Weather in L.A. for Green Living

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States and spans nearly 500 square miles. When including the land commonly referred to as part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, the square mileage jumps to extraordinary scale. Given the variations in landscape in southern California from mountains to beachfront property, there can be a significant difference in weather from one region of L.A. to another. It is important to consider the elements when moving to southern California and to look for a house that complements the conditions. Beachfront properties, for instance, should differ architecturally from properties in the hills due to the excess of wind and dampness in the air.

The abundance of sunshine in southern California can make living on the beach or in the hills extremely energy-efficient. Many of the new home designs are focused on conserving energy throughout the house and using the environment to a home’s advantage. The location of real estate in Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz promote big windows and open floor plans to keep air circulating effectively. One trait shared by both beach and mountain properties is the implementation of large windows. When opened, windows allow for the cool breezes of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica mountains to move through interior space. During the cooler months, those same windows allow an abundance of sunshine to penetrate the home’s interior, warming spaces to a comfortable level. Using the home’s design in a positive function can cut energy costs significantly.