Window Placement & Orientation

The placement of windows in a house, particularily with respect to the sun's rotation, is a significant consideration for the energy-conscious homeowner. In fact, windows are the only part of the building shell that can both limit and enhance the flow of heat through the walls. When properly constructed, sized, and oriented, the solar heat that a window provides to a home during the winter can actually exceed the overall energy loss.

To insure that a home's energy expenditure is kept streamlined, the majority of windows in a house should be located in outer walls that face within 30 degrees east or west of due south, and north-facing windows should be kept to a minimum. By avoiding the placement of large, unshaded windows in a direct west or south exposure, solar transmission can be deflected to a large degree during the heat of the summer.