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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO ENERGY, FEATURES, HOME AND GARDEN, AND LIFESTYLES EDITORS:
VELUX Study Confirms Skylights Contribute To Home Energy Savings
FORT MILL, S.C., April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth Day is a perfect
time for homeowners looking for a green method to bring more natural
light and passive ventilation into homes to consider solar powered
fresh air skylights. Homes that utilize skylights, in combination
with vertical windows, to provide adequate levels of daylight tend to
be more energy efficient, according to a study commissioned by VELUX
America.
An in-depth discussion of the study is found at
http://tinyurl.com/admhwh4 while a more consumer-oriented site
illustrating skylight features and benefits is at
www.whyskylights.com.
"A Study of the Energy Impacts of Residential Skylights in Different
Climates," prepared by Group14 Engineering, used computer models based
on a one-story, open plan, single-family home modeled under
code-compliant conditions of California's Title 24 regulations. The
baseline-modeled home has a maximum 20 percent window-to-floor area
(with no skylights) with windows evenly distributed on all facades to
achieve an average daylight factor of five percent.
Researchers added skylights and adjusted the amount and configuration
of vertical windows to test how the model would perform in different
climate zones, while giving the living space sufficient daylight. The
study explored the effects of these configurations on the utility
bills generated by the model homes in Los Angeles and Napa,
California, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Minneapolis, Orlando and
Seattle, using their specific code requirements.
It found that by providing daylight via skylights, the total glazing
area could be reduced, on average, from a maximum 20 percent of floor
area to 12 percent of floor area while achieving the same baseline
average of daylight factor target of five percent. In the best-case
scenario, the total glazing area was reduced from 20 percent to as low
as eight percent.
This was found to reduce annual heating and cooling energy use and
costs in all but two of the 108 models with skylights the group
analyzed. For simplicity, lighting savings, shading efficiencies, and
increased natural ventilation attributable to skylights were not
evaluated. Further studies are underway to quantify these additional
efficiency contributions.
"While we have always known the intangible benefits of adding
daylighting from above to homes, this study provides empirical
evidence that natural light from skylights can contribute to the
home's overall energy efficiency," said Stephan Moyon, direct of sales
for VELUX America. "Skylights admit twice as much daylight per square
foot of glass as vertical windows," Moyon says. "This provides a
rational explanation as to why adding skylights can help reduce
glazing while maintaining the daylight factor."
Group14 Engineering is based in Denver, Colorado. The company
specializes in energy modeling, daylighting and LEED strategy for
architectural firms and building owners.
VELUX America is an ENERGY STAR@ partner and has been recognized as a
Partner of the Year. For more, visit www.veluxusa.com or call
1-800-283-2831.
CONTACT: Keith Hobbs 919-844-0064 khobbs@nc.rr.com
Related Link: VELUX America Home Page Video -
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu\_archive/PRNA/ENR/FX-MM08069-20140422-1.mp4
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140417/76277 Photo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140417/76279
SOURCE VELUX
-0- 04/22/2014
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140417/76277
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140417/76279
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.veluxusa.com
CO: VELUX; Group14 Engineering; ENERGY STAR(R)
ST: South Carolina
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PRN
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0000 04/22/2014 09:20:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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