In the past, skylights were considered as nice-to-have. However, currently, skylights are the present, not the future of buildings. They are a must-have for commercial buildings that want to remain competitive and promote the wellbeing of the occupants. Also, strong evidence exists to support the benefits of natural light from skylights. If you are still in doubt, there are the top five benefits of skylights in commercial buildings.
1. Reduce Energy Consumption
The US Energy Information Administration reports that lighting in the residential and commercial sector accounts for 6% of US electricity consumption. The commercial sector alone uses approximately 141 billion kWh for lighting. Fortunately, skylights can reduce the amount of energy used in lighting significantly.
Rather than relying on artificial light sources during the day, consider using skylights to offer natural light. They reduce energy consumption by eliminating the need for daytime lighting that accounts for a significant proportion of energy use in commercial buildings. By decreasing a building’s energy use, skylights also reduce its carbon footprint.
2. Greater Productivity
Research reveals that natural light –from skylights has positive effects on productivity. A study conducted by Professor Alan Hedge of Cornell University showed that optimizing natural light in a workplace enhances employees’ health and wellness, resulting in higher productivity. Also, natural light reduces headaches, eye strain, and blurred vision for workers by 84%, resulting in increased productivity.
Other ways that natural light from skylights improve workers’ productivity include mood enhancement, stimulating creativity, and enhancing sleep quality. Another research affirms that a positive correlation exists between daylight exposure and employees’ sleep, activity, and quality of life –factors that influence productivity.
3. Add Aesthetic Value
Skylights add aesthetic value to a commercial building. You get a touch of elegance and beauty in your building. Skylights can make your workplace or business premises more appealing to customers, employees, and the public. Natural light also adds the illusion of a bigger space, making your commercial building look more spacious and splendid.
4. Improve Well-being
A survey from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands revealed that too much exposure to artificial light is detrimental. It reduces muscle mass, accelerates the aging process, and weakens the immune system. Health experts contend that prolonged exposure to artificial light disrupts sleep patterns and increases vulnerability to health problems like obesity and diabetes. Also, it increases physical stress and vast levels of cortisol in the blood.
Ensuring that your commercial building has a skylight to trap plenty of natural light can help improve the health of employees and customers. In a survey of over 1,600 employees, the number one perk for an ideal workplace was access to natural light and outdoor views. With a skylight, your employees have reduced health risk of artificial lighting, improved sleep, and more vitamin D to improve their well-being.
5. Save money
Imagine the amount of money you use to put lights in hallways, pavements, stores, and other areas of your building? It must be costly when you think about the light bulbs, wiring, labor, and the resulting energy bill, isn’t it? Luckily, with skylights, you don’t have to incur the cost of lighting these areas. You use free and safe natural light. Skylights will definitely save you money!
Skylights have grown in popularity over the years. This can be attributed to improved building technology as well as their numerous benefits. Skylights reduce energy consumption, improve employee productivity and health while saving you money. Consequently, your business thrives, and profitability increases. Keep these five benefits in mind while planning your next construction project. Nevertheless, ensure you choose the right skylight installation company to harness these gains.