Engineering Commons^™

Daylight Dimming Systems: Studies In Energy Savings And Efficiency, Florida Solar Energy Center, Lynn Schrum

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Three studies were conducted at Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to study the lighting energy savings of daylight dimming systems. The Daylighting Test Facility (DTF) was used to study daylight dimming systems and how aperture orientation and blinds affect performance. The energy consumption was compared in two pairs of offices for all four window orientations: north, south, east and west. One office in each pair had blinds in a fixed position (down and open) and the other office had no blinds. The study showed that the energy savings ranged from 24% to 51% depending on the orientation and blinds.

The …

Measured Field Performance And Energy Savings Of Occupancy Sensors: Three Case Studies, Florida Solar Energy Center, David Floyd

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Occupancy sensors have the potential to significantly reduce energy use by switching off electrical loads when a normally occupied area is vacated. While occupancy sensors can be used to control a variety of load types, their most popular use has been to control lighting in commercial buildings. Manufacturers claim savings of 15% to 85%, although there is little published research to support the magnitude or timing of reductions. Energy savings and performance are directly related to the total wattage of the load being controlled, effectiveness of the previous control method, occupancy patterns within the space and proper sensor commissioning. In …

Flastar: Florida Alliance For Saving Taxes And Energy Resources. Final Report., Florida Solar Energy Center, John Sherwin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This document comprises the final project report in supporting the demonstration of the pilot Florida Public Building Loan Concept. This loan program provides low cost funds to eligible public entities for upgrade of building energy systems. The FLASTAR program (Florida Alliance for Saving Taxes And Resources) was modeled after the successful Texas LoanSTAR project [1,2]. Within that program, funds provided from oil overcharges are loaned to various facilities for building system retrofits. These loans are repaid (with interest) from energy cost savings. As of the most recent reporting, the LoanSTAR program had saved the State of Texas some $13.7 million …

Results From A Comprehensive Residential Lighting Retrofit. 09-96, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A single family residence in Miami, Florida was used as a case study to determine how residential lighting energy use could be reduced by substituting energy efficient lamps and fixtures. The three person household was chosen based both on its high utility bills and extensive use of interior lighting. A detailed audit revealed 40 lamps or bulbs on 26 controls (switches) with a total connected load of 2.5 kW.

All major energy using appliances in the home were sub-metered so that lighting and other plug loads could be differenced from the measured total power demand. Also, each of the individual …

Daylighting Dimming And Energy Savings: The Effects Of Window Orientation And Blinds, Florida Solar Energy Center, Lynn Schrum

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Daylighting Test Facility (DTF) located at Florida Solar Energy Center, was used to study daylight dimming systems and how orientation and blinds effect energy savings. To evaluate the impact of blinds on dimming savings, the energy consumption was compared in two pairs of offices for all four window orientations: north, south, east and west. One office in each pair had blinds in a fixed position (down and open) and the other office had no blinds. From September through December of 1994, data were collected on the north- and south-facing offices. The DTF was rotated 90 degrees and data were …