Butler Manufacturing, a manufacturer and builder of metal buildings for self-storage and other industries, has introduced RetroLite, a daylighting system that can be used in existing buildings to minimize lighting-related electricity costs, according to a company press release. A building equipped with a RetroLite system and lighting controls can reduce lighting-related electricity expenses by up to 70 percent, the release stated.
“Ninety percent of the total cost of a building occurs during occupancy. The RetroLite daylighting system opens the door for owners of existing buildings to take better control of their operating budgets,” said Justin Willett, energy consultant. “As utility costs continue to rise and energy codes become more stringent, the RetroLite daylighting system provides opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and achieve code compliance.”
RetroLite, designed to replace the company’s Lite*Panl panel system, is available for retrofit applications on the company’s MR-24 or CMR-24 roof systems. According to the company, product benefits include the ability to:
- Add weather-tight protection. The company’s testing shows the product is effective at preventing water penetration.
- Harness the power of prismatics. RetroLite provides 100 percent diffused light without glares or hot spots, even in overcast conditions. Its acrylic-dome design pulls in more light earlier and later in the day, with a visible light transmittance value of 0.68.
- Simplify installation. The diverter of the system can be tied into the splice of a Lite*Panl panel system. In addition, the design reduces the number of fasteners required, which decreases the field labor needed for installation.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Butler Manufacturing is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America. The company designs, manufactures and markets metal-building systems for commercial construction, including self-storage. Its systems are marketed through a network of more than 1,400 full-service contractors with local trade areas.
