Winter Microclimates

Baby Its Cold Outside

Winter Solstice is a terrific time to assess your dream properties microclimate. Even if you are too busy to buy immediately, now is the time to take a look at your favorite areas and see how much sun they are getting.

Winter Solstice

Some properties at low elevations or on northern slopes get very little sun in the winter, which means you'll be heating them more than properties oriented to take advantage of passive solar heat. Recently frost warnings were issued here in the Bay Area, for interior valleys and low lying areas. Interior valleys are far from the moderating effects of the ocean and bay, so temperatures swing higher and lower than coastal areas. Valleys are also blocked from the sun (which is lower in the sky in winter) by surrounding hills, and cold air, being heavier than warm air, sinks. So valleys are typically colder and more prone to frost than hills and coastal areas.

Peonies

Of course if you want to grow peonies or other plants adapted to a little frost, (not to mention take advantage of fertile floodplain soil) you may want to live in a valley, but do consider how your site is oriented. The difference in heating bills between houses on south or north sides of the San Geronimo Valley for example, is quite significant.

Winter Frost

Even on a mesa near the coast, a home can feel perma-cold if it is not oriented well. I just visited a dear friend who lives in a duplex in Capitola, which is blocked on the east by a eucalyptus grove, and on the south and west by the other unit. Her driveway is lovely and warm, but she has to use the furnace to be warm in the house even when it is 60 degrees out. It really will save you lots of money and heartache to pay close attention to orientation before you purchase your home.

If you've already purchased your home, even if sited well, there are things you can do to improve its energy efficiency.  The city of San Francisco's SF Home Improvement & Performance program is offering terrific incentives to make your home "more comfortable, healthy and energy efficient".   The SFHip program is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and funds are available until June 2012, or when they run out, whichever comes first.  The Dept. of Environment is partnering with Realtors to get the word out, so contact me for a coupon to save an additional $500.  Happy Solstice!