Skylights for lower energy use

Daylighting - The practice of letting natural light into a building to reduce energy costs

What it is all about:

Windows and skylights are used to illuminate a home or office to reduce use of light bulbs and lower overall energy consumption.

When you combined energy efficient windows with a proper design, the use of artificial lighting will be reduced during the daytime hours without needed to use more energy heating/cooling the space.

How to implement:

South facing windows are best for day light and maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the different seasons. The south facing windows will let plenty of light into he home during winter without letting in direct light in the summer. North windows are also and okay option for day light, but east and west will let in too much direct light. The east and west windows are necessary for cross ventilation however.

Does it work:

 Of course! When a building maximizes its natural light while keeping seasonal temperature change to a minimum without using energy it is always a win. If you need more plenty studies have been conducted about humans and work productivity in a naturally lit environment. Humans thrive in natural light.

Terms to be familiar with:

Tubular Daylighting Device (Tubular Skylight): Something like a compound skylight. A tubular model will use mirrors and lenses to spread light within a building.

Lighting Power Density: a means to measure the electrical lighting installed in a building with a mathematical formula.

Indirect Lighting: Lighting that is a result from reflection...like some of the light from a tubular skylight.

Building Envelope: The external boundary of a building. Walls, entrances, windows, and roofs.