Skylight Technology for Better Building Performance
As 90% of our time is spent indoors, VELUX Commercial is committed to bringing natural ventilation and abundant daylight to the forefront of building design by incorporating advanced automation and daylighting innovations.
New technology and product evolution are impacting every industry, and it's no wonder architects and builders are looking to incorporate smart technology into their commercial daylighting designs. Did you know that research shows indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air?
With a focus on sustainability, health, and well-being, VELUX Commercial is revolutionizing the daylighting industry with new skylight technology and materials that not only automate daylighting but also improve access to daylight and fresh air.
Read how these five daylighting innovations are helping maximize daylight to increase occupant well-being and productivity.
1. Daylight Harvesting
During seasons when we spend more time indoors, our exposure to natural daylight often decreases. Incorporating more natural daylight into built environments is key to improving health and well-being while minimizing energy costs.
Innovations in daylight harvesting have changed how we think of available daylight. With the revolutionary design of the VELUX Dynamic Dome, commercial spaces can now harvest additional sun rays that would typically pass over a building. The advanced geometric pattern of ridges and ribs deflects sunlight at low angles off a flat wall, allowing the Dynamic Dome to capture and transmit light to a building that would typically bounce off. Product simulations have shown that these commercial dome skylights harvest up to 56 more minutes of sunlight per day, for potential yearly lighting savings of up to 340 hours.
Related: See how daylight harvesting works
2. Smart, Automated Technology
With so many business operations to worry about, daylight and fresh air availability shouldn't be one of them. Continuing to push the boundaries of innovative daylighting technologies, VELUX Modular Skylights operate with an intelligent, programmable control system that can even detect and close the modules in the case of rain or strong winds.
Managing heat gain and glare throughout the day can help create a more comfortable indoor environment, support employee well-being and productivity, and reduce strain on HVAC systems. These innovative module skylights can also include a fully integrated chain actuator that automatically opens and ventilates a space to maintain a comfortable indoor climate. By offering automatic or solar-powered ventilation units, hot air that naturally accumulates near the ceiling can be expelled to keep the interior temperature cooler. Also available are smart roller blinds that can be programmed to respond to luminosity or temperature, eliminating glare and reducing heat gain.
3. Calculated Energy Savings
One MIT study estimates that between 25% and 40% of energy expenditure is attributable to lighting. "Depending on the building and how it's used, a good daylighting strategy can reduce the need for energy-consuming electric lighting by 20% to 80%," says Dr. Marilyne Andersen of MIT's Department of Architecture. VELUX Commercial is committed to helping design sustainable buildings with eco-friendly solutions and innovative materials that reduce energy costs by incorporating more natural daylight.
With shifting government regulations and building codes, it can seem overwhelming to "go green" in commercial spaces these days. However, we know that installing commercial skylights reduces the amount of energy a building consumes for both electric lighting and HVAC in many climates. By reducing energy costs, a building can achieve both immediate and long-term savings.
VELUX Commercial utilizes cutting-edge technology that uses the sun as a key part of a building's lighting strategy. With a design team that focuses on passive solar building design, daylighting solutions are carefully calculated to optimize energy expenditures by considering the total number, material structure, and placement of skylights to maximize skylight performance and energy efficiency.
4. Cutting-Edge Materials
Placement and design are vital to energy savings and sustainability efforts, but so are the actual materials used within any daylighting structure. VELUX Commercial has incorporated advanced glazing technologies and thermal insulation to provide superior aesthetics with unbeatable performance.
Not only glass and acrylic but also new skylight glazing and structural components have improved the impact resistance and UV performance in commercial daylighting structures. Using multiwall polycarbonate panels instead of standard glass or acrylic provides superior strength and UV protection (without discoloration or unsightly yellowing) while delivering industry-leading thermal performance.
To achieve best-in-class insulation, VELUX skylights for commercial use have utilized aerogel technology. Lumira® Aerogel is an eco-friendly insulation that repels water, retains its properties under compression, reduces sound and vibration transmission, and provides beautifully diffused daylight for use in a variety of daylighting applications. This revolutionary material improves light quality and design flexibility without compromising aesthetics or design.
5. Advanced Glazing
How about skylights that change with the flip of a switch? Sound too good to be true or like something out of a science fiction novel? VELUX Commercial offers Electrochromic Glass (or smart glass) that electronically tints the glass, switching from clear to dark with the click of a button. What's even better? This is just one example of VELUX Commercial's advanced glazing technologies that can even be programmed to respond to changing sunlight and heat conditions for complete climate control year-round.
Explore Daylighting Solutions for Your Projects
By incorporating innovations in daylighting design, the built environment can become more sustainable through technology and automation for a healthier, happier place to learn, work, and recover. VELUX Commercial is deeply committed to providing superior daylighting solutions that offer more features and functionalities to truly bring light to life. To learn more about our entire commercial product portfolio, view our online brochure.
For more specific information, including sizing, technical data, and project quotes, contact our team or find a local commercial rep using our online directory. We are available to offer support from early in the design process through installation.
