South-facing windows receive the most light and are the hottest. North-facing windows receive the least light and are the weakest and coolest. East-facing windows receive light in the morning and are weak and cool. West-facing windows receive light in the afternoon and are strong and hot.
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. For most homes in the United States, that means South-facing homes receive the most light throughout the day through their front windows. “In general, the South side of a home will receive the greatest direct sunlight and for the longest time each day,” Kenin says.
South-facing rooms are the brightest in the house and offer consistent natural light all day. South-facing rooms boost your Light Index during the winter when there is less sunlight and gives you even more access to sunlight during the summer months.
A south-facing home receives maximum sunlight during the day, making it ideal for colder climates where heating is necessary. It can also provide plenty of natural light and warmth during the winter.
Sleeping rooms or breakfast nooks on the East to catch the morning sun, kitchen, family room; garden on the South, Porch and Family room on the west for the evening sun. Use north light for studios or art rooms, maybe with a skylight on a house built with the north side into a hill or berm.
Positioning Your Home
That means that whichever wall is facing south will receive the most sunlight. To maximize the sun use, place the longest side of your house facing south. Design this south facing wall with little to no jogs and offsets, which would increase shade on the south side and thus reduce light.
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. “Southern exposure typically provides the brightest, all-day, natural light compared to a softer, more indirect (and often darker) north-facing light,” she explains.
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.
An estimated 25% of all heat loss occurs through the attic or roof of a home. Cracks or holes in an attic, along with improperly placed vents, allow for significant amounts of heat loss through the attic space. In addition, improper ventilation in attics leads to even more heat escaping.
The kitchen is another room where natural light is essential. Your kitchen is a space for living and entertaining, and creating an environment marked by daylight is an important ingredient in any welcoming atmosphere. A bright, well-lit kitchen not only feels more spacious but also improves functionality.
Ideally, the main entrance should be facing east or north, as these directions are associated with positive energy. South and west-facing entrances are considered inauspicious. The living room should be located in the northwest direction, as this is considered the zone of wealth and prosperity.
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.
South-facing windows provide the most light: direct sunlight within 2 to 3 feet of the window; bright, indirect sunlight up to 5 feet from the window; and semi-shade up to 8 feet away from the window. East and west-facing windows provide some direct light up to 3 feet and indirect light up to 5 feet away.
The direction your garden faces helps you determine when it's exposed to the sun, and how bright that sunlight is. South-facing gardens get the most sun exposure.
You'll receive more sunshine with a south-facing garden
As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the south side of any house will see the most hours of sunlight during the day.
The best way to see where heat is escaping from a building, through the building fabric and by draughts is to use a thermal imaging camera at ground level. Thermal images taken from both the outside and inside of a building will show you where most of your heat is being lost from.
Throughout the universe, it's natural for energy to flow from one place to another. And unless people interfere, thermal energy — or heat — naturally flows in one direction only: from hot toward cold. Heat moves naturally by any of three means. The processes are known as conduction, convection and radiation.
Comfort: Insulating the floor helps to prevent drafts and cold spots in buildings, improving the comfort for the occupants. Moisture control: Insulation helps to prevent moisture from entering your home from the ground, which helps to prevent mold growth and other moisture-related problems.
According to Vastu Shastra, sleeping with the head towards the north and facing south should be avoided. This positioning is associated with Yama, the lord of death, and it invites negative energy in your living space. The negativity could lead to nightmares, disturbed sleep, and health issues.
A southwest house is not the most auspicious direction for the main entrance of a house as the direction of the southwest is associated with the demon of “Nairuthi”, which is known for negative energy.
Ans: Northwest-facing house Vastu is overall good given that you follow the room placement guidelines for the same.
South-facing windows receive the most light and are the hottest. North-facing windows receive the least light and are the weakest and coolest. East-facing windows receive light in the morning and are weak and cool. West-facing windows receive light in the afternoon and are strong and hot.
According to Vastu Shastra, the best direction for a house to face is east, as it brings positive energy and good health. North-facing houses are also good, bringing prosperity and career growth.
The east direction is associated with the element of sun since the sun rises in the east, thus symbolising positivity, light and new beginnings. Constructing a house with an east-facing entrance allows the house to receive as much energy from the sun as possible.