Sustainable shading for commercial buildings
Correct use of blinds during the heating season can reduce energy consumption by up to 15% when applied to double glazing.
But at what point does the environmental benefit provided by the energy saved compensate for the negative environmental impact caused by the production and use of a blind? Is the life cycle of a blind truly environmentally beneficial?
Dr Deborah Andrews of London South Bank University undertook a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four blind types to determine when blinds become environmentally beneficial.
This simplified Life Cycle Assessment study modelled energy savings of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% over 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years to determine the ‘tipping point’ at which the use of blinds becomes environmentally advantageous.
Studies
The Study identified that as long as the blinds save 5% of energy, are used for at least three years and are recycled at end-of-life, the four blinds modelled were environmentally beneficial.
However, blinds are often sent to landfills when disposed of, which has a greater negative environmental impact. In this case, either more energy would need to be saved by the blinds (at least 10%), or they would need to be installed for at least 5 years. Both of these scenarios are likely given that blinds have been shown to save up to 15%, and most residents, occupants, consumers redecorate their homes approximately every five years plus.
Life Cycle Assessments are complex models that require a variety of input and assumptions to be made. The overall outcome of this study is that typical shading products are environmentally beneficial as long as they are installed and operated for a minimum of five years and are used correctly to conserve the optimum amount of heating energy.
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