How might knowledge of the direction of the prevailing wind at a given location be used in the design of an energy efficient home, and how can you determine the prevailing wind direction from landscape and ground features?

Question

What will be the ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER: The prevailing wind can be a significant factor in building an individual home. In the northeastern half of the United States, the prevailing wind in winter is northwest and in summer it is southwest. Thus, to maximize comfort and energy efficiency, houses built in the northeastern United States should have windows facing southwest to provide summertime ventilation and few, if any, windows facing the cold winter winds from the northwest. The northwest side of the house should be thoroughly insulated and even protected by a windbreak.
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Many local ground and landscape features show the effect of a prevailing wind. For example, smoke particles from an industrial stack settle to the ground on its downwind side. From the air, the prevailing wind direction can be seen as a discolored landscape on the downwind side of the stack. Wind blowing over surfaces of snow and sand produces ripples with a more gentle slope facing into the wind. Sand dunes have similar shapes and, thus, show the prevailing wind direction.