IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i22p7545-d1278754.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Investigation of the Efficacy of Horizontal Hollow Light Tubes for Energy Conservation in Illuminating Buildings

Author

Listed:
  • Atthakorn Thongtha

    (Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand)

  • Peeranat Laphom

    (Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand)

  • Jiraphorn Mahawan

    (Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand)

Abstract

This study investigates the properties of light transmission and distribution, examining how incident light angles impact illuminance distribution and daylight factor. Light tubes are acknowledged as promising tools to enhance lighting conditions and reduce energy consumption in building design. The study involved installing horizontal hollow light tubes, each measuring 0.5 m in length and 0.30 m in diameter, on a wooden test model. A 20-watt LED lamp was employed as the light source, and an illuminance meter recorded the values at various horizontal and elevation angles. The study’s assessment included calculating the average illuminance and daylight factor to obtain light transmission efficiency and energy-saving potential. The findings revealed that both aluminum alloy and zinc alloy tubes experienced a decrease in illuminance as incident elevation angles increased, with the most effective light transmission occurring at a horizontal angle of 90°. Notably, the aluminum alloy tube outperformed the zinc alloy tube, demonstrating more than a 15% increase in light transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the daylight factor values from both types of tubes aligned with established standards for residential and office activities, underscoring their potential as energy-efficient lighting solutions for spaces lacking natural light or with limited illumination.

Suggested Citation

  • Atthakorn Thongtha & Peeranat Laphom & Jiraphorn Mahawan, 2023. "Investigation of the Efficacy of Horizontal Hollow Light Tubes for Energy Conservation in Illuminating Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:22:p:7545-:d:1278754
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/22/7545/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/22/7545/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wong, Irene & Yang, H.X., 2012. "Introducing natural lighting into the enclosed lift lobbies of highrise buildings by remote source lighting system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 225-232.
    2. Krzysztof Skarżyński & Anna Rutkowska, 2023. "The Interplay between Parameters of Light Pollution and Energy Efficiency for Outdoor Amenity Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Li, Danny H.W. & Lam, Tony N.T. & Wong, S.L. & Tsang, Ernest K.W., 2008. "Lighting and cooling energy consumption in an open-plan office using solar film coating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(8), pages 1288-1297.
    4. Hasim Altan & Bertug Ozarisoy, 2022. "An Analysis of the Development of Modular Building Design Elements to Improve Thermal Performance of a Representative High Rise Residential Estate in the Coastline City of Famagusta, Cyprus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-50, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wang, Xiaoxiao & Liu, Xiangfeng, 2015. "Blue Star: The proposed energy efficient tall building in Chicago and vertical city strategies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 241-259.
    2. Constantinos Vassiliades & Christos Minterides & Olga-Eleni Astara & Giovanni Barone & Ioannis Vardopoulos, 2023. "Socio-Economic Barriers to Adopting Energy-Saving Bioclimatic Strategies in a Mediterranean Sustainable Real Estate Setting: A Quantitative Analysis of Resident Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Wong, S.L. & Wan, Kevin K.W. & Lam, Tony N.T., 2010. "Artificial neural networks for energy analysis of office buildings with daylighting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 551-557, February.
    4. Li, Danny H.W. & Lou, Siwei, 2018. "Review of solar irradiance and daylight illuminance modeling and sky classification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 445-453.
    5. Azis, Shazmin Shareena Ab., 2021. "Improving present-day energy savings among green building sector in Malaysia using benefit transfer approach: Cooling and lighting loads," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Jayraj Ligade & Ali Razban, 2019. "Investigation of Energy Efficient Retrofit HVAC Systems for a University: Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-12, October.
    7. Mangkuto, R.A. & Wang, S. & Meerbeek, B.W. & Aries, M.B.C. & van Loenen, E.J., 2014. "Lighting performance and electrical energy consumption of a virtual window prototype," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 261-273.
    8. Jiraphorn Mahawan & Atthakorn Thongtha, 2021. "Experimental Investigation of Illumination Performance of Hollow Light Pipe for Energy Consumption Reduction in Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-17, January.
    9. Kostic, Miomir & Djokic, Lidija, 2009. "Recommendations for energy efficient and visually acceptable street lighting," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 1565-1572.
    10. Prieto, Alejandro & Knaack, Ulrich & Klein, Tillmann & Auer, Thomas, 2017. "25 Years of cooling research in office buildings: Review for the integration of cooling strategies into the building façade (1990–2014)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 89-102.
    11. Pereira, Júlia & Rivero, Cristina Camacho & Gomes, M. Glória & Rodrigues, A. Moret & Marrero, Madelyn, 2021. "Energy, environmental and economic analysis of windows’ retrofit with solar control films: A case study in Mediterranean climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    12. Ma, Zhenjun & Wang, Shengwei, 2009. "Building energy research in Hong Kong: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(8), pages 1870-1883, October.
    13. Trifunovic, J. & Mikulovic, J. & Djurisic, Z. & Djuric, M. & Kostic, M., 2009. "Reductions in electricity consumption and power demand in case of the mass use of compact fluorescent lamps," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(9), pages 1355-1363.
    14. Lin, Terry & Goldsworthy, Mark & Chavan, Sachin & Liang, Weiguang & Maier, Chelsea & Ghannoum, Oula & Cazzonelli, Christopher I. & Tissue, David T. & Lan, Yi-Chen & Sethuvenkatraman, Subbu & Lin, Han , 2022. "A novel cover material improves cooling energy and fertigation efficiency for glasshouse eggplant production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    15. Margherita Mastellone & Silvia Ruggiero & Dimitra Papadaki & Nikolaos Barmparesos & Anastasia Fotopoulou & Annarita Ferrante & Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos, 2022. "Energy, Environmental Impact and Indoor Environmental Quality of Add-Ons in Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-29, June.
    16. Garusinghe Dewa Ayesha Udari Garusinghe & Balasooriya Arachchige Kanchana Shiromi Perera & Umesha Sasanthi Weerapperuma, 2023. "Integrating Circular Economy Principles in Modular Construction to Enhance Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-25, July.
    17. Gago, E.J. & Muneer, T. & Knez, M. & Köster, H., 2015. "Natural light controls and guides in buildings. Energy saving for electrical lighting, reduction of cooling load," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1-13.
    18. Kim, Wonuk & Jeon, Yongseok & Kim, Yongchan, 2016. "Simulation-based optimization of an integrated daylighting and HVAC system using the design of experiments method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 666-674.
    19. Bai, Yijie & He, Yurong, 2022. "Enhanced solar modulation ability of smart windows based on hydroxypropyl cellulose mixed with nonionic surfactants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 749-759.
    20. Yu, Xu & Su, Yuehong, 2015. "Daylight availability assessment and its potential energy saving estimation –A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 494-503.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:22:p:7545-:d:1278754. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.