Deciding what to buy
Orientation, light and comfort
Why which way a home faces affects your comfort and energy bills for as long as you own it — and how to verify it yourself rather than trust the listing.
- Orientations up to 15° west and 25° east of true north still allow good passive solar access.
- North-south blocks generally make good solar access easier to achieve than narrow, overshadowed blocks.
- For apartments, check the specific unit's aspect — a building's overall orientation doesn't guarantee every unit within it benefits.
- Verify orientation yourself at inspection rather than relying solely on the listing.
Why orientation matters for as long as you own the home
The best orientation for living areas is solar north, but orientations up to 15 degrees west of north and 25 degrees east of north still allow good passive sun access (Australian Government (Your Home), verified 29 Jul 2026) — orientation doesn't need to be precise for a home to benefit. Good orientation affects winter warmth, summer overheating, and ultimately your heating and cooling costs every year you live there.
Blocks, apartments and overshadowing
Good solar access is generally easier to achieve on north-south oriented blocks, since they receive good access to northern sun with minimum potential for overshadowing by neighbours; narrow blocks with tall neighbouring buildings can limit solar access and need careful design for adequate north-facing glass (Australian Government (Your Home), verified 29 Jul 2026). For an apartment, check the unit's specific aspect and position within the building — a "north-facing" listing can still be overshadowed by an adjacent tower.
Climate changes what "good" orientation means
The solar-north guidance above reflects passive heating priorities in Victoria's temperate climate — capturing winter sun while managing summer heat. In warmer, more humid parts of Australia, the priority can shift toward shade, cross-ventilation and cooling breezes rather than maximising northern sun exposure, since passive design always responds to the local climate, prevailing winds and site conditions rather than one universal rule. If you're assessing a property outside a temperate climate zone, weigh cooling and ventilation at least as heavily as northern solar access.
Practical checklist
Checking orientation and comfort
- Check the property's actual orientation with a compass app at inspection
- Note whether neighbouring buildings overshadow living areas or private open space
- For apartments, confirm the specific unit's aspect, not just the building's
- Visit at different times of day if possible to observe light and shading
Questions for a professional
Official resources
Sources and methodology
- Orientation — Australian Government (Your Home) (retrieved 29 Jul 2026)
Figures on this page are drawn from Delora's local knowledge graph, refreshed from these primary sources and checked for changes on a regular schedule. If a figure here looks out of date, the official source above is always the authority — please let us know.