Use the sun for light and warmth

The sun will provide welcome warmth when it's cold.
Plan room layouts to take advantage of the sun. Rooms that will be used primarily in the afternoon will benefit from west-facing windows when it's cold. For rooms that get a lot of use in the morning, east-facing windows will be more helpful. Sunlight not only warms spaces but also reduces the need for electric lights. In summer, however, west-facing windows can lead to higher air conditioning costs. Shades and roof overhangs can help.

Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia

Sun: Passive Heating and Daylight

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