By allowing more daylight into your home, skylights can reduce the energy consumption used for lighting, particularly in rooms without windows.

However, you need to know about the different types of skylights and the importance of position, size and energy performance in order to maximise the benefits and minimise the negative side effects they can have, says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International real estate group.

He notes that there are three main types of skylights, the first being the ventilating skylight often used in kitchens and bathrooms. This can be opened with a hand crank to let out rising hot air or steam and so help to cool a room in the summer or prevent the formation of mould.

“The second type is the fixed skylight, which of course provides light but is unable to provide ventilation, and the third is the tubular skylight, which is most useful where additional light is required but excessive heat gain from the sun is a concern.”

As for position, he says, the experts advise that you should locate skylights on the south-facing parts of your roof if you want to reduce solar heat gain and the subsequent need for cooling, and on the north-facing parts if you need extra warmth as well as light.

“Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy recommends that skylights should only cover 5% to 15% of the floor area in a room, depending on the number of windows, and that homeowners should also choose a skylight with insulating (double-pane) glazing, a heat-absorption tint or a low-emissivity (low-e) coating to control solar heat transfer into and out of the home.”

The Canadian lifestyle and business writer Jenny Schweyer says there are four distinct advantages associated with skylights. She says that besides the obvious benefits like the natural light factor and saving on your power bills, they also contribute to preserving the environment and ultimately adding value to your home.

“Strategically-placed skylights replace the need for electric lighting, at least during the daytime. They also add heat to your home, cutting down on the amount of electric or gas heat you'll need to generate. All of this can translate into big savings, even up to 20% per year.

She says while, on the one hand, you are saving electricity, you're helping to preserve the environment at the same time. “In fact, one of the latest trends in home building is ‘green’ homes, houses built with maximising efficiency and preserving nature in mind. These green homes almost always include skylights in some manner.

“Even if you can't afford all of the latest innovations in green home technology, skylights are still relatively affordable, especially when you consider the energy cost savings they can produce.

Last but not least, they increase the overall value of your home. “You can usually count on getting back any money you invest in installing skylights in the way of increased home value. Skylights have modern appeal, both for their energy-efficiency and for the beauty that they add to a home.”

However, poorly constructed or installed skylights could lead to problems with leakages while “single-paned skylights may weep with condensation”, according to the online encyclopaedia wikipedia. – Eugene Brink

Additional sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page .; www.articlesbase.com.

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