A comparative thermal analysis of systems of the upper daylight (clerestory and daylight guidance system)

Daylight guidance systems are quite effective devices. Such systems are able to reduce the artificial lighting costs of a building and improve employees’ work conditions inside. In this paper, a comparative thermal analysis of two types of natural roof lighting systems is presented. The analysis has been performed for a roof equipped with a daylight guidance system, being a more contemporary type of lighting, as well as for a roof with clerestory, which is a more traditional and widespread type. The thermal analysis is performed by numerical method featured by two computer programs – NASTRAN and TEPL, making it possible to increase reliability of the results. The analysis shows that application of daylight guidance systems improves thermal performance of a structure and increases the value of thermal resistance of structure’s envelopes. Thus, one more benefit of applying daylight guidance systems is revealed.