productivity by even asmall amountare thus highly cost-effective.While thereis
little hard data that shows a direct relationship between energy-efficient daylighting
designsandproductivity, thereisanecdotal evidencethatviewsoftheoutdoors,
connectionstotheoutside,andaglare-freeandthermallycomfortableenviron-
ment all contribute to a more satisfied worker--who is likely to be more productive
than an unhappy, uncomfortable worker.

We evaluatedtheoccupants'acceptanceandsatisfactionoftheirworkenviron-
ment in a limited full-scale test with the automated blind|lighting system.A small
number ofoccupants performeda limitedset ofvisual tasks.These occupants re-
portedthat theyweregenerallysatisfiedwith theperformance oftheautomated
system.Although their satisfaction increasedwhen they were given more control
overthesystem,theyalsoreportedmoredissatisfactionwithspecificproblems
withglare.Theyalso indicatedadesireforlightinglevelsabovethosetypically
provided(500 lux).

The incremental costof the automatedvenetian blind/lighting systemshouldbe
approximately $3-5/ft²-glazingfor the motor,computer chip,powersource,sen-
sors, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.Considering energy and peak
demandsavingsalone,weestimate that thetechnology hasasimple payback of
about ten years for the Los Angelesclimate (at $0.09/kWh).An assigned value for
qualitative benefitswouldmake thissystemmore economical.Few technologies
have such an immediate impacton the quality ofthe inhabitedenvironmentand
thecomfortofitsoccupants.Asidefromenergy-efficientqualities,windowand
lighting technologies can change the mood of the interior, the comfort of occupants
sittingbesideit,andthecharacterofthebuilding.Demonstratingvalueforthe
amenity these systems deliver couldincrease marketviability.Asan example,the
marketgrowth popularity of low-Ewindow glazing may have been partly due to
itsimprovementinthermal comfort, notsimply to its increasedenergy-efficiency.
Correlating increases in workersatisfaction andproductivity would buildan even
stronger economicargumentbut will require asignificantR&D investment.