BREEAM Visual comfort Daylighting

[edit] Aim and benefits

To encourage best practice in visual performance and comfort by ensuring daylighting, artificial lighting and occupant controls are considered.

Natural light has been always present in people's lives and is a source not probable to cease in the near future. However, the daylight levels humans are exposed to indoors nowadays are changing because of the diversification of buildings, social activities and a higher need of being indoors. Although it is possible to function without the presence of daylight, studies have proven that natural light is significantly important for the health of the occupants. It can affect humans psychologically and physiologically while it may also improve the mood, reduce stress levels, lower the fatigue and eyestrain. In addition, daylight can improve the performance of students and employees, while a view out of the room has been affirmed to positively affect the well being of occupants.

Daylight is also a way to minimise the electricity used for artificial lighting and can furthermore influence the heating and cooling loads. In office buildings for example, artificial lighting can account up to 45% of the total electrical load. Since daylight is the most affordable energy saving technique with the shortest payback time when compared to others, it makes it one of the easiest and cheapest energy efficient measures to implement. Therefore, to achieve the highest possible savings in assets and energy, full advantage of the natural source of light needs to be taken.

[edit] When to consider

This issue should be considered for all types of buildings as the value it gives to the occupants is very important for the health, mental wellbeing and productivity. An extra focus should be given to daylighting when it considers buildings mostly used in daytime, like office or educational buildings.

[edit] Step by step guidance

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[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance

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[edit] Tools and resources

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[edit] Tips and best practice

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[edit] Typical evidence

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[edit] Applicable Schemes

The guidelines collated in this ISD aim to support sustainable best practice in the topic described. This issue may apply in multiple BREEAM schemes covering different stages in the life of a building, different building types and different year versions. Some content may be generic but scheme nuances should also be taken into account. Refer to the comments below and related articles to this one to understand these nuances. See this document for further guidelines.

• List applicable schemes here

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--Stefani Erika Papadaki 16:45, 20 Nov 2017 (BST)