Control
Solar Cooling Loads
In
Santa Monica, electric lighting and mechanical air-conditioning
for cooling are the largest energy consumers in commercial
buildings with high internal loads. Where site conditions
permit, landscaping or other shade structures to reduce
the amount of sun on the building is the most effective
method of solar control.
Peak
solar cooling loads are greatest through southwest-
and west-facing windows and walls; solar loads from
windows and walls facing other directions are smaller
and easier to control. It is important to evaluate the
shading opportunities of existing and future buildings
on neighboring lots.
Where
site conditions permit:
- Locate
the building toward the southwest, south, or west
sides of the site to provide shade for lower floors
from neighboring buildings.
- Orient
the building with the short wall facing west or southwest
for the least solar gain in the summer.
- Place
service cores or opaque stairwells at the southwest
or west ends to buffer interior spaces from afternoon
solar gain.
Cautions
- Optimal
location and orientation are difficult on many Santa
Monica sites because of lot shape, size, the location
of other buildings and orientation of the street grid.
- Shading
the building for less solar heat gain must be weighed
against potential benefits of using controlled sunlighting
with light shelves, natural ventilation and solar
energy collection. visual comfort.
