Energy efficient lighting design in residential buildings and a case study

The depletion of energy resources is one of the main problems of today. Due to the high share of energy consumption and the associated costs architects have to act more sensitive to these issues. Residential building typology is a fundamental building typology in which people spent a considerable part of the day and perform various activities. Residential buildings should meet the comfort conditions while minimizing the energy requirements and benefiting from renewable energy sources; they should be designed and operated as 'energy efficient' buildings. One of the objectives of building design is 'energy efficient lighting', which can be defined as efficient use of natural light to reduce energy consumption without compromising visual comfort conditions and using renewable energy sources. The aim of the thesis is to create a rating system that can be implemented to residential buildings related with minimizing the energy consumed for lighting purposes while providing visual comfort conditions. As a result of literature screening a few Turkish sources were reached directly related to this issue. Often the subject of energy efficiency and energy-efficient lighting in homes has been observed that the work carried out separately. This study examined the subject in the energy efficient lighting special on housing typology. Topics discussed in the context of visual comfort, thermal comfort which is a result of significant changes in the conditions of natural lighting design, the effect of these changes on energy consumption and costs were excluded from this evaluation. Natural lighting systems were examined in the second part of the thesis. Windows and skylights has been referred as daylight apertures in residential buildings. Innovative daylighting systems were introduced briefly. Finally, solar control systems are summarized in this section. In the third part of the thesis artificial lighting systems were examined. This section consists of brief information on artificial light sources, luminaires and control systems. In the fourth chapter of the thesis it is addressed to the visual comfort. Both natural and artificial lighting concepts in the light of the quantity and quality of interest were described in this section. Visual comfort conditions related to the housing requirements were examined and the standard values are given. In the fifth chapter of the thesis design parameters that influence the lighting energy conservation issue were discussed. These parameters were detailed under two headings, namely natural and physical design parameters. Daylight occurred in the volume representing the daylight factor concept, the relationship between the sun and the control of energy use in the building of renewable energy were briefly described. In the sixth chapter of the thesis the sample application was carried out; it was analyzed according to visual comfort and energy efficient lighting design parameters. The data obtained in the examination results were evaluated based on the established criteria and knowledge. As a result, evaluations on visual confort conditions and efficient energy use related with lighting in residential buildings are necessary at the design stage in order to optimize the architectural project. Evaluations of the existing buildings will guide at the energy efficient retrofitting stage while providing the visual comfort conditions.