Advancing the Daylighting Discussion

Explore the scientifically proven advantages of automation in daylight management
[ Page 5 of 9 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 next page
Sponsored by MechoSystems
Jeanette Fitzgerald Pitts
This test is no longer available for credit

Daylighting Benefits: Occupant Health, Productivity, and Efficiency

There are now many studies detailing, at length, the positive impact of daylight exposure on human health, productivity, and building efficiency.

Daylight and Health

Daylight exposure, or the lack thereof, can make a dramatic impact on the health and well-being of the human body. The daily cycle of daylight and dark is the primary source of synchronization for many important internal processes called circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms govern sleep/wake cycles, regulate hormone release and body temperature, and affect blood pressure, mood, metabolism, reproduction, and immune response. Disrupted circadian rhythms have been associated with an increased risk for a cardiovascular event, obesity, diabetes, and neurological problems, such as depression.

Daylight and Productivity

Daylit spaces foster an environment where people are more productive or simply do better. A ground-breaking 2003 study, “Windows and Offices: A Study of Office Worker Performance and the Indoor Environment,” also by the Heschong Mahone Group, explored the impact of daylight on a California call center and found 7 to 12 percent faster call processing and a 16 percent improvement in cognitive tests for those with a primary view through a window. Workers with a view spent 15 percent more time on their primary tasks than their peers without a view who spent 15 percent more time talking on the phone or with others. In healthcare environments, patients with access to daylight have demonstrated reduced post-operative recovery times, reduced use of pain medication, and improved outcomes. In educational settings, the incorporation of daylight has been linked with increased learning capacity. A 1999 study, “Daylighting in Schools,” conducted by Heschong Mahone Group, found that students in classrooms illuminated by daylight achieved higher test scores and learned faster than students in settings that had little or no daylight.

Daylight and Building Efficiency

As a natural energy source of light and heat, daylight can also offer significant gains to the built environment in terms of improved efficiency, if the building is able to effectively harness the available energy. Effectively incorporating daylight into commercial buildings can reduce electricity use for lighting by 40 to 50 percent or more. Reducing the amount of time that the lights are on also reduces the heat that is generated by the lighting system, reducing the total load on the HVAC system and creating savings. Depending upon the geographic location of the building, daylight can also be used as a passive warming source, offering another benefit to the HVAC system.

 

[ Page 5 of 9 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 next page
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in May 2016

Notice

Academies