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Shortchanging Daylight
The reason for daylighting in buildings is to save energy, and so the value (“payback”) of that daylighting can be calculated by predicting and pricing the amount of energy saved. That’s a common line of thought which is easy to slip into, but it’s dead wrong. Let’s look at a simple example of a... »
The Tortoise and the Hare: Linear Fluorescent Lamps and LEDs
The dazzle of new LED technology is grabbing most of the headlines in today’s energy efficiency stories, but, in reality, good ol’ linear fluorescent lighting systems are delivering consistent light output with terrific energy savings at very competitive prices on most of today’s LEED projects. While LED technology has been the darling of fixture... »
The 50% Rule
What is the 50% rule? Well, I just made it up – just now. It’s not a new concept by any means; I’m applying it to lighting, although I suppose you could apply it to just about anything. It’s about efficiency and utility: how much of something do you get versus how much you... »
The Lure of the Time-Based Energy Code
Energy codes got you down? Is squeezing wattage cramping your design? You’re not alone – a lot of designers feel this way, and for good reason. As the country demands more and more energy efficiency, we’re spending more and more time counting watts and squeezing every last drop from power allowances just to make... »
Specification Grade Sustainability
Recently a lighting company came into our office to show us their new LED fixture. I prepared myself for the usual spiel: tight quality binning, a high-performance heat sink, ELV dimming option. However, this particular fixture had been designed in a way that we haven’t seen from many other companies: the entire fixture, an... »
The Next Big Step
Lighting design hasn’t changed much since someone first decided to call himself a lighting designer. Twenty years ago, the most earth-shattering developments were in fluorescent lamps; ten years ago saw advances in ceramic metal halide; today we’re cautiously welcoming LEDs into regular practice. LEDs really do have the potential to displace a lot of... »
How Much Energy Do You Use on Your Commute To Work?
Lighting systems have gotten vastly more efficient in the last decade. This is thanks to better bulbs, better luminaires and controls, and better lighting design – and let’s all keep working hard to make them even more efficient as technologies and design methods continue to improve. But, let’s also give ourselves a little credit... »
Solar Decathlon: Not So Sunny, But Full of Energy!
I was fortunate to be able to spend the weekend visiting the Solar Decathlon houses on the Mall in Washington, D.C. (see the Solar Decathlon website and Amber’s last blog article “Curious” About Sustainable Design?). Miserable weather meant that the houses weren’t generating much electricity, but the energy produced by the students attracted many... »
Why Light It?
Light pollution and light trespass are hot exterior lighting topics, and they both relate directly to the broader topic of energy conservation. Simple logic tells us that shooting light into the night sky, either directly or inadvertently, is basically a waste of light and energy. The light that escapes above the horizon hits nothing... »
Daylighting Through Building Weight Loss: Thin Your Way to Sustainability
Ever been in a building so big that you can’t see a window or what’s going on outside? A lot of modern buildings are so big, fat, and wide that you can get lost in their bowels and, unfortunately, those depths can’t function without the help of electrical or mechanical systems. They’re on life... »
