Note: This is one of a series of posts about Technical Project Management Services offered by Draper. Click here to read the introduction to this series, including information on the full TPMS program.

Anyone who has spent much time in office buildings or other spaces with lots of windows has probably experienced heat and glare issues caused by the window treatments being out of position. At one point they may have been positioned correctly but as the sun has moved the shades haven’t. So, the time eventually comes when one must decide to put up with it or break off from an important task to go move the shades.

A successful shading system should enhance the comfort, energy efficiency, and productivity of indoor spaces and prevent glare. It ‘s success depends to a great extent on the control system, especially on large commercial projects. That’s why one of our most critical Technical Project Management Services is what we call Automated Glare Control (AGC).

Automated Glare Control is an intelligent system that automatically adjusts shades using a combination of sensor readings and real time sun position calculations.

As alluded to above, there are three main benefits to developing an Automated Glare Control plan and system:

• Glare Reduction: Reducing glare and direct sunlight creates a more comfortable and productive indoor environment.
• Energy Savings: A properly designed, implemented, and maintained Automated Glare Control system optimizes natural light and can reduce the need for artificial lighting and HVAC systems. Not only can this lead to reduced utility costs, it also lessens a building’s environmental impact.
• Improved Productivity: Reduced glare, improved thermal comfort, and consistent lighting levels all help improve concentration and work productivity.

An Automated Glare Control system is adaptive. It combines real time calculations of the sun’s position with brightness sensor readings to adapt to changing lighting conditions. However, it also retains flexibility for individual needs. Users can override the automated system and manually control shades when necessary.

Each Automated Glare Control plan is unique to a specific project. A Technical Project Services team member assesses the shading system’s goals then develops and implements a plan to meet those goals. They work with CAD contractors to create any drawings needed for the user interface. Finally, the team member will program and commission the system to verify it meets project requirements.

To find out more about Automated Glare Control, and other aspects of our Technical Project Management Services, visit the “Commissioning” link in the Pro Portal Pro toolbox. You can also reach out to your Draper representative.