In order to sustain energy, we must look for ways to optimize natural energy; we have unlimited quantities of sunlight and wind at our disposal. If natural resources are used correctly we can reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels that power much of today’s energy requirements. Currently, fossil fuels are consumed in enormous quantities and exhaust large amounts of pollutants into the air we breath, further damaging the planet we live in.
In commercial buildings the concept of daylighting is being embraced – using natural light through skylights and windows to diminish the dependence on interior electric light, which consumes 38% of the electricity requirements. When allowing natural light to penetrate deep into interior spaces, while eliminating glare and heat gain (or loss) via an effective window management system, we are now making the first significant contribution to energy conservation and thus real energy savings!
Think about it – Typically windows make up over 50% of most commercial building surfaces. Heat gain penetrating through the glass should be paramount to any energy sustainability plan with daylighting considerations in order to optimize return on investment (ROI) made in lighting systems, HVAC controls and ventilation. In today’s economy, increasing energy efficiency to reduce operating costs has become paramount in maintaining a building’s asset value.
