Here’s a common theme in most households these days: ‘how can we save money?’. Unfortunately, many households miss out on one of the easiest AND most efficient cost saving solutions that’s possible in almost any home. It’s even relevant for commercial spaces too! And it all has to do with how you utilise daylight.
Energy Saving Benefits of Using Natural Light
- Daylighting minimises the amount of artificial light required, therefore reduces electricity and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) costs.
- Electrical lighting can produce a lot of heat, whereas natural lighting generates hardly any heat if it is properly controlled.
- Reduces electricity costs thanks to a decrease in the usage of artificial light sources
- To make skylights more energy efficient, manufacturers use various glazing technologies including heat-absorbing tints, insulated glazing, low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, or translucent insulation material between several glazing layers.
- An abundance of natural light can also increase property value as it’s highly sought after.
The Secret of Natural Light
By becoming less dependent on artificial light sources, you can cut down on utility costs. As a bonus, you’ll be lowering your carbon footprint. We might be biased, but an excellent solution is installing skylights! You’ll also find other practical tips below to make natural light work in your space too.
Efficient Ways to Reduce Energy Use and Save on Bills
When you can find ways to use less artificial light and utilise the sun’s energy better, you’re impacting your household in more ways than you think. Natural light brings a range of benefits from health to home aesthetics. Lowering your energy bills is just the start of the advantages!
Here are some ways to get it right.
Be Smart about Windows when Renovating or Building
Not everyone can change the design of their rooms, but if you’re planning a new construction or renovation, take a moment to consider how light can enter each room more effectively. It’s all about the number, size and positioning of the windows.
For example, buildings in the southern hemisphere can benefit from well-sized north-facing windows. Experts suggest you use them for high traffic areas like your dining room, kitchen and lounge. During winter the windows will allow lots of light and warmth into those spaces, resulting in much less energy usage.
Also plan your garden well. Don’t let trees block the sun if you can benefit from the rays adding some warmth and natural light to a room.
Fill Your Space with Beautiful Natural Daylight from Above
The value of natural light starts with making you less dependent on the electricity grid. However it goes much further because it can even impact a room’s aesthetics and your family’s health. After all, natural light has been known to affect individuals’ mental health in a positive way. This is enough motivation to not only stick to windows but add skylights too.
Skylights and VELUX Roof Windows
A valuable way to reduce costs and make your home more energy-efficient is by reducing the amount of artificial light you need to light up an interior space. The addition of daylight into your space, such as using the VELUX roof window range, enables you to do just that!
Ideally suited to sloped roofs, VELUX roof windows are available in a wide range of styles and sizes. They’re the ideal product to direct more light into the space during the daytime. At Belle Skylights, we also have a large range of skylight and glass roof products that will suit any type of roof.
Manage Heat Loss and Heat Gain
Skylights provide easy solutions for channelling more light into a room. However, you need the right skylight design for optimal results:
- You don’t want high solar heat gain, because then you’ll need a way of cooling down the interior space on very hot days.
- The design must allow for maximum light transmission.
- Skylights shouldn’t create UV radiation issues for those using the space inside.
- Any installation must be well insulated to prevent cold or hot air travelling through and affecting room temperatures negatively.
This can sound a little complicated, but most modern skylight products take these into account and consulting an expert can help too. A Belle Skylights expert can show you the value of products like our EcoLite PLUS insulated glass skylights. It has the ability to reduce UV radiation by 95%. Furthermore it also ensures low solar heat gain, so you have an all-in-one solution in one single installation.
Natural Light is the Greener Option Too!
Every homeowner wants to save on their electric and heating bills but for many Australians their carbon footprints matter as well. The good news is that using less artificial light can result in greener living! And that’s another reason why so many people are opting for skylights as a lighting option. They lead to less energy usage, reduce consumption of natural resources AND help you create a healthier environment for the people living there.
When you incorporate modern solutions like our insulated skylights into your home, everybody wins!
Start Reducing Your Energy Costs Today
If you’re looking for the quickest and easiest way to make your home more energy-efficient and live greener at the same time, talk to our experts. We can quote on exactly what your property needs.
Call 1300 168 374 and a Belle Skylights installer will advise you on the best options for your size home. And because of our aesthetically pleasing installations, saving money can now be easy and stylish!
