The orientation of a home is one of the criteria that most influences comfort, energy consumption and the value of a property. On the Costa del Sol, with its Mediterranean climate, choosing the right orientation can make the difference between a house that is cool in summer and warm in winter, or quite the opposite.
How do you find out the orientation of a flat?
There are several simple ways to find out the orientation of your home:
- With your phone’s compass: stand facing the main façade. South: 180°, North: 0°/360°, East: 90°, West: 270°.
- With the cadastre: at sedecatastro.gob.es you can see the exact orientation of your plot.
- With Google Maps: open the satellite view and turn on the North indicator.
- By watching the sun: if the sun comes into your living room in the morning, it faces East. If it comes in during the afternoon, West. If it gets sun all day, South.
Which orientation is best for a home in Málaga?
In the Mediterranean climate of Málaga and the Costa del Sol, the ideal orientation is SOUTH, with a slight variation towards the south-east. The reasons: maximum solar gain in winter (natural warmth without heating), control of the summer sun with well-sized overhangs (no overheating), and even daylight throughout the day.
North-facing orientations are the least advisable: little direct sunlight, more damp and higher heating consumption. According to studies by the IDAE, a south-facing home in a Mediterranean climate can save between 15% and 30% on heating.
Orientation and property prices on the Costa del Sol
In the Costa del Sol property market, south or south-south-west-facing homes command a price premium of between 5% and 15% over the same homes facing north. Sea views and a southern orientation are the two factors most valued by international buyers.
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