Why Daylighting Is Better Than Artificial Lighting

Daylighting, or the practice of illuminating indoor spaces using natural light, is achieved with the right combination of window style and placement. In addition to helping make your interior spaces look larger and more inviting, daylighting offers several benefits that make it a better option than artificial lighting.

Here are some of daylighting’s benefits and why you should consider it when you decide to replace your windows.

Health Benefits

Daylighting, and how it can benefit your health, has been the subject of several recent studies. One of these studies, published in a 1984 issue of Science magazine, found that post-surgery patients placed in daylit recovery rooms are found to recover about 8.5% faster and required fewer analgesics compared to those placed in rooms that only had a brick wall for a view. A 1999 study conducted by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, supplemented by a 2002 follow-up study published in the official Illuminating Engineering Society journal, showed a high correlation between high test scores and daylit classrooms.

In addition, several studies have produced conclusive evidence on how daylighting helps regulate human body clocks. According to these studies, people who worked in windowless offices (or other workplaces where access to viewing daytime-nighttime cycles isn’t available) tend to have disrupted sleep cycles, which leads to fatigue and chronic sleep debt. Living in daylit environments can help you avoid these health problems.

Reduced Energy Use

Reliance on electricity for daytime lighting may take up a significant portion of your energy consumption, which adds up when you consider your annual expenses. The Energy Information Administration estimates up to 30% of an average home’s energy consumption is spent on electronics and lighting. By choosing double hung windows or other window styles optimized for daylighting, such as replacement windows, you can save on your energy bill.

Choosing the Right Windows

The road to daylighting starts with your choice of replacement windows. These coatings block harmful UV and infrared rays while letting natural light through like clear glass, and lets you enjoy the benefits of daylighting without worrying about your indoor spaces heating up or your fabrics and furniture fading from the sunlight.

Dreamstyle Remodeling offers replacement windows and patio doors. To know more about our replacement window options, including popular styles like casement windows, call us today at (877) 721-1590 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free in-home consultation. We serve Albuquerque and nearby areas in New Mexico.