Daylighting Q & A

In Honor of National Daylight Appreciation Day

June 21, 2009

What’s National Daylight Appreciation Day all about?

National Daylight Appreciation Day – June 21, 2009 – is a day dedicated to enjoying daylight and its wonderful benefits. We all notice that colors “pop” under natural light - ever been in a naturally lit store and seen the packaging? Tide boxes look like their glowing!. But did you know that daylight can also help with things such as concentration and mood? Mark the date on your calendar, and check out the Q & A below to learn why the sun is something to celebrate …

What is daylighting?

Daylighting refers to using natural light to brighten any interior space, instead of electrical lighting.

Why should I use daylighting?

Using daylight helps you save on energy bills AND reduce your carbon footprint. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program reports that daylighting can significantly cut lighting energy use for lighting building interiors, sometimes by up to 75 or 80 percent!

Why does daylight matter?

Use natural lighting indoors to help distinguish colors as you fold the laundry. (Ever been sorting clothes under fluorescent lighting and realized the next day that you paired one gray sock with a navy one?) Also, open the blinds in your office and notice your eye strain lessen and your focus strengthen as you work on the computer. Studies have even proven that children grow taller and perform better academically in daylit environments, so make sure your children’s rooms have plenty of natural light! And yes, go spend some time at the beach, having a picnic or tossing the ol’ football outside, too.

What are some other benefits of daylighting?

Daylighting is actually really good for you. It has been proven in several prominent studies that increasing daily exposure to natural light can enhance mental and physical well-being, boost concentration and energy levels and offers a variety of other unexpected perks.

How can I get the benefits of daylight on cloudy days?

Try using a Tubular Daylighting Device (TDD), such as the Solatube® Daylighting System, which captures sunlight from the rooftop, transfers it down a highly reflective tube and then delivers the maximum amount of daylight possible into any interior space. Many TDDs work even on low-light days and at dawn and dusk when sunlight may not be as strong.

Could the daylight possibly bring harmful UVA and UVB rays indoors?

Nearly 99.9% of UV rays can be filtered out with certain window, skylight and TDD products, so you won’t have to worry about carpet and furniture fading, or outrageous costs associated with excess heat loss/gain. Look for companies that carry Energy Star-rated products. Some of these products now qualify for a 30% tax credit from the U.S. government.

So what’s the downside of adding daylighting indoors?

There really isn’t one! Everyone needs a healthy dose of daylight that will not only brighten your space, but will brighten your mood. Don’t be left in the dark, and see for yourself the wonderful advantages of natural light!

What can I do to celebrate National Daylight Appreciation Day?

You can do anything under the sun! Take advantage of the extra hours in the day. (It is also Summer Solstice after all!)

Many people usually think about all the fun activities you can do outdoors in the sunshine, but what about the ways to enjoy the sun while you’re indoors, too? In appreciation of the sun, give those windows a good scrub or open the cover to your skylight for once – let the sunshine in!

This year, National Daylight Appreciation Day also happens to fall on Father’s Day. So be sure to celebrate father and “sun” on June 21!

[For media only] Who may I contact to find out more about National Daylight Appreciation Day and daylighting, in general?

For more information, daylighting images or to speak with green expert, ecoLOGICAL Anne, please contact Emily Harrison at 858.459.1234 or emily@mcraeagency.com.

National Daylight Appreciation Day is sponsored by Solatube International Inc., the worldwide leading manufacturer and marketer of Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs). The company’s flagship product, the Solatube Daylighting System, provides a revolutionary natural lighting solution for all types of residential and commercial applications For more information on the Solatube Daylighting System or other products manufactured and marketed by Solatube International, including solar-powered attic ventilation fans, please visit http://www.solatube.com.