Where should you position the windows when building a house?

Question

should it be facing the sunrise and sunset? or away from it?

what's the proper way of positioning the windows so the heat will not demand so much power from the air conditioner/heater?

Answer 1

Place it above the ground, not below.

Answer 2

Since the sun is at it highest point between 10AM and 2PM, you would want to position your windows to the north for more sun in the winter and less sun in the summer.

At least if you live in the US.

Answer 3

Place yer winders on a south facing exposed wall, it is most practical in the Northern hemisphere (and north facing in the southern hemisphere) .  This will help a great deal.

Answer 4

South facing windows will provide the most solar gain. If one lives in the desert, south facing windows will cause the AC unit to run more. If the climate is cold, south-facing is good, and, living at 7000 ft in Flagstaff, AZ, I have noticed that west-facing windows seem to provide more heat than east-facing ones do. This may be due to the relative temperatures outside, and in the afternoon, it seems warmer.

Another thought, windows are, generally, poorly insulated. Not just the window itself, but the seal around it may also be poor. Given this, less windows where solar gain is negligible is not advised.

To get the most out of the windows when you want it, plant deciduous trees in front of the southern windows to block most of the summer sun, and let most of the winter sun in. Another good option is to build a roof overhang that blocks the high summer sun and allows the lower winter sun in. (see source)

If you really can't chose, decide upon whether you are more likely to watch the sunrise (early bird) or the sunset. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

you'll want windows all around, to let light in.

my suggestion would be to build the roof with a large overhang, so that in the summer, when the sun is high in the sky, the windows are shaded, but in the winter, when the sun is lower, the sun shines in more.

in addition, paint your house, and roof if possible, white, to reflect heat, and stay cooler.  not only will it help, but since the material doesn't get as hot, it doesn't deteriorate as fast, and your siding will last longer.

Answer 6

It depends on where you live and the ultimate goal of your passive solar design. Are you trying to keep the house light, warm, or cool.  The links below should give you some ideas.  There's also several books available at Amazon for sure and probably Borders.