An Energy Efficient Lighting Design Strategy to Enhance Visual Comfort in Offices with Windows

Mehdi Amirkhani, Veronica Garcia-Hansen, Gillian Isoardi and Alicia Allan
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Mehdi Amirkhani: School of Design, Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane 4001, Australia
Veronica Garcia-Hansen: School of Design, Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane 4001, Australia
Gillian Isoardi: School of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane 4001, Australia
Alicia Allan: School of Design, Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane 4001, Australia

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: A high luminance contrast between windows and surrounding surfaces can increase the risk of discomfort glare, which can diminish office workers’ satisfaction and productivity. Accordingly, it can lead to occupant interventions, such as drawing window blinds or increasing electric light levels, which are intended to enhance indoor visual comfort but counterproductively act to increase energy consumption. Increasing the luminance of the areas surrounding the windows using a supplementary lighting system, such as wall-washing with light emitting diode (LED) linear luminaires, could reduce discomfort glare arising from windowed walls. This paper reports on the results of a study in a typical office room in Brisbane, Australia. The outcomes of this study indicate that creating a luminance contrast of between 11:1 and 12:1 on the window wall in an office room with a 45% window-to-exterior-wall ratio using a supplementary LED system leads to improved subjective assessments of window appearance. The results suggest that such an enhancement could significantly reduce discomfort glare from windows, as well as diminishing the likelihood of the users intending to turn on the ceiling lights or to move the blinds.

Keywords: window design; visual discomfort; luminance contrast; window wall; office space; LED (light emitting diode) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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