THE INCREASE ON THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CLASSROOM WITH LIGHT SHELF : A CASE STUDY OF FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES PHRANAKHON RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the effect of the characteristics of light shelf on the reduction of the energy utilization of artificial light in the classroom. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Phranakhon Rajabhat University was used as a case study. The building was ages between 40-60 years and it is worth preserving traditional architectural styles. The study investigated a 8.00x9.00x3.50 m classroom with an opening on south-east side. A total of 16 light shelves were studied in terms of amount of daylight by using computer simulation DIALux 4.13. The recommended illuminance level for the classroom used in this study is 500 lux. The result shown that the best solution of light shelf for the reduction of artificial lighting energy consumption was option (G)-9 (a glass window with exterior member of 30o inclined from horizontal
and without inside member). This option can create only energy consumption of artificial lighting 130.30 kilo-watt hour per year and electricity cost of 686.37 baths as well as energy reduction from the original building up to 75.87%.