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Some Strategies to Maximize

Daylighting Systems
Use light shelves combined with higher, more
reflective ceilings to control glare and excessive
contrast, as well as to bring natural light deeper
into perimeter spaces.
Shape the architectural plan and section to
maximize the amount of useful, controlled daylight
that penetrates into occupied spaces through roof
monitors, clerestories, atriums, and courtyards.
Use shading devices such as overhangs on south
elevations, vertical fins on east and west elevations,
and/or vegetation to let in natural light but reduce
glare and overheating.
Select glazing with the highest possible visible
transmittance to increase daylighting.
Use appropriate photocontrols to adjust electric
lighting in response to available daylight.
From the Sustainable Design Guide of the
University of Minnesota
www.sustainabledesignguide.umn.edu

e-News

Issue 33 May 27, 2001

A Reflection on Your Expertise:

New Ceiling Materials that Enhance
the Efficiency of Your Lighting Design
In the world
of leading-edge
commercial
building design,
acoustical ceiling
tile hasnt
exactly been an
exciting topic.
Its been doing
its job, reducing
noise levels
within a space
while allowing
access to the
Photo credit: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
plenum. Recent
High reflectance ceilings can increase light levels and
advances
save energy in most lighting strategies.
help building
designers to use this formerly ho-hum building material as a key
element in an energy-saving, environmentally friendly lighting
design. High light reflectance ceiling panels can benefit all
lighting schemes, although the greatest energy and capital cost
savings come with the use of indirect lighting.
The ability of an acoustical ceiling tile to reflect light is
indicated by its Light Reflectance value (LR), or the percentage
of light striking the panel that is reflected. LRs range from 0.00
to 1.00, so an LR of 0.75 means the panel reflects 75 percent of
the light striking it. Commonly used acoustical ceilings have an
LR of 0.70 to 0.81, but high light reflectance ceilings have an
LR of 0.82 or higher.

Benefits for Indirect Electric Lighting

Visit the EDR website at:

www.energydesignresources.com

High light reflectance ceilings can increase a designer's ability

to use indirect lighting more efficiently. Indirect lighting systems
provide a brighter, more evenly distributed light with fewer
shadows and less glare than direct systems. To complement
these features, high light reflectance ceilings provide balanced
(Continued)

Ceilings and Indoor Air Quality

Ceilings have strong impacts on the indoor air
quality. Along with upholstery and carpet, ceilings
have the most potential to absorb hazardous
chemicals and release them into the environment.
The most environmentally sound ceilings are made
of natural materials that do not release volatile
organic compounds. Perlite, ceramic clay, and
inorganic binders are categorized as natural materials.
All of these materials are non-flammable so they will
not burn or emit toxins nor will they encourage mold,
mildew, or bacteria. Highly reflective ceilings work
with the climate control in the area because they help
to distribute heat throughout the area.
The leading manufacturers of ceiling materials are
now including a significant proportion of recycled
content in their product lines, including the
energy-saving high reflectance products.

lighting diffusion due to their consistent surface finish and

lower lighting loss factor because their soil-resistant surfaces
remain reflective. In addition, high reflectance ceilings provide
a significant increase in light level, according to a lighting
economic study prepared by The Weidt Group, an independent
building industry consulting firm. For example, when compared
to a ceiling with a 0.75 LR, a 0.89 LR ceiling can increase
light levels up to 25 percent with indirect lighting, up to 18
percent with direct/indirect lighting, and up to four percent
with direct lighting.
The Weidt study also found that upgrading ceilings from the
typical 0.75 LR to 0.89 LR in spaces lit with indirect fixtures
can result in 18 percent reductions in both initial costs and
ongoing operating costs. The savings in initial costs are possible
because the increase in light level per fixture allows for the
installation of fewer fixtures in a space for any given required
footcandle level. In the case of indirect systems, up to 18 percent
fewer fixtures are needed. Savings on building operating costs
continue because when fewer fixtures are installed, less energy
is needed to power them and remove the heat they generate, and
less money is spent on replacement parts and labor.

Benefits for Daylighting

High reflectance ceilings also increased the benefits of
daylighting because the principal light distribution mechanism
is the ceiling. Technological advances in fenestration
configurations have improved the lighting levels available with
energy-saving passive daylighting techniques. Features such
as louvers, prisms, or light-transmitting fibers placed inside
the airspace can direct daylight up to the ceiling surface where
it may be reflected into the workspace. The angle of reflection
can be adjusted to account for building geographic location
and orientation of the particular side of the building. Passive
solutions offer the advantage of flexibility, effectiveness,
energy savings, and virtually no maintenance for the owner.
Ceilings are an important part of that light distribution system.
If the ceiling is highly reflective, it increases the effectiveness
of the daylighting strategy. These surfaces increase the light
level within the space and the penetration of the light into
the space. For example, the Weidt study showed that a
0.89 LR ceiling increased daylight levels 15-20 percent at a
distance of 12-22 feet from a window when compared to
a 0.75 LR ceiling.

Benefits in a High Performance

Integrated Building Design
Energy User News 2001 Efficient
Building Awards
Energy User News is soliciting nominations for its
annual energy efficiency and building awards.
Winning installations will be announced and profiled
in the December issue. Awards will be presented at a
breakfast held in Atlanta in October, concurrent with
the World Energy Engineering Congress.
The awards recognize innovations in building
management and energy efficiencyin either retrofits
or new construction throughout North Americathat
provide unique building solutions and also achieve
significant energy and cost savings. To be eligible for
the 2001 competition, projects must have entered
service no earlier than May 1, 2000, and have actual
operating data from at least three consecutive months.
Nominations are due by August 15, 2001.
The nomination form is available at
www. energyusernews.com or by calling Nikki Smith
at (248) 244-6479. For more information, contact
Kevin Heslin, (518) 731-7311,
kevineun@earthlink.net.

U.S. Green Building Council

Fourth Annual Member Summit
"Green Building University"
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, Arizona
August 20-21, 2001
Pre-Summit Events: August 18-19
Post-Summit LEED Workshop: August 22
For more information, see www.usgbc.org.

Following an integrated design approach using a raised floor

system, high reflectance ceilings have an even greater impact.
In addition to maximizing electrical/teledata flexibility, the
cavity between the structural slab and the raised floor plane
creates a supply air plenum. Relocatable floor-mounted diffusers
in every workspace allow for individual air volume and
temperature control.
Using this approach, the ceiling is free of supply air diffusers
and acts as an uninterrupted reflecting surface for pendant
mounted indirect illumination, a system of split task/ambient
lighting. By utilizing state-of-the-art high reflectance ceiling
tiles, ambient lighting can be reduced from 100 footcandles at
the work surface to only 30 footcandles. This reduces the
number of required light fixtures, lowering lighting energy
consumption by 20 to 30 percent. It also decreases the heat load
generated by these lights, which in turn further reduces required
chiller capacity. Task lighting can be controlled by motion
sensors to further reduce energy consumption.
As a result, these integrated technologies also dramatically
improve light and air quality. This translates directly into
positive impacts on the comfort and productivity of office
workers while reducing energy consumption.
For more information on high reflectance ceilings, see
Look Up to Bring Down Lighting Costs by William Beakes,
a research scientist with Armstrong World Industries, at
www.isdesignet.com/Magazine/Oct'96/Lightingcosts.html
You can also request a free copy of the Weidt Group study,
Performance Benefits of High Reflectance Ceilings, by calling
(800) 448-1405.
For a case study of an integrated building design using high
reflectance ceiling design, see
www.gggc.state.pa.us/building/scrobhpis.html