Wednesday 6 June 2012

Reduce Energy Costs

Reduce Energy Costs And Go Green With Skylight Windows


If you want to protect the natural resources and cut down on your energy consumption, you may consider installing skylight windows. Yes, there are several evident ways for saving money on your energy usage – you may turn off unnecessary lights as well as maintain your heating and cooling systems. But it has been noticed that using natural lights you can easily improve your home’s looks, lighting, and energy efficiency significantly. And skylights are the best option in this context.
Skylight windowsnot only add a touch of lavishness to your home, but they also enhance the visual appeal of a property. Enjoy the splendor of the summer sky, the stars and the moon, the hue of sunset just sitting in your room. Let’s take a look at some of the other advantages of skylights.
Skylights allow the homeowners to make use of attic or roof space. Since they are completely weatherproof, you can consider installing them into new or existing homes. On hot days skylights allow the hot air inside the room to ventilate to the outside. This makes the room cooler without even spending bucks on air conditioning.
It is said that skylights provide up to five times more light into the home as compared to traditional windows. But before you purchase skylight, it is recommended to go for models that have been recognized by the federal Energy Star program. The design of your home and the climate in the region must also be considered beforehand. Don’t forget, proper professional installation is mandatory for the best result.
Typically, skylights are of three basic types. Ventilating skylights are usually installed in kitchens and bathrooms. These skylights could be opened by a hand crank; it allows better ventilation and delivers passive cooling. On the other hand, a fixed skylight provides an abundance of natural light. As a result, the amount of electricity required for illumination could be reduced. The last one is the tubular skylight. These skylights are usually 10 to 14 inches in diameter. All these three types of skylights are destined to improve ventilation and prop up fresher, healthier air indoors.
The position of the skylight is also another important matter to be considered at the time of installing skylight. Typically, a skylight on a roof that faces north provides constant illumination and cool temperatures. If the skylight is east facing, it allows you maximum light and solar heat. West facing skylights let in plenty of sunlight and heat in the afternoons. A skylight on a roof facing south allows the optimum passive solar heat. This is ideal for winter conditions. So, according to your requirement and decor of the room, you should select skylight windows.
From the discussion, it is quite clear that skylights are a great energy saver and beauty enhancer for your home exterior. So, if you are building a new home or thinking of remodeling your existing home, you may think of installing skylights or skylight windows.