The Top 5 Environmental Benefits of a Skylight

When you think about skylights, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the beautiful natural light they let shine into your home. But skylights offer more than just aesthetics; they also support a greener, more energy-efficient lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking to lower your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, or create a healthier living space, skylights deliver impressive eco-friendly advantages. We’ll break down the top five environmental benefits of a skylight and why installing one (or a few!) could be smart. 

5 Best Benefits of a Skylight in Your Home

1. Reduce Energy Use With Natural Light

One of the most significant benefits of a skylight in your home is how much natural light it brings in. More daylight means less need for lamps and overhead lights, helping you minimize electricity use, lower energy bills, and shrink your carbon footprint.

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing ENERGY STAR® certified skylights can reduce energy bills by an average of up to 13% on heating and cooling costs nationwide

Modern skylight designs offer plenty of flexibility. If you don’t have space for a full-sized skylight, smaller options like the Velux Sun Tunnel® Skylight make it easy to brighten closets, hallways, bathrooms, and other hard-to-reach spaces.

No matter the size of your home, there’s a skylight solution that can help you bring in more natural light and make a positive impact on the environment.

2. Lower Heating and Cooling Demands

Another benefit of a skylight is its ability to help naturally regulate your house’s temperature. In cooler months, an energy-efficient skylight can allow passive solar heat to warm your living space, reducing the need to run your furnace.

In warmer months, venting skylights can release hot air that rises to the ceiling, helping you keep your home cooler without overworking your air conditioner.

Here are a few tips to maximize your skylight’s energy efficiency:

• Choose a skylight with the ENERGY STAR® label to ensure it meets energy efficiency standards.
• Work with a professional installer to ensure proper flashing, sealing, and placement.
• Consider glazing options like low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings to further improve insulation.

It’s a common myth that skylights automatically cause energy loss. With modern designs and expert installation, the opposite is true. A properly installed, high-quality skylight can help your environment stay comfortable year-round while reducing energy use.

3. Improve Indoor Air Quality With Venting Options

Skylights don’t just let light in; some are designed to allow stale air out. Venting skylights can open to release warm, humid, or stuffy air naturally rising to the ceiling, improving your home’s overall air circulation.

Better ventilation in your house means:

• Less reliance on air conditioning to keep your home cool.
• Reduced indoor pollutants, allergens, and moisture buildup.
• Healthier air quality, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-humidity areas.

4. Support Mental and Physical Health

Natural light can also boost your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. Studies have shown that increased exposure to daylight can even improve sleep quality by helping regulate your circadian rhythm. As a result, you’ll experience boosted productivity, focus, and creativity. Natural sunlight can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Skylights create a healthier indoor environment by filling your home with more natural light, which supports mental and physical health. When people feel better, they tend to live more sustainably, making choices that benefit their homes, communities, and the planet.

5. Sustainable Materials and Long-Term Efficiency

Modern skylights are designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing advanced materials and technologies that enhance both environmental performance and durability.

Key features of sustainable skylights include:

• Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass: This specialized glass coating minimizes heat transfer, helping to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It also blocks up to 95% of harmful UV rays, protecting your furnishings from fading.
• Argon Gas Fill: Many skylights feature dual-pane glass filled with argon gas, which provides superior insulation compared to air and reduces energy loss.
• Durable Construction: High-quality skylights are built to withstand the elements, often featuring laminated glass that resists impact and reduces noise, ensuring longevity and safety.

Homeowners can enjoy long-term energy savings and contribute to a healthier environment by choosing skylights with these sustainable features.

Bring the Benefits of Skylights to Life With Werner Roofing

At Werner Roofing, we’re proud to be the only certified installer of Velux Skylights along the West Michigan lakeshore. That means when you work with us, you get the best of the best — both in products and installation expertise.

Why Velux Skylights?

• ENERGY STAR® certified: Most Velux models meet or exceed ENERGY STAR® requirements for energy efficiency.
• Sustainable design: Velux is committed to using responsibly sourced materials and manufacturing processes that reduce environmental impact.
• Variety of options: From traditional skylights to innovative solutions like the Velux Sun Tunnel® Skylight, there’s a model for every space and style.

When installed by our experienced team, Velux skylights deliver all the environmental benefits you want. Are you ready to bring more natural light and energy savings into your home?

It’s Time To Enjoy the Benefits of a Skylight in Your Home

Skylights do more than brighten your home — they help create a more energy-efficient, sustainable space for you and your family. From reducing electricity use to improving air quality and boosting your wellbeing, the environmental benefits of a skylight are hard to beat.

If you’re ready to make your home brighter, greener, and more beautiful, the team at Werner Roofing is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about Velux skylight options or to schedule your free consultation!