Choosing a section
If you are building your own home, you can make significant gains by choosing a block of land that will allow you to build a north-facing, energy efficient home.
On this page:
Key considerations
Ideally, your block should allow clear access to the north.
The section should not be overshadowed in winter by buildings, large trees, fences or obstructions such as hillsides to the north. (See Fig. 1.)
Get the best access to the sun from:
- a large block so that the home can be positioned to face north
- a rectangular block with long boundaries running north-south, or east-west, especially if the block is less than 500 square metres
- a block that runs north-south that is wider than 13 metres
- a block that runs east-west and is wider than 14 metres (except where a street or parkland is to the north, in which case the block can be narrower and still have good solar access)
- a block that allows your home to be placed 6 metres or more from a single storey obstruction to the north, or 11 metres or more from a double-storey obstruction to the north (See Fig. 2.)
- a block that slopes down to the north (See Fig. 1.)
- a block that runs north-south or east-west and faces onto free open space to the north.
Fig. 1 Distance between homes can be less on north-facing slopes
Fig. 2 Avoid south-facing slopes
Fig. 3 Objects cast shadows 2 to 3 times their height in winter
Take action
Plan before choosing your section
1. Use the list of key considerations (above) when considering where to build and for discussing options with your designer or architect.
2. Refer to Department of Building and Housing’s comprehensive discussion on issues to consider, before buying or building your home: Understanding your property. [Smarter Homes website.]
3. When making a site visit, take a copy of the Consumer Build’s guide, Choosing a section checklist. [Consumer Build website.]
Find out more about how to make the most of the sun’s free energy in Using the sun.