Add Smart Shading to Solar Strategies

摘要

Daylighting provides unde-niable benefits to building occupants, but the accompanying solar heat gain and glare introduce issues of their own. It can be hard to bring in the right amount of light while moderating the heat. Shading systems can help users find a healthy balance by blocking out the excess sunlight, but there's more on the market than the roller shades or Venetian blinds that typically come to mind first. External shading in particular can be a useful solution for reducing cooling demand and energy consumption because it directs solar heat away from the building before it has a chance to enter, says Irene Pau, a senior building envelope physicist in the facades team of Arup Facades' Los Angeles office. Could your building use better balance between natural light and unwanted heat? Compare it with these variables to determine whether exterior shading is a potential solution for your facility.