BCIT’s carpentry students construct and assemble many projects under a large outdoor canopy. However, even though they are outside, there is not enough daylight for them to work safely. Artificial lighting is therefore needed under the canopy roof even on a blue sky day. The good news is that the canopy was designed with the option to install skylights in the future. Skylights along with daylight sensors to only activate artificial lighting when there is not enough natural light will greatly reduce carpentry’s electrical use.
When you avoid ventilation and heating by working under a canopy and then add the advantage of using natural light, you can begin to see how a 75 percent reduction of energy throughput is possible.
The Factor Four team is working with Prism Engineering on an energy study for a design that would bring daylight under the canopy using a combination of traditional skylights and Solatubes. The full case study will be published soon. Stay tuned…
Read the engineering report: BCIT Canopy Updated Daylighting Report
Energy conservation: 95% of the canopy lighting energy or 30,000 kWh per year
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