Environmental

Natural light is one of the key ways of saving energy. Daylighting minimizes the amount of artificial light and reduces electricity and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) costs. Electrical lighting produces a lot of heat, whereas natural lighting generates hardly any heat if it is properly controlled.  Making use of natural light can save up to 75 percent of the energy used for lighting buildings and reduce cooling costs.
In the past few years, lighting has become a focus for energy saving ideas. However, not enough effort has gone into maximization of the use of natural light either in building design or legislation.
Good daylighting solutions demand an integrated building design approach. Daylighting design should be holistic: developing solutions that are part of the main concept, while meeting visual, thermal and energy needs. We should discover how the sun shapes our experience, and apply this lesson to building design from the start.
Designing for daylighting has to be considered at the initial stages of building design. The orientation of the building and glazing relative to the sun path is the most important decision. This is followed by the design of the roof and facades, the selection of glazing systems, and daylight controls such as blinds and louvres.
As energy issues have become ever more pressing, buildings have become increasingly sophisticated in their various responses to site, climate and function – and much of this sophistication is expressed through technology.
Danpal® provides the right tools for planning the most effective light openings – by integrating appropriate products, which exploit the optimal level of energy resources – anywhere in the world, any time of day.
By using state-of-the-art software, Danpal® provides lighting and solar energy simulations. Danpal® is unique in offering simulation solutions – reflecting its 30 year heritage as a specialist in daylight architectural innovation.
Danpal® products are built into the simulation software. Architects can monitor internal heat and light levels during preliminary design by testing the diffusing and insulating capacity of various Danpal® solutions. This ensures optimal energy efficiency and visual comfort.
Danpal® simulations bring solar and energy efficiency to new levels and create flexibility in design. The simulation software enables architects to choose the perfect system design for their energy and lighting needs by "playing" with different product specification options and the structure area. Taking into account the system’s physical characteristics (light transmission, solar factor, U value, etc.), the software creates a simulation of daylight and energy consumption, then provides a map showing the natural illuminance levels throughout the building.