How Skylights Can Help Your Home Save Energy

Skylights are some of the most energy-saving types of windows available. In addition to being an aesthetic improvement to your home, skylights add a wash of natural light to your living areas, reduce the need for artificial lighting, and increase privacy. Most VELUX Skylights are ENERGY STAR certified, helping you save money on electrical lighting.

Here at Full Service Roofing & Remodeling, our professional roofers install VELUX skylights into homes all over the Quincy, IL region. Here are some of the energy-saving benefits of skylights.

Skylight Design Considerations for Saving Energy

Not all skylights are created equally. Before selecting a skylight for your home, determine which type of skylight will work best and where to place it, in order to optimize its contribution to your home’s daylight and ventilation. First, you should understand that ENERGY STAR® has established minimum energy performance rating criteria by climate, based on more detailed ratings from the National Fenestration Rating Council. Look for these ratings when you’re purchasing skylights.

Size

The physical size of the skylight greatly affects the illumination level and temperature of the space below. A general rule is that the skylight size should never be more than 5 percent of the floor area in rooms with many windows and no more than 15 percent of the room’s total floor area for spaces with few windows.

Position

If you want to maximize daylight and energy-efficiency, it’s important to consider the position of the skylight. Skylights on a roof that faces north provide fairly constant but cool illumination, while those on east-facing roofs provide maximum light and solar heat gain in the morning. South-facing skylights provide the best winter passive solar heat gain in the winter, but often allow unwanted heat gain in the summer. Finally, west-facing skylights provide afternoon sunlight and heat gain.

Slope

Angled skylights tend to deflect summer heat. The sharper the angle of your skylight, the more effectively it will deter solar heat gain inside your home. On the other hand, a low sloped or flat skylight captures more sunlight and heat in the summer months, making the room more uncomfortable. To find the ideal angle for your skylight, add 5 to 15 degrees to your home’s geographical latitude. Here in Quincy, we’re at about 40 degrees north, so the ideal slope would be from 45 to 55 degrees.

VELUX Skylights

We exclusively sell VELUX Skylights at Full Service Roofing & Remodeling. The installation of VELUX Skylights can help your home moderate changing temperatures with seasonal automation. In warm temperatures, open skylights keep your home cool by bringing in fresh air and keeping out the heat. When it’s cold, closed skylights and open blinds add the warmth of natural daylight while preventing heat from escaping.

VELUX Skylights are ENERGY STAR certified and many models include an Intelligent Touch Remote Control, which helps you save on electrical lighting. You can program your skylights to optimize sunlight in every season, helping you to save on your electric bills.

Quincy, IL Skylight Installation

If you’re looking for an easy way to save on your energy bill, consider getting VELUX Skylights installed by the professionals at Full Service Roofing & Remodeling. Our team offers new skylight installation, skylight repairs, and replacements.

To learn more about our skylights and schedule a free consultation, contact us at 217-885-2440.