In the United Kingdom, homeowners and business owners alike are constantly looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of their space without taking a hit in terms of the space’s aesthetic. There are many different options to choose from, but homeowners and business practitioners need to know which aspects of a new fixture in their space are going to fit into the schematic of their space best as well as which of the many options they are provided with will not break the bank. Often times, rooflights are the most common way to achieve maximum energy efficiency and optimal cost-effectiveness in the process of fitting a space with environmentally sustainable design features.
The United Kingdom’s Climate Reduction Commitment, now called the CRC Efficiency Scheme, is changing the landscape of how public and private sector organisations conduct themselves with respect to their emissions output and their overall carbon footprint. Unfortunately, this requires the reimagining of various different office buildings and professional spaces to incorporate energy efficient fixtures and design features into that space.
The main characteristic of the rooflight that makes it so desirable as method of achieving maximum energy efficiency is the fact that the rooflight completely eliminates the need for electrical lighting. Offices with electrical lighting all throughout have significantly higher energy costs, even if they have LED lighting or any other type of electrical lighting that preaches energy efficiency. Rooflights are able to channel sun light into a space, which not only provides equal if not higher amounts light, but also presents a more natural feel to any space. This may seem like a strange option because one often thinks of times when the sun is not out and how light is supposed to be attained in those times. However, it is important to remember that in order to meet the requirements of the CRC Efficiency Scheme, rooflights are being fitted into offices where there will be very few if any employees present and in need of light.
Finding the proper rooflight fixtures is important for any space, but it is especially important if that space is focusing on using a majority of natural light providers than electrical light providers. Design and sustainability experts alike suggest that the area of one light should equate to 10% of the floor area to avoid problems of insufficient lighting. To heighten the efficient operation of these types of lights, bumping the ratio up to 20% of the floor space allocated to one light is recommended. Additionally, the use of many different smaller lights rather than a fewer amount of large sweeping lights can help bring natural light to different spots within a space and reduce the tendency for sunlight angles to darken certain rooms.
Conducting an energy audit of a given space is the ideal way to determine whether or not a rooflight is right for that space. This allows the individuals in charge of managing an office or professional space to see what energy-saving processes are in place, if any, determine the amount of money that is being spent that could be saved, and to set realistic goals regarding energy efficiency moving forward. In an effort to increase energy efficiency and make a consistent effort towards environmental consciousness, considering this intervention is looked to as a perfect way to start.
Read more to determine what rooflights are best for the needs of a professional space and how to go about installing rooflights in that space. With the proper amount of research, the process can actually be quite simple.