SFS Projects and Best Practices

The Holiday Neighborhood > Energy & Lighting

Energy

The Final Energy Report for the Holiday Neighborhood (from Jim Logan Architects) documents the analysis of energy efficiency measures using Version 1.3 of the "Energy-10 (E10)" software, relative to cost effectiveness.

Two townhouses (an internal unit and an end unit) from the Wild Sage Cohousing block of the Holiday Neighborhood were modeled. The results are intended for distribution to developers, contractors, architects, and the public, as well as the Holiday development team.

There are also several companion documents:

An Air Quality Report prepared by Bob Duprey (SFS)
A lighting guideline supplied by Clanton & Associates
A water quality report prepared by Wenk Associates
A video produced by David Wann

These reports will be compiled with additional research by the Sustainable Futures Society.

Lighting

According to the Department of Energy (Energy Efficiency with Lighting), the energy used for lighting accounts for 5% - 10% of the energy consumed in an average household. Addressing several design issues can dramatically reduce this energy use for the homeowner. Additionally, energy efficiency can have an environmental impact beyond just the meter of one home. As the Rocky Mountain Institute states, “For the average 33-percent-efficient coal-fired power plant, saving a unit of electricity in a building saves three units of fuel at the power plant.” (RMI Solutions Newsletter, Volume XVIII #3/Fall 2002, page 7)

The most important step in reducing lighting energy use is to maximize the daylight potential. Orienting the house such that the majority of windows are facing north or south, selecting high performance glazing or glass, controlling glare and heat gain, and trying to daylight the majority of rooms in the house, increases the available daylight. When the home is daylighted, the electric lighting can be turned off during the day.

Secondly, minimize the dependence on table lamps and other types of plug in lighting that could use incandescent light sources. Hardwired, energy efficient lighting, installed at the time of construction, insures that the efficiency benefits will continue through the life of the house.

Current residential designs often utilize downlight cans throughout homes. This practice produces downward cast lights that are bright and cast harsh shadows on people’s faces. Instead of downlights, install lighting equipment that indirectly lights the ceiling or adds accent lighting on the walls. This type of architectural lighting will create the most visually comfortable spaces.

Lamps (known as light bulbs) have evolved greatly over the last few years. Fluorescent lamps now “mimic” incandescent lamps in color, quiet operation and dimming capabilities. The advantage of fluorescents is their low energy consumption and very long life.

Dimming not only creates “moods” but also saves a lot of energy. In addition, occupancy sensors, especially in transitional areas, keep the lights off when no one is in the area.

This document will address all of these topics in greater depth, including specific examples of how to light each area in a home:

Maximize daylight with good orientation
Reduce dependency on table lamps by installing permanent lighting that illuminates surfaces
Use fluorescent lamps that are designed for residential applications
Dim lights when possible, and use occupancy sensors to turn off lights

Download the
Final Energy Report
for the Holiday
Neighborhood
(PDF - 703 Kb)

Download the
"Wild Sage Building
Energy Use
Calculations"
(XLS - 25 Kb)

Download the
Holiday Neighborhood's
Residential Lighting
Guidelines
(PDF - 975 Kb)