Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers on Shine some light on LEED webinar

Does Signify provide any credits for LEED-qualified professionals for this session?

You can self-report the credits for your required learning

Visibility curve: the perception of the human eye from 100% to 80% greatly depends on the light response from the luminaire, is this right?

Perceived light from individual to individual can vary.  The color temperature, the intensity, etc. and how if any the light is dimmed can all impact the perceived light one experiences.  There are a multitude of factors that contribute (example age) in how one perceives light.  This is a topic that has many independent studies and articles that you can access to explore in more detail.

Allowing natural light through glass facade leads to more power consumption for HVAC. How much more appropriate is it to use daylight for the lighting purpose as LEDs are already on the lesser side in terms of power consumption compared to HVAC?

Designing the Daylight Opening to minimize the thermal effect of the daylight is an exercise to itself.  From there you have to perform a cost benefit analysis to determine the added value in providing LED lights and the control you can gain with daylight harvesting. Also, geographic location of building and weather pattern play a part in the equation as well.

With regards to media facade lighting, will it be considered for LPD calculations?

Most Media Façade (i.e., Times Square) falls into a more relax lighting zone. 

For in-ground up light fixtures used for facade lighting, BUG rating will not be applicable? How and where should it apply?

Bug rating is most commonly applied to Parking lot and Street lighting as well as Wall mounted fixtures.  There are exemptions given for up lighting of Flags and monuments.   In LEED the harsh flood light applications that have historically been applied to light the outside of the building is frowned upon.  Led lighting exists that can be applied to the building and graze light downward.

Many people don’t like to go with LED street light due to fog. What we can do in that case?

Streetlights today are produced in color temperature ranging from 2200K to 5000K.   The thought is that the warmer color temperatures are more applicable for areas that receive a lot of fog.  I suggest a pilot with a few color temperatures installed to determine the best color temperature for your situation.

Please share some catalogue for marker lighting.

Please visit the Signify Website for a full list of lighting choices

Is it really necessary for a building to be certified?

The answer is independently decided.  If you want to apply best practices but not apply for certification that is a great approach as well.  The certification is sought after by many building owners in order to improve their social responsibility message.

Are there any points if you use outdoor solar powered lights?

Solar would fall under Alternative Energy Sources and you can use to calculate points.

Why is LEED certification is so costly?

The USGBC will utilize the funds associated with the filing and certification to further the education of the Sustainability message.   Each building owner should evaluate the value of the certification to determine the benefit.

Can we use daylight software for free or is it paid?

There are many complimentary software programs that can run a simulation.  Others require a software Fee.  It is best to research what works best for your scenario

For facade lighting is it mandatory to control uplight?

There is some exception to uplight on Flags and Monuments.  Please reference the guidebook for the full list of exceptions

 

Any suggestions on color of lighting for LEED?

Color Temperature is not a consideration under LEED.  However, under the Well Building Standard flexibility in color temperature is considered a best practice.