Certified Energy Auditor Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The optimal street orientation for heating, cooling, and lighting is East-West. This alignment maximizes sunlight exposure throughout the day. In locations in the Northern Hemisphere, buildings oriented East-West benefit from morning sunlight in the east and afternoon sunlight in the west. This can significantly enhance natural light penetration during the day, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and thus lowering energy consumption.

Moreover, during the summer months, a building with an East-West orientation can help minimize heat gain, as the direct sun is lower in the sky during the day and can be managed with proper shading techniques, such as awnings or overhangs, while still allowing for passive solar heating during the winter months when the sun is higher in the sky. This positioning is particularly advantageous for optimizing energy efficiency, as it balances sunlight access against potential overheating, thereby creating a more comfortable indoor environment.