Should Your House Face North, South, East, or West? Know the Pros and Cons Before You Buy

Considerations for your new home’s orientation may include energy efficiency, climate, and feng shui.

Which direction is best for your house to face?  The answer could depend on many things: the view, climate, and for some, feng shui is important.  For example, according to feng shui principles “the best directions for the front door to face are east and south,” notes an article at millionacres.com.  “East because of the sunrise and south to get the best feel for nature.”

Further, homes located at the end of dead end roads are undesirable as they “accumulate dead air.” Houses situated among tall buildings aren’t good either because “the property is suppressed by blocked energy,” all disadvantages to those concerned about feng shui philosophies.

Think about these pros and cons concerning your home’s orientation before you buy or build, as noted by an Architect Two Cents blog post.  Note these circumstances hold true for those in the northern hemisphere:

·        North facing homes will help keep houses in hot or arid regions cool.  Some advantages may be lower electric bills and a driveway that doesn’t capture as much heat.  Those residing in cold climates will find a north-facing home is not as helpful since natural lighting will be less at the front of the home and higher energy bills may result, although “more south-facing windows can offset this drawback.”

·        Homes facing south will have the opposite pros and cons of those facing north—south facing homes may be preferable for those in cold areas as they are good at absorbing solar heat, the driveway doesn’t need as much shoveling, and rooms located the front of the home will get a boost from a greater amount of sunlight.  Disadvantages, then, for south-facing homes include “sun bites during the summer.”  Note that homes facing southeast and southwest will “suffer almost as much.”

·        East facing houses are a boon for morning people as the sun enters their home in the early morning.  Cons include less energy efficiency than homes facing north or south, a sunny glare for those who are not morning people, and a “hot front yard” during late morning hours.

·        Houses facing west will benefit those who like to watch the sun set from the front yard, and those who prefer the front of their home to remain dark in the morning hours.  Residents will find natural light in their homes will be optimal in the later part of the day.

How can you decide which direction is best for you?

You can avoid disappointment about the orientation of your new home when you house-hunt at a good time of day.  Visiting between the hours of 2-3 PM or 10-11 AM “lets you observe the worst conditions in action,” the article notes. 

Make sure you know which direction is north when you arrive and decide if the “important rooms are in the optimal locations.”  Bedrooms and living rooms should “occupy the ideal positions in the house.”

And don’t forget to check out the yard—make sure the sun shines and sets where and when you want it to.

Ultimately, the best-facing direction for your home is a personal choice.  Understand what is most important to you when you determine which direction you’d like to go--and don’t forget the views!

Post authored by Lora Bray.

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