler morning sun. Before cooling in the afternoon shade, you can once again employ some native foliage to mitigate your climate system use. A nicely shaded, east-laying driveway will save you some summer money, andkeeps a comfortable space for vehicles and chalk art!
There is a never-ending list of benefits to considering the orientation of your home! These principles make a great start, and hopefully serve as inspiration for how to get the most out of YOUR home.
Contact the Anderson Construction Group, Inc. today to get started building your very own Custom Luxury Home with efficiency in mind!
We have more tips to share so check back next month!