Summary
This article provides 11 actionable strategies to elevate your building’s BREEAM rating using solar shading. From optimizing energy efficiency and thermal comfort to enhancing occupant wellbeing and using sustainable materials, each tip offers practical advice to maximize your BREEAM credits. By integrating these strategies, you can create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly building.
Successful low-energy building design hinges on careful planning. Focus360 Energy can help.
Main Story
Okay, let’s talk about boosting your BREEAM score – because, frankly, who doesn’t want to be more sustainable? One seriously effective tool in your arsenal? Solar shading. It’s not just about looking cool, it can make a real difference across a bunch of categories.
So, here are 11 actionable ways you can use solar shading to nail that higher rating:
1. Thermal Comfort is Key
The big win here? Cutting down on solar heat gain. Think less need for air conditioning, and a more comfy indoor space. This directly boosts your score under ‘Health and Wellbeing.’
Action: Install those external blinds, screens or louvers! They’re not just decorative; they’re your first line of defense against direct sunlight and fluctuating temps.
2. Amp up Energy Performance
Less cooling demand? That means lower energy bills. Score! This will make your ‘Energy’ category look really good.
Action: Get some energy modeling done. Figuring out the optimal shading for your building’s layout and direction is a no-brainer.
3. Improve Indoor Environmental Quality
Let’s face it, nobody wants to squint at a screen all day. Effective shading controls glare and maxes out natural daylight. That helps people feel better, work better, and generally just be happier.
Action: Go for adjustable shading systems so people can fine-tune the light themselves.
4. Choose Sustainable Materials
What your shading is made of matters. Opt for robust, recyclable and eco-friendly stuff, and you’re helping out the ‘Materials’ category.
Action: Look for materials with recycled content and think about their whole lifecycle before choosing.
5. Reduce Light Pollution
Solar shading isn’t just about blocking the sun – it can also reduce light spilling out at night. That’s good for the environment, and it’ll boost your ‘Pollution’ score.
Action: Design your shading to block out artificial light at night, especially in cities.
6. Think Lifecycle Assessment
It’s not just about what you use, but it’s also about its whole story from cradle to grave. Shading solutions that have a low environmental impact from the get-go can bump up your score in ‘Management.’
Action: Evaluate the environmental footprint of your shading, from production to disposal and make smart, sustainable choices.
7. Climate-Specific Design
What works in the desert probably won’t work in the tundra, right? So tailoring your shading to your specific location and climate is crucial to BREEAM success.
Action: Check local climate data when you’re planning your shading. Consider things like sunlight intensity and wind direction. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach!
8. Get it in early
Don’t wait till the last minute! Integrate solar shading early in the design phase and it’ll fit better with the rest of the building systems. You’ll reap greater benefits that way.
Action: Get those architects and engineers on board from day one to make shading a core part of the building’s envelope. It’s a game changer!
9. User Control is Important
Give people some say over their own environment! When they can control the shading themselves, they’re happier and more comfortable.
Action: Make the shading controls easy to use and let people adjust the light and heat based on their own preferences.
10. Innovation is King
Why not try something new? Explore modern shading tech for increased performance and to earn potential BREEAM innovation credits. Hey, the future is now, isn’t it?
Action: Research innovative ideas like dynamic glazing or automated shading that reacts to changing conditions. They’re pretty darn cool!
11. Document everything
Don’t forget the paperwork! Keep solid records of your shading solution specs and performance data so you’re good to go when it’s time for the BREEAM assessment.
Action: Keep detailed notes of all material choices, energy modeling results, and the installation process. Trust me, future you will thank you for this!
By putting these eleven points into action, you can utilize solar shading to not only improve your BREEAM score but also create a greener building. And honestly, that’s a win for everyone, wouldn’t you say?
The emphasis on early integration of solar shading in the design phase is crucial. It’s fascinating how this proactive approach can maximize benefits across multiple BREEAM categories and contribute to overall building efficiency.