[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: Daylight harvesting progress

[Lawrence Lile]

> Sunoptics prismatic skylights transmit 40% more light than others, 
> with no hot spots. 

A claim I find hard to believe. 

>They ship the equivalent of 1 MW/week of 
> fluorescents for installation in Wal-Mart roofs and other places...
> 
> In 2003, their president Jerry Blomberg wrote to the CA Energy
Commission:

> 
> I know that it is not the Energy Commission's job to improve the 
> working conditions of the people of California, but if you required an

> effective skylight to floor area ratio of 2% in all new buildings, it 
> would make every building in California a delight to work in. There 
> would be fewer divorces, less child abuse, fewer dogs or cats kicked 
> when they are in the way. The fact is, daylighted space with an ESFR 
> of 2% reduces stress, and stress of any kind weakens our immune
systems and increases societies'


Skylights also sell more soap.  Walmart did a test a number of years
ago, installed skylights in half a store.  Sales went up by 15% in that
half.  Then they swapped the products in the store, suddenly the duds on
the other side that weren't selling, also went up 15% on the sunlit
side.  When people are in daylight, they feel better, and they buy more
stuff.  Needless to say, many new Walmarts are starting to go in with
skylights.  

Mr. Bloomberg may be a biased witness, and may be exaggerating, but what
he is saying is basically right, daylight does make people feel better
generally.  I don't know about the kicking-dogs-and-cats claim though...

 
 
Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP