All Guides

Sunlight guides

Everything we know about natural light in homes—orientation, seasonal patterns, room placement, and when to trust (or question) a listing. Twenty guides, no fluff.

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Getting started

New to thinking about sunlight? Start here.

Which Way Does My House Face? 4 methods to find your home's compass orientation—phone, maps, sun, or the tool. Best Direction for Natural Light All 8 compass directions ranked. Decision matrix for different priorities and climates. How the Sunlight Score Works The math behind the tool—orientation detection, sun position, and confidence scoring.

By direction

Deep dives on what each compass direction actually means for your rooms.

South-Facing House Sunlight Seasonal patterns, room-by-room impact, energy savings, and when south isn't best. North-Facing Apartment Sunlight Why north gets unfairly dismissed. Floor level, window size, and how to maximize light. East vs West Sunlight Morning person or night owl? Hour-by-hour comparison and energy cost differences.

Buying & renting

Practical tools for evaluating natural light before you commit.

Home Tour Sunlight Checklist 12 things to check for natural light at every showing. Print it, bring it, use it. Apartment Sunlight Guide Complete guide for renters—floor, unit position, direction, and dark apartment fixes. Natural Light & Home Value Does natural light increase home value? The data on premiums and buyer preferences. Zillow Sunlight Checker Check natural light from any Zillow listing URL. Redfin Sunlight Checker Check natural light from any Redfin listing URL.

Data & science

Numbers, tables, and research you can actually use.

Sunlight Hours by City 30 US cities compared—annual sunshine hours, best orientation, and regional advice. Sunlight by Season How the same home changes from winter to summer. Sun angles, light hours, and tables. Sunlight & Energy Efficiency How orientation saves 10-20% on heating. Passive solar, window ratios, and DOE data. Too Much Sunlight UV damage, fading, heat management—protecting your home from excess exposure.

Lifestyle

How sunlight shapes daily life—work, plants, mood, and creative projects.

Natural Light Home Office Best window direction for WFH. Productivity data, desk placement, and video call lighting. Sunlight for Indoor Plants Does your home get enough light? Window direction guide with lux ranges and species picks. Sunlight & Mental Health SAD, circadian rhythm, and morning light. How your home's light affects your mood. Natural Light Photography Best window direction for home studios. Portraits, product shots, and golden hour indoors. Feng Shui & Vastu Where ancient traditions and sunlight science agree on home orientation.