Energy Savings “The sun naturally warms East- and West-facing homes, making them energy-efficient by reducing the need for heating in cooler months,” Malhotra adds. “But in summer, the extra heat means we use more AC, leading to higher utility bills.”
Benefits of a west-facing garden
Your house will stay lighter for longer, allowing you to enjoy natural light and potentially save on energy bills. Ideal for those who like to sleep in. If your bedroom faces the garden, the sunlight will reach your room later, allowing you to enjoy those extra hours of sleep.
On average, a west-facing garden in a temperate climate can receive between 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day during the summer, and around 2-3 hours per day during the winter. However, this can vary based on the specific location and other environmental factors.
According to Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian architectural science, the ideal direction for a house to face is the east or north. This is believed to bring positive energy, enhance well-being, and ensure prosperity for the inhabitants.
In other cultures, there are many benefits to west-facing houses. There is a traditional home design philosophy in Japan that says west-facing homes exude a sense of youth and cheerfulness. In China, the famous Feng Shui states that you should associate yourself with the metal elements if you have a west-facing house.
South and west-facing houses are generally considered less favorable due to beliefs that they might bring challenges or negative energy. However, with proper architectural design and adherence to specific guidelines, these orientations can be made auspicious, ensuring a balanced and positive living environment.
To avoid the harsh sun while bringing in enough sunlight, it is best to have windows in the north, east, or north-east directions with maximum windows in the east side. Additionally, if there is an open well in the east or south-east directions, you are recommended to cover it.
West-facing rooms
can overheat in the late afternoon for much of the year. may require vertical shading to prevent excessive overheating and glare in the afternoon. provide good direct solar gain for thermal mass heating of living spaces in the evening.
“In general, the South side of a home will receive the greatest direct sunlight and for the longest time each day,” Kenin says. Homes that face in the opposite direction, North, tend to get a softer overall light throughout the day.
Plant Trees on the Front Side of the House
Integrating greenery on the front side (except near the main gate) serves two purposes for west-facing properties. Firstly, it combats the intensified heat from harsh sun rays, ensuring a cooling effect.
More often than not, homeowners are looking for spaces with lots of natural light, says Trapasso, which is what makes South-facing homes so desirable.
Abundant Natural Light: West-facing homes tend to enjoy an abundance of natural light, especially during the latter part of the day. This not only creates a warm and inviting ambiance but also reduces the need for artificial lighting, potentially saving on energy costs.
According to Vastu Shastra, a west-facing(puspdant and varun pada) house is generally considered auspicious. A west-facing house is believed to bring prosperity, wealth, and success.
Keep your blinds closed, especially on north and west-facing windows, to significantly cool your home. Better yet, invest in some block-out curtains to shield your home from that harsh summer sun.
West-facing rooms may cost more to heat in the colder months. The rooms at the front of your home—namely the bedrooms, living room, and bathroom in the Vastu tradition—will be deprived of natural light in the morning and part of the afternoon.
Large west, east and north-facing windows should be shaded for increased energy efficiency. External shading is much more effective at keeping your home cool than internal blinds or curtains, as it stops the heat reaching the glass, but using both external and internal window coverings will provide maximum protection.
West-facing gardens take the second place prize for the most amount of sun. The soft morning light is usually blocked, but the sun in the afternoon shines down brightly. A mix of full sun and partial sun perennials, annuals, and veggie plants will do just fine in a spot like this.
North-facing walls and windows receive more solar radiation in winter than in summer because the sun is lower in the sky. East- and west-facing walls and windows receive more sun in summer in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky.
Avoid the southwest direction of the house
According to Vastu Shastra, the southwest direction is not the ideal direction for your house. It is believed to cause financial losses, health issues, instability, and relationship conflicts. Obstructions in the south-west may lead to financial problems and delays in success.
The South direction is linked to Lord Yama, the deity representing death in Hindu mythology. This association has resulted in an unfortunate belief that south-facing houses invite negative energy, a concept that often makes people cautious.
Conventional wisdom decrees that a South-facing home brings nothing but bad luck to its residents. The root of this belief comes from mythology—Lord Yama, the God of Death emerges from the dakshin or Southern realm of the world.