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Daylight Means Big Savings
Thomas Edison may have changed the world with the invention of the electric
light bulb, but that doesn't mean we can't work backwards. After all, sometimes
you can't improve on the perfection of nature.
Daylight is arguably the highest quality light source. It presents the truest
color rendition. It is less straining on the eyes. It has been linked with improved
mental and physical health and even enhanced productivity. But let's not forget
the best part ? it's free.
Using natural lighting techniques ? or daylighting ? in commercial buildings
is not an original concept. However, creative, high-tech approaches are making
the process more effective than ever, as well as more economical and convenient
to implement.
With so many daylighting options available, businesses are reconsidering how
they light their facilities. The commercial building industry is reevaluating
options for its clients. Staggering energy figures are coming to light from
intelligently planned daylighting projects, and the potential savings are impossible
for anyone to ignore.
Consider the facts:
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy, artificial lighting accounts
for as much as 40 to 50 percent of the energy consumption of commercial and
institutional buildings.
- The U.S. Green Building Council reports that well-designed daylighting can
reduce lighting usage by 50 to 80 percent.
- Lockheed Martin reported a 75 percent reduction in its electricity costs
(approximately $500,000 annually) after daylighting its Sunnyvale, Calif.,
facility.
- Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reported that a
daylighting retrofit at the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce resulted in a
47 percent reduction in annual electricity consumption.
- A Pacific Gas & Electric Company daylighting project at a McDonald's restaurant
reduced energy use in the dining and lobby areas by 30 to 40 percent.
- According to the California Public Utilities Commission, an average grocery
store could save about $16,000 per year (or 32 cents per square foot) in operating
costs by utilizing skylights. Additionally, a typical school could save 47,500
per year (or 23 cents per square foot) and an industrial building could save
about 12 cents per square foot.
INC Bank in the Netherlands reported that its new headquarters (designed to
favor natural lighting) used 92 percent less energy than an adjacent bank constructed
at the same time, saving the bank $2.9 million a year.
Solatube International Inc., the innovator of the tubular skylight product
which has been used in residential applications for more than a decade, recently
launched its SolaMaster? Series, a whole new line of tubular skylights ideally
suited for commercial interiors.
As a simple, cost-effective alternative to traditional box skylights, these
compact units measure just 21-inches in diameter and feature a square ceiling
diffuser that integrates into any office ceiling configuration. As with all
Solatube products, the compact, adjustable tubing fits around ceiling plenum
obstructions, and in most cases, no structural modifications are needed. The
modular design provides flexibility for building owners and easily reconfigures
to accommodate future interior layout changes.
At Solatube International's headquarters in Vista, Calif., a retrofit to include
the company's 21-inch units resulted in an 86.1 percent reduction in lighting
costs for the daylit portion of the office and a 68.2 percent reduction for
the warehouse area.
For more information on Solatube tubular skylights, call 800-966-SOLA or visit
the Solatube website at www.solatube.com.
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