East and west windows are bombarded with solar heat from the low angle sun as it rises and sets. Houses with good solar orientation also cut cooling costs by reducing wall and window area facing the blistering low angle sun. In addition to limiting west-facing window area, you can choose window features that reduce heat gain without reducing visibility or light transmission. Visible light transmission should be no lower than 50 or 60 percent. Saving energy is only one of the benefits.
People are simply more comfortable in a solar home that is full of natural daylight and open spaces.
Many builders and buyers believe solar site design to be an attractive option because it saves energy and increases the appeal of a home. Solar-oriented homes are in tune with the interest of many buyers. The Iris Catalog offers these books on solar heating . However, both of these barriers are easily overcome. Orientation is a matter of planning.