Comments on: Rules of thumb for daylighting design http://www.elfstromengineering.com/2009/04/14/rules-of-thumb-for-daylighting-design/ Healthy homes and buildings for your changing energy future Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:00:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Grant Grable http://www.elfstromengineering.com/2009/04/14/rules-of-thumb-for-daylighting-design/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Grant Grable Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:35:05 +0000 http://www.elfstromengineering.com/?p=286#comment-50 I find it interesting that Harvard did not realize the opportunity available, even in overcast sky conditions, by utilizing top lighting with skylights for their simulations. Horizontal glazings, even in overcast skies, provide 3 times the amount of light per square foot of penetration into the space. People assume that overcast skies have very little light available for daylighting. If you are ever curious, take a foot candle meter outside on an overcast sky or the shade of a tree and watch yourself being immersed in well over 1,000 FC or 10,000 LUX of glare free natural light. Even high end retail only needs approximately 75 - 100 FC (750-1000 LUX). The environmental impact and reduction of energy through daylighting should almost become a mandatory solution. Afterall... there's no greater efficiency than off! I find it interesting that Harvard did not realize the opportunity available, even in overcast sky conditions, by utilizing top lighting with skylights for their simulations. Horizontal glazings, even in overcast skies, provide 3 times the amount of light per square foot of penetration into the space. People assume that overcast skies have very little light available for daylighting. If you are ever curious, take a foot candle meter outside on an overcast sky or the shade of a tree and watch yourself being immersed in well over 1,000 FC or 10,000 LUX of glare free natural light. Even high end retail only needs approximately 75 – 100 FC (750-1000 LUX). The environmental impact and reduction of energy through daylighting should almost become a mandatory solution. Afterall… there’s no greater efficiency than off!

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