The Effects of Orientation and Regional Climatic Variations on the Thermal Performance of a House

Abstract

Building orientations in a hot-arid climate were studied using Calpas3. The results are analyzed in terms of annual energy consumption. An existing residence and several variations were simulated using weather files for both Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. The selected variations comprise a representative sample which demonstrates that orientation may not be as significant a factor in a building's thermal performance as the literature suggests. There is a general range between 25-35° of either side of due south in which the thermal performance of a building is satisfactory; however, the effect of orientation is related to all of the building's characteristics. Of these characteristics, glazing area and location play the greatest role when analyzed by a simulation program which measures heat gain and loss across the building envelope. Variations in local climatic conditions can also have a significant effect on the thermal performance of a building.