How To Choose Energy Efficient Skylights

By Amanda Baird


It may seem strange but it is possible to improve the look of your home and save money. The reason is that by using energy efficient skylights you can reduce the amount of energy needed in the home. This in turn means less money spend heating your home in winter and keeping it cool in the summer.

In simple terms this involves placing a hole in your roof to let in light. Whereas in previous years this could have simply been something you opened and then shut at night people tend to use glass or plastic glazing so that they get the benefits of the light without the risk of potentially letting in the rain!

Another reason is it can prevent condensation. The glass or plastic glazing used can redirect moisture away from the home. The reason this is important is that this helps to prevent condensation. Condensation occurs where heat meets cool surfaces. As well as lost energy this can also result in the growth of mould and mildew so this is best avoided.

A skylight can also be useful in reducing condensation. Condensation occurs when the heat of warm air hits a cold surface. The resulting condensation not only results in more lost energy but also increases the risk of mould and mildew growing in the home. Aside from not being very attractive if not properly removed this can result in discomfort and sickness!

Where you position the skylight will affect its efficiency and where you choose to place them will depend on how much light you want to let in, the amount of heat generated and generally what you feel looks aesthetically pleasing. Ones on east facing roofs will maximise heat in the morning while western ones are more effective in the afternoon. South facing is best for gaining heat in the winter but can make rooms extra hot in the summer. If you want to avoid excessive heat gain you can install skylights near the shade of trees in order to get the right balance.

One way to ensure efficiency is to get the right type. This depends on both the materials used and how the skylight is positioned. For example if you position them toward the East you could get more light in the morning while in the West you will get more in the afternoon. In terms of materials people tend to prefer glass to plastic but as with any material there are varying degrees of quality and it is up to you to check that they use the best quality of the material available.

There is also the issue of how much heat they can create. One positioned on a South facing roof can result in more generated heat. However the disadvantage of this is that it can get hot in the summer so you may wish to consider having plants nearby in order to get some shade to counter this and provide the right amount of heat.

With any product it is vital to check the claims of the manufacturers. This is also the case with energy efficient skylights. The website ought to provide a rating as well as details on how they can ensure their designs are efficient. Look online to compare companies and get feedback on their services to get the best option to suit your needs.




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