What affects orientation of building?

Orientation of building offers maximum ventilation and natural light, provides comfortable living in house and saves energy bills as well. There are many factors that affect orientation of building. GharExpert has identified some of them which are following.

• Solar radiation and temperature: Intensity of solar radiation depends on the direction of sunrays. The temperature of a living space increases due to sun radiation and affects whole environment of the house. Solar radiation acts in two ways i.e. one is when sunrays directly come to the house through openings and the other is when radiation comes indirectly through walls and roof of building by absorbing heat.
• Prevailing winds: winds help create natural ventilation in a building and offer more comfort during high humidity. During orientation of a building and designing doors and windows openings, the direction of wind flow should be considered. Fix windows and ventilators at proper location in building to provide maximum air and light. Maximum air and ventilation can be obtained if the level of opening is at the level of occupancy.

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Making a green house

You can make your house energy efficient and environment friendly by using natural light, growing environment friendly plants, applying thermal insulation techniques and using low VOC products. Here are a few ways to make your home energy saving and environment friendly.

• Grow environment friendly plants: Grow such plants which are good for your environment and animals. You can go for perennial plants that live for more than a year and reduce the cost of plantation frequently.

• Apply thermal insulation technique on walls and roof: Thermal insulation on all outer walls of the house minimizes weather effects and saves energy during summer and winter season. Insulate roof of the house to save energy since it receives solar radiation throughout the day.

• Use low volatile organic compounds (VOC): Make use of low V.O.C. products to maintain healthy indoor air for good health. Low VOC paint for walls and cleaning products are useful. Do not use particle boards or medium density board for articles of furniture as they have adhesives releasing urea formaldehyde which is harmful to health.

• Utilize natural light and CFL:Use sunlight from doors, windows, ventilators and openings and enjoy the benefits of natural light. You should opt for energy saving compact florescent light, CFL bulb/ tubes. These bulbs/tubes produce less heat and save energy required for thermal comfort
  

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Benefits of Thermal Insulation

Thermal insulation reduces the transfer heat/cold from outer atmosphere to indoor atmosphere. The insulation protects us from scorching heat/cold which has adverse effect on our health. Many insulating materials such as gypsum board, asbestos cement board, clip board, chip board, foam glasses etc. are useful in reduction of thermal effects. The surface temperature of flat roof may be reduced by sprinkling water on roof at regular intervals during hot hours. The orientation of building has important role in reduction of thermal resistance. The building should be designed in such a way that the entry of solar energy is minimum in summer whereas it is maximum in winter.

Benefits of thermal insulation

• Comfort: It provides comfort because the temperature of room remains cool in summer and warm in winter.
• Fuel saving: It saves fuel required to maintain desired temperature of the room.
• Condensation Resistant: Insulating materials fixed on inner surface of walls stops condensation, the deposition of moisture on interior walls and ceiling.

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