Getting Control of Comfort and Energy: The Benefits of Upgrading to Automated Shades and Advanced Lighting in Commercial Buildings

June 9, 2021

Interior lighting and window shading innovations have advanced leaps and bounds in the past two decades. Each innovation offers benefits to existing buildings, ranging from improved occupant comfort and wellbeing to significant energy savings.

Advanced lighting systems alone can improve overall lighting energy performance in a typical office by up to 40%. When packaged with window shading and advanced controls, the whole building savings can be over 20%.

Given today’s evolving work environment, it’s an ideal time to consider upgrading lighting and/or shading systems. Post-pandemic workplaces will look different. Building owners and managers who commit to making their interior spaces more attractive will be better positioned to maintain and attract new tenant leases in the years ahead.

While comfort in buildings is highly subjective, research indicates one way to increase occupant satisfaction is to give occupants more control over their space. Daylight, views to the outside, and thermal comfort all contribute to increased wellbeing, and are attributed to better productivity, fewer sick days, shorter hospital stays, higher test scores, and a multitude of other tangible benefits.

This guide provides building owners, facility managers, and interior designers reasons to consider automated window shades, advanced lighting, and network-level control upgrades to improve thermal and visual comfort, deliver occupant control, capture energy savings, and future proof their buildings. It covers the multiple benefits of combining these technologies into one retrofit package and provides tips for success in the retrofit process.

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