Western Exposure in Winter
 

I hear many people say they do not want a western lanai exposure due to the intense sun in the summer. We have not found that to be a major problem. In fact some nights it is actually nice on cool summer nights. What we have also noticed are the beautiful sunsets and colorful skies most nights sitting out on the lanai.
An added plus is the furnace has NOT ran yet this winter! Now I know these homes are horribly insulated. I have an infrared temperature system and the heat loss around windows, and outside walls are deplorable. Nothing around windows, and at block + R2 for a total of maybe R9, one can't expect much. BUT...Do to the sun in the winter lower the house heats up to over 72+ degrees during the day most times. We shut the blinds now at night, and the thermostat has got down to 67 as the low so far. So utility bills stay below $100 per month in the winter! I LIKE that :coolsmiley:
Anyone else notice the same findings and pleasures with a western exposure? In fact, we are looking at new homes again and one feature is open back with a western exposure!

We had one home with western exposure and I knew quickly that I'd never have another like that and that was in New York. The patio and deck got so hot in the summer you couldn't stand to be out there. One of our top priorities when looking for a lot in TV was an eastern lanai exposure. If the sales rep tried to show us something else I stayed in the car and told him to keep driving.

We love our western exposure - those sunsets are stupendous. And we are not bothered by the sun at all. Bring it on, it's why we live here.

DITTO. We specifically only looked at lots with western exposure when we built and we lived in Orlando for 8 years prior where we built with a western exposure too.

Have U checked with compass to see how west U really R?

you all must be "snowbirds"......for it gets "Hot" here in the summer.

I am a year round resident and LOVE the western exposures. The sunsets are breathtaking......We have air conditioning!!

Yes I came from the north. It actually gets as hot there often as here with high humidities too. In fact this past year it was much hotter north than down here. I had a south west exposure on the lake and the decks floors got hot but otherwise not unbearable. Sunsets were nice there too. People with lanais here are spoiled. Enclosed with a black screen so the floor doesn't get THAT hot.
Btw, with an eastern exposure, who needs the sun so bright and hot in the bedroom in the am. Even a glaring hot sun in the morning for coffee vs. a cool morning. Yes one can get room darkening blinds, but one can get shades too for the west espouses if that was an issue. But to miss those sunsets... Comes down to a matter of preference. Mine is west. JMHO :)

Glad to hear some appreciate Western exposure, I will jot it down in my notes for not to far future reference.
Thank you.

Tadpole in Training

Well what ever exposure it is its got to be better than the 15inches of snow I am about to dig out of.

I have a Western exposure and love it. It helps heat the pool, have a sunsetter awning for the summer and great sunsets every night. For us there are many more positives then negatives. Even in the hottest summer evenings, using the awning there only about 20 minutes that is even a minor problem.

Ditto - Live here year round and love our western exposure. Warms the living area in the winter. We eat out on the lanai almost every meal in the summer. Always cool after the sun goes down. Pool is warm in the afternoon and there is sun when we get out. The sunsets are phenomenal.

If you want your heart to sing, sit on JoJo's lanai and watch the sun set, over water, and water birds and the palms across the water in silouette. OH MY.

We have a western exposure and for about an hour every summer evening the lanai is very uncomfortable and then when the direct sun leaves and the fans are on and with a sweat beaded glass of something cold and nice company....yes indeedy, lovin' it.

AND I think the new homes are better insulated because we rarely run heat and there is only ONE window in the house that you can feel cold around the sill, which reminds me that certainly something can be done. It isn't the glass.

So, if I were to build again I would choose west.

I like the sunsets and the artist who paints them.

It's a good thing some people prefer east and others west or all the homes would be facing the same direction. Our different likes and dislikes are what make the world go round and aren't we lucky we live where you can do what you like!?!

Here 2 1/2 years with our Western exposure and love the sunsets. It does keep house warmer in the winter. We did add some blinds to the sides of the under room portion because the sun during setting will hit anyone sitting in that direction right in the eyes. So far it's worked great. Had Eastern exposure in Ark and heated up in mornings and you couldn't stand to sit out there because it was so bright.