Sun Exposure on back patio (Phoenix: homes, refrigerator, install)

[slice235]

Looking at 2 different building lots in a retirement community. One lot has the back patio facing almost due north and the other lot the patio faces due south. Is there any appreciable difference in heat and sun exposure in the late afternoon between these two configurations. I realize this will vary somewhat depending on the month of the year as the sun angle changes.

Thank you in advance

[WilmaWildcat]

In your model, is the back patio off the kitchen; i.e., I personally would not put the kitchen facing south. The kitchen generates heat every day, assuming one cooks in it. Better to have the kitchen as cool as possible, IMO. Nobody wants to cook much in summer in the desert. A hot kitchen can even make your refrigerator run more.

If you're only mulling over the patio, it would depend on when you want to use it. The sun is lower in the south in the winter and though sunshine would feel good when it's cold, it could shine directly into your eyes. I personally would want the patio facing north pretty much any time. You can always install a chiminea or fire pit.

[wit-nit]

We've had several homes with both north and south patio exposures here in the metro area. We find in the hot summer months the sun sets in the NW and makes the patio useless in the late afternoon that faces north. Hot burning sun comes in at that time. Unless you put up some shade barrier you will not be comfortable.
The south exposure would get afternoon shade making the patio more useful during the summer months.
The rest of the year it doesn't matter, north or south facing, either one would be good during those times of cooler weather.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

We've had several homes with both north and south patio exposures here in the metro area. We find in the hot summer months the sun sets in the NW and makes the patio useless in the late afternoon that faces north. Hot burning sun comes in at that time. Unless you put up some shade barrier you will not be comfortable.
The south exposure would get afternoon shade making the patio more useful during the summer months.
The rest of the year it doesn't matter, north or south facing, either one would be good during those times of cooler weather.

Yes!

[nightnurse613]

Hmm. In my part of Phoenix the sun rises in the east and sets in the west (more or less). My south patio gets CONSTANT attention from the sun - my front door entrance (on the north part of the house) is shaded all day?????!!!!!! (Except in the very late afternoon when, as wit-nit points out, it would get some sun if there wasn't a strategically placed tree)

[Hoonose]

Go for the coolest patio/relaxation/recreation area in the afternoon. It is too frikken hot to appreciate anything in the sun in the afternoon.

[hikernut]

The sun actually sets in the northwest during summer. So unless there's something to provide shade, like a tree or another house, most north patios are bathed in sunlight at the end of the day. Then after dark all of those hot surfaces (patio slab, stucco) will radiate heat for a long time. It does make a difference.

[509]

Sunset in Phoenix on June 21st is at an azimuth of 300 degrees. 30 degrees north of due west.

You might want to check the orientation of the two patio's with a compass.

We only winter in Arizona. Our patio faces due east. It is nice having the morning sun and afternoon shade. Plus the winds come out of the west...so it also blocks the wind.