Analysis of daylighting control systems in 20 office and public spaces in Minnesota and Wisconsin shows that while the automatic daylight harvesting schemes are helping to reduce lighting energy in the buildings, most are not achieving optimal performance, according to a new study by the Energy Center of Wisconsin (ECW).
According to ECW, the median daylighting control system studied was saving 23% of lighting energy, including impacts on heating and cooling. This translated to 915 kWh saved for every kW of lighting controlled. But the average effectiveness (the energy saved versus energy saved with ideal control) of the controls was only 51%. This meant that almost half of the potential savings from these controls was not captured due to imperfect controls operation. Even worse, four of the 20 spaces studied had zero savings.
The low level of effectiveness, says ECW, is evidence of a lack of controls execution. The findings show that successful implementation of automatic daylighting control requires a significant commissioning effort to reach full energy-savings potential.
Read the full daylighting commissioning report from the Energy Center of Wisconsin.
As part of the report, ECW developed a tip sheet on commissioning and calibration and function testing of lighting controls. Recommendations include assigning a single person of the construction team to be responsible for verifying completion of all steps in the daylighting commissioning process, and proper training of the building owner/operator on the controls equipment and systems. Download the tip sheet (PDF)
(http://www.ecw.org/project.php?workid=1&resultid=494)
Related Stories
Architects | Jan 27, 2017
The Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship and Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, honored with the 2017 Collaborative Achievement Award
Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA and the Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship receive the 2017 Collaborative Acievement Award.
Architects | Jan 26, 2017
Alan Greenberger, FAIA, honored with the 2017 AIA Thomas Jefferson Award
The award honors significant contributions to public architecture.
Architects | Jan 24, 2017
Politicians use architectural renderings in bid to sell Chicago’s Thompson Center
The renderings are meant to show the potential of the site located in the heart of the Chicago Loop.
Architects | Jan 23, 2017
Why corporate branded environments matter
A branded environment has the potential to create a long-lasting impression for your intended audiences.
Architects | Jan 19, 2017
Harley Ellis Devereaux merges with Deems Lewis McKinley
The combination is expected to bolster HED’s presence in northern California and the K-12 sector.
Architects | Jan 13, 2017
Best in Architecture: 23 projects win AIA 2017 Institute Honor Awards
The Shigeru Ban-designed Aspen Art Museum and the General Motors Design Auditorium by SmithGroupJJR are among the architecture, interior architecture, and urban design projects to win.
Designers | Jan 13, 2017
The mind’s eye: Five thoughts on cognitive neuroscience and designing spaces
Measuring how the human mind responds to buildings could improve design.
Building Materials | Jan 9, 2017
Architects and researchers are developing new techniques for building in space
As setting foot on Mars becomes a more realistic goal, the search for how to best develop Architecture for the Red Planet is heating up.
Architects | Jan 5, 2017
U.S. architects can now earn licenses to practice Down Under
NCARB finalizes reciprocal agreement with Australia and New Zealand.
Architects | Jan 4, 2017
The making of visible experts: A path for seller-doers in the AEC industry
Exceptional seller-doers have the ability to ask the right questions, and more importantly, listen.
