Improving performance through control

In the UK automated solar shading and façade management is wholly relevant to the demands of Part L of The Building Regulations and the implementation of energy efficiency measures. However, it is an often overlooked discipline but one which is set to grow.

In general, consideration of shading, whether automated or manual, is left as an afterthought, meaning the developer can incur additional costs and potentially shading will not be as effective as it could be. There is an increasing need to educate developers and design teams about the benefits of automated solutions and the importance of considering solar shading and the control package early in the design phase along with the implications of poorly designed systems. If shades and windows are not automated or effectively controlled ultimately they become inadequate because human intervention is required to raise and lower, open or close on a 24 hour basis. Automatically controlled systems remove the need for human intervention ensuring façade applications are controlled during night and day in accordance with internal and external climate conditions taking account of daylight levels, sun position, temperature, occupancy, time of day and so on.

Effective control of shades and blinds in conjunction with heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems in a building is essential to provide a productive, comfortable and safe working environment for occupants. Façade management systems play a vital role in the prevention of energy waste and reducing the environmental impact of a building by significantly reducing the need for additional cooling and heating if an effective control strategy is considered and applied.