Daylight, energy conservation and comfort in an office building

Journal Article · · Solar Today; (United States)

OSTI ID:7084182

Cartwright, V; Reynolds, J S ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, (United States)

Emerald People's Utility District (EPUD), located near Eugene, Oregon, is a publicly owned electric utility with a strong commitment to both energy conservation and alternative, renewable sources of energy. EPUD's headquarters is a 2330 m[sup 2] (25,000 sf) office building designed to incorporate daylighting, passive solar heating and night flush cooling. Daylighting was identified as an important design objective early in the design process because of its popularity with the workers and its contribution to energy conservation. This paper describes the lighting and thermal design considerations in the construction of the building. Although the building has not yet reached its full conservation potential, the users express considerable satisfaction with their environment. They appreciate the softness and evenness of the daylight and task lighting was rarely used during the November and December measurements of the occupied building. The persistent coolness in summer is also popular. Some local dissatisfaction with winter heating has led to task heaters under some desks. After these were installed, the overall heating electricity use in that zone decreased, probably due to lowered thermostat settings.

• OSTI ID: 7084182
• Journal Information: Solar Today; (United States), Journal Name: Solar Today; (United States) Vol. 6:1; ISSN SOTOEV
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
BUILDINGS
DAYLIGHTING
DEMAND
DESIGN
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY DEMAND
FEDERAL REGION X
NORTH AMERICA
OFFICE BUILDINGS
OREGON
THERMAL COMFORT
USA