Buildings use a lot of energy. Because of both the climate and the cost of energy, it is interesting to ask ourselves: How do we reduce energy consumption in offices? Lower the heating in the winter and turn on the air conditioning less quickly in the summer?
This will immediately start a discussion. The temperature in the workplace, for example, is often the subject of discussion. Everyone has a colleague who is still cold with 5 layers of clothing on, while another colleague is still happily walking around in a t-shirt. Most employees prefer to see a constant and comfortable temperature. How can this need be combined with reducing energy consumption?
With the DYNKA (DYNamic light and indoor climate for ‘KAntoren’ (offices)) project, we are investigating to what extent the correct dynamic combination of LED light and temperature can reduce energy consumption in the field of heating or cooling. We also look at the influence of this on the health (alertness, sleep-wake rhythm, comfort, metabolism & temperature perception) of the employees.
Temperature of the workplace
People often strive for a constant temperature and this is adjusted at most when absent and at home during the nights. This may feel comfortable, but is this also healthy? Health and comfort do not necessarily mean the same thing. In addition, maintaining a constant temperature ensures high energy consumption. In recent years, a great deal of knowledge has been gathered about the effects of temperature on our (metabolic) health, overweight and diabetes. Research from Maastricht University shows that mild variations outside the comfort zone can greatly improve people’s health. We also know that people can adapt very well to a variation in indoor climate if they are given the opportunity to get used to it and if they can exercise control themselves (adaptive comfort).
You can achieve this through a variation of temperature throughout the day (drifting indoor temperature), for example with the help of local climate systems or local control options. A variation of temperature during the day can also contribute to reducing energy consumption. With DYNKA we have the ambition to achieve energy savings of at least 15% compared to a traditional air-conditioned office. We also want to ensure a healthy workplace. In health, we pay attention to alertness, sleep-wake rhythm, comfort, metabolism, temperature & perception.
Light as a dimension
That is why we go one step further in DYNKA: Light is added as a dimension. Light affects sleep and recovery processes at night and activity and alertness during the day. In our current society, however, the sleep-wake rhythm is no longer adapted to the natural day and night rhythm, which often leads to a decrease in the duration and quality of sleep, but also in the thermoregulation of the body. A high light intensity in the morning shows a lower body core temperature and also influences the temperature distribution of the body (Te Kulve 2017). Temperature distribution of the body, in turn, is an important factor for thermal comfort. The light color (more red compared to more blue light) also influences body temperature and comfort. The recent research shows that interactions between exposure to light and different temperatures are very relevant for metabolic health and comfort. With modern dynamic LED light in a dynamic indoor climate, the sleep-wake rhythm, visual comfort, thermal comfort and sensation, alertness, physiology, health and well-being can be favorably influenced.
DYNKA
DYNKA focuses on the question to what extent the interaction of LED light with ambient temperature will positively influence energy consumption for heating or cooling and how this can be translated into concrete installation concepts and innovative dynamic office systems.
Visit the website of this project: www.dynka.nl
The project was carried out with a subsidy from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, National Regulations for Economic Affairs subsidies, Top Sector Energy carried out by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
