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I wonder how this would work in someplace like Ohio that's hot in the summers but cold in the winters. Would it make the home even colder in the winter? If so,

I wonder how this would work in someplace like Ohio that's hot in the summers but cold in the winters. Would it make the home even colder in the winter? If so, is there some variation that works both ways? I've heard of overhangs that block the sun in the summer when it's more directly overhead, but allow direct sunlight into the home in the winter when it's at more of an angle, so there are certainly some things that can be done.

danans 4y ago
> I've heard of overhangs that block the sun in the summer when it's more directly overhead, but allow direct sunlight into the home in the winter when it's at more of an angle, so there are certainly some things that can be done. This is the best approach to take almost anywhere that experiences hot weather, which is almost anywhere these days. It works like a cowboy hat or an rice field worker's conical hat. In addition to the overhangs, it's wise to minimize windows on the side of the building facing the nearest pole, both to reduce winter heat loss, and minimize summer heat gain. Conversely, the same house should put a reasonable (but not excessive) amount of glazing on the side facing the equator, to maximize winter solar heating. The problem is often that the optimal placement of windows overhangs isn't possible due to existing orientation to the streets or other features.
- PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
  > it's wise to minimize windows on the side of the building facing the poles, both to reduce winter heat loss, and minimize summer heat gain. North-side should always be low-window, but south-side depends on levels of winter insolation. If there's a lot, then south-facing glazing, with a suitable overhang to block summer sun, and a large thermal mass right behind them, is very desirable for winter warming.
  - danans 4y ago
    Updated my comment to clarify that I meant to minimize windows facing the nearest pole. In the southern hemisphere, you would minimize south-facing windows.

danans 4y ago

> I've heard of overhangs that block the sun in the summer when it's more directly overhead, but allow direct sunlight into the home in the winter when it's at more of an angle, so there are certainly some things that can be done. This is the best approach to take almost anywhere that experiences hot weather, which is almost anywhere these days. It works like a cowboy hat or an rice field worker's conical hat. In addition to the overhangs, it's wise to minimize windows on the side of the building facing the nearest pole, both to reduce winter heat loss, and minimize summer heat gain. Conversely, the same house should put a reasonable (but not excessive) amount of glazing on the side facing the equator, to maximize winter solar heating. The problem is often that the optimal placement of windows overhangs isn't possible due to existing orientation to the streets or other features.

PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
> it's wise to minimize windows on the side of the building facing the poles, both to reduce winter heat loss, and minimize summer heat gain. North-side should always be low-window, but south-side depends on levels of winter insolation. If there's a lot, then south-facing glazing, with a suitable overhang to block summer sun, and a large thermal mass right behind them, is very desirable for winter warming.
- danans 4y ago
  Updated my comment to clarify that I meant to minimize windows facing the nearest pole. In the southern hemisphere, you would minimize south-facing windows.