Energy efficient day lighting systems

Daylighting
Day lighting is the practice of placing windows or other openings and reflective surfaces so that during the day natural light provides effective internal lighting. Savings from day lighting can cut lighting energy use by up to 80 percent according to the US

Benefits of daylighting
Health
Can have a significantly positive impact on health Decrease depression Decrease disorientation, hallucinations, loss of memory

Benefits of daylighting
Work environment
Makes workers feel and work better Prevents eye strain Helps people retain what they have learned Helps boosts productivity

Benefits of daylighting
Energy savings
Cut lighting energy use by up to 75% or 80% Save 25 cents per square foot of day lit floor area per year

Energy efficient day lighting

A high degree of control over the visual

environment is required Buildings geometry e.g., when there are heavily obstructed facades or deep rooms Control of thermal loads is required (adjustable solar shading can be an effective strategy in this case).

Efficient daylighting planning

Conceptual design Design phase Final/ construction planning Commissioning and post occupancy

Daylighting design factors

Windows
Place window close to a light colored wall. Slant the sides of window openings so the inner opening is larger than the outer opening. Use a large light colored window sill to project light into the room.

Light reflectors and heliostats

Mirrors which are moved

automatically to reflect sunlight in a constant direction as the sun moves across the sky. A heliostat can be used to shine sunlight directly through a window or skylight, or into any arrangement of optical elements, for example light tubes, that distribute the light

Light shelves
A white or reflective metal light shelf outside the window. Usually the window will be protected from direct summer season sun by a projecting eave. The light shelf projects beyond the shadow created by the eave and reflects sunlight upward to illuminate the ceiling. This reflected light can contain little heat content and the reflective illumination from the ceiling will typically reduce deep shadows, reducing the need for general illumination.

Skylights
Skylight is any horizontal window, Roof lantern or Oculus, placed at the roof of the building.

The

optimal

area of

of the

skylights skylight,

varies but is

according to climate, latitude, and the characteristics

Skylights

During

warm

seasons,

skylights

with

transparent glazing will cause internal heat problems, which is best treated by placing white translucent acrylic over or under the transparent skylight glazing.

Light tubes
Placed into a roof and admits light to a focused area of the interior. They do not allow as much heat transfer as skylights because they have less surface area.

Other means
Clerestory windows Solarium Fiber optic concrete wall Hybrid solar lighting Saw tooth roof

Bilatral lighting: sidelight and roof light

Daylighting techniques

A residence in Maine
Features Skylight dormers Glass blocks set into wood South west exposure

A school in Falmouth
Features
Circular Dome skylight to create a diffused natural light well

Merits
Achieved a 30% energy savings in addition to providing great daylight.