Daylight utilization

Daylight utilization is technology aims to secure light during the day, a reduce
lighting energy consumption as well as increase occupants comfort
3.2.1 Purpose and key points of daylight utilization
1. Skillfully introduction of daytime brightness into the room reduces
unnecessary use of lighting, which would enable to reduce lighting energy
consumption
2. The stark contrast in lighting between an opening and inside of the room will
result on daytime lighting, due to dark indoor condition despite sufficient
daylighting
3. The daylight utilization technology consist of daylighting method and
daylight guiding methods

3.2.2 Energy conservation target levels for daylight utilization

1. Definition
Level
Level
Level
Level

0
1
2
3

Cooling
Cooling
Cooling
Cooling

energy
energy
energy
energy

reduction
reduction
reduction
reduction

None
Approx. 2-3 %
Approx. 5 %
Approx. 10 %

2. Requirement
a) Site condition
The possibility on sunlight utilization varies depending on the condition of
surrounding area. Such as building that interrupt the sunlight from entering to
the house.
Location 1
Location 2
Location 3

High density, high rise location in which sunlight is hard to

utilize
High density location in which sunlight can be utilized with
ingenuity
Suburban location in which sunlight can be easy to utilized

B) Daylight conditions
Table 1 Guidelines for daylighting conditions

Daylighting
condition 0
(equivalent with
building standard
SANTY (D149502)

Living/dining
room

Seniors/Childre
ns room

Mono
directional
daylighting

Mono
directional
daylighting

Other
habitable
room
Mono
directional
daylighting

Non
habitable
room
-

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Bidirectional
daylighting

Daylighting
condition 2

Bidirectional
daylighting

Mono
directional
daylighting
Bidirectional
daylighting

Daylighting
condition 3

Bidirectional
daylighting

Bidirectional
daylighting

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law of Japan)
Daylighting
condition 1

Mono
directional
daylighting
Mono
directional
daylighting
Mono
directional
daylighting

Mono
directional
daylighting

Note:
Mono and bi directional daylighting refers to the number of daylight utilization
methods adopted.

3. How to achieved target levels

1. How to achieve the target levels
Table 2 Target levels for daylight utilization and how to achieve them.

Level
0
Level
1
Level
2
Level
3

Living/dinin
g room
None
Approx. 2-3
%
Approx. 5 %
Approx. 10
%

Daylighting conditions (application of methods(

Location 1
Location 2
Location 3
Day lighting
condition 0
Day lighting
Day lighting
Day lighting
condition 3
condition 2
condition 1
Day lighting
Day lighting
condition 3
condition 2
Day lighting
condition 3

2. Types of daylight utilization method and light environment characteristic

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3.2.3 Steps for examining daylight utilization technology and

prerequisites
1. Steps for examining daylight utilization technology

Step 1. Confirming site and sunlight conditions

A) Study the seasonal site and sunlight condition from the floor planning
perspective and consider a location that will continue to ensure the
sunlight in the future
B) Study the seasonal site and sunlight condition from a sectional planning
perspective and framework of the three dimensional building shape,
including the number of stories.
Step 2. Examining direct daylight utilization methods
A) Examine the position and shapes of the opening that enable daylighting.
Consider the relationship between daylight utilization and wind utilization.
B) Examine the sun control system around the openings. Consider the
relationship daylight utilization and solar shading
Step 3. Examining indirect daylight utilization methods
A) Examine daylight guiding methods according to the spatial structures and
daylighting methods
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B) Make the daylight guiding plan feasible for entire space as much as
possible. Examining the spatial connection such as partition walls and
their types.
Step 4. Identifying areas lacking daylight and incorporation this into lighting
system
A) Identify areas lacking daylight and incorporating this into lighting system

2. Prerequisites
1. Floor check planning based on site condition
- Use sun shadow diagram to study how surrounding building and other objects
cast a shadow over the site.

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2. Sectional planning based on the site condition

- Perform a three-dimensional shade check for specific planning.
- The possibility of receiving daylight from the opening is high when the space
between buildings is wide.

3.2.4 Daylight Utilization methods

Methods 1. Direct daylight utilization methods
Even the position and shapes of the opening have been determined, daylighting
through openings alone leads to problems such as solar radiation heat directly
entering the room and direct sunlight being too bright, which significantly impair

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occupants comfort. To avoid this, solar shading and sun control should be
planned together so that an appropriate level of daylight is achieved.
a. Planning position and shapes of openings
- Side windows
Some important things should be taken into consideration to the
installation of opening:
a) The higher the position of the opening, the further the light reaches
in the room and the greater the uniformity of the indoor illuminance
b) The higher the position of the window, the easier the protection of
privacy and the greater the tendency of opening the curtains
c) The higher the position of windows, the further it is from the center
of the visual field and ease the glare reduction.
-

Top side windows

Top side windows might be greatly useful if the space between
buildings is narrow and the possibility of daylighting from side windows
is extremely low, or if there is north facing windows room required
more light.

b. Planning sun control devices

- Install outside
- Install inside
It is necessary to understand the characteristic of each sun control
device and select the one that suits the period of use, direction to be
installed and purpose.
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Sun control effect of overhangs

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The sun control effect of overhang is depend on the depth.

Figure a and b show the differences in the perception of light from the south
facing opening at noon. Since the solar altitude is high, deep overhang (b)
creates a large shady area and the glare of the opening is small.

Figure c and d show the perception of light from the east facing opening at 9.00
a.m. Since the solar altitude is lower than noon, the sun shines on the floor, but
deep overhang can reduce the glare area

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Sun control effect of decorative openings

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The sun control effect with decorative opening frequently used in order to help
protect against heavy wind and provide aesthetic landscaping. In Figure b, the
decorative opening prevent the back of the room from looking dark by securely
blocking solar radiation.

Figure A (without blocks of decorative opening)

Figure B (with blocks of decorative opening)

Another example of decorative opening

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Method 2. Indirect daylight utilization methods

a. Daylight guiding using spatial structures
- Transom windows

Similar to transom windows, glass block or glass screen in partition wall

guides daylight into the entire space.
-

Light wells

The light well is used in the combination of top side windows or other
means.
b. Daylight guiding using reflection on finished surface ( reflection on outside
surface, back of eaves and indoor surfaces)
The fundamental of this methods are that the light reflected on the ground
is reflected further on the back eaves and ceiling around the opening in
order to guide the light into the back of the room.

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c. Daylight guiding using devices

It is desirable that the light shelf installed at higher position than the eye
level in order to secure view.

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