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Total Light Management for Sustainable Construction
Lighting can be used to manipulate the form and function of a space. It reveals volume, area and scale. It also affects occupants’ comfort and productivity. Because cost is paramount for building owners and tenants, energy efficiency is a must for any lighting strategy.
The key to constructing a high-performance building is the proper integration of energy-efficient systems into the initial design. Although total light management—the practice of maximizing the use of natural light and minimizing the use of electric light—is not new, technology has emerged that gives lighting professionals greater control over indoor environments. More control results in greater energy savings across the board.
How It Works
A successful total light management strategy treats products as a system of components, rather than standalone items, that integrate to provide customers more value.
Total light management integrates façade management and electric light management components into a scalable, adjustable software-based system. It automatically adjusts the position of shades incrementally on windows to maximize view and daylight, while protecting people and work surfaces from direct sun, excessive brightness and glare.
Intelligent fluorescent ballasts use environmental sensors and personal control components to provide adaptive and efficient lighting control. This works three ways: turning lights off when a space is empty, turning lights down during daylight hours and giving users complete control of the lighting around them.
All of these components are scalable and can be added to the system at any time without going back to the drawing board. They can be controlled or reconfigured without any costly rewiring or remodeling after the initial installation. This is key, as owners and tenants want to know operating costs are not going to accelerate dramatically over time.
Part of the Construction Process
Regardless of whether a project is seeking a green certification, it is now common for contractors to work hand in hand with HVAC, total light management and building operating management professionals from day one of the design process. This makes it possible for each system to work in harmony.
A total light management firm can partner with a construction firm once a project’s design concept is created. Having a single source that is responsible for the implementation and ultimate performance of the system reduces risks and costs. Few contractors have the specialized knowledge and expertise necessary to fully integrate artificial lighting with natural light control, so the customer gains value by having components installed and commissioned as a system that fits the customized needs of the space.
Total light management specialists ensure system integration to meet a project’s performance and aesthetic challenges. They select different types of glass that allow more or less light through a building’s windows, depending on the direction they face and the temperature inside the space. They also incorporate solar shading into curtainwall designs to control the use of natural light and heat, and can tie the entire system together with personal controls so building occupants are always comfortable.
Without a focus on lighting, no building’s design has maxed out the opportunities to be more sustainable. And today, there is no room for error in building performance.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012