Luckenbach

Why would I want to turn my house around?

It was built in the 60’s (I guess), and the orientation would have been chosen to take best advantage of the views. The longest axis of the house (which is roughly 6m x 18m) runs north-south.

Basic solar energy requirements are that, at my location, a house length is 2-3 times its width, and that the longest axis run east-west. This is so that the winter sun can reach deep into the house through the north windows - all day. In summer the higher sun can be blocked from the interior by the eaves. This cannot happen when a house is lined up north-south.

In addition, there are currently no sunward roof faces. So there is no place to put solar PV panels, or solar hot-water panels. It is an energy inefficient house.