Choosing the right block orientation is the first step to building an energy-efficient home that is comfortable throughout the seasons and low on energy consumption. Good house orientation works on a principle of making the most of the sunlight to naturally warm a house, or using shade and cooling breezes to cool it down. This lessens the need to use heating and cooling systems, which can significantly lower monthly utility bills and reduce a household’s impact on the environment.
Considering the benefits, buying a block with good orientation makes good sense. But which direction is best? While many believe that a north-facing block is ideal as it makes the most of the winter sun, the climate in Western Australia is warm with mild winters and our homes generally require minimal heating during the winter, but can become very hot in the summer. Therefore, the optimal block orientation for this climate will ideally prioritise cooling, rather than heating. This can be achieved by building a home that allows cool breezes to flow through it and increasing the shade that falls on the house. To achieve this, a south –facing block is ideal, as it provides more shade and with the right house design can make the most of the region’s cooling south-westerly wind.
While block orientation is an important aspect to consider, don’t be discouraged if the block you love and can afford doesn’t face the ideal direction. Experienced builders will be able to suggest various home designs and layouts that can play to any block orientation’s strengths. In fact, it is the placement of the different rooms in a home that will determine whether your new home is going to be comfortable or not. For example, in south-facing homes the rooms at the front of the house are usually cooler, while the north-facing rooms at the back are mostly warm, especially in the winter. If you prefer cool bedrooms, but warmer living areas, it is ideal to choose a home design with the bedrooms at the front, and the living room or the kitchen, at the back of a south-facing home.
Even if your block and home doesn’t face the most favourable orientation, there are other strategies that can be implemented to keep your new home comfortable. Open plan and elongated home designs encourage cooling and ventilation, and smart positioning of eaves, trees and shrubs can cast a cooling shade in areas that are exposed to a lot of sun during the day. Windows and large doors can also be strategically placed to allow cooling breezes to flow through the home.
If finding the right block and choosing a home design to complement it seem near impossible, then speak to one of the Ross North Homes team members for expert advice. We are home builders in Perth, and with over 40 years of experience we know exactly what it takes to build quality homes that suit our clients’ preferences, requirements and budgets precisely. No matter the size, shape or orientation of your block, our designers and tradesmen can build a superb home to match it. For more information on our home designs and services, call 08 9431 8150 today.
