Bright idea
Tubular skylights are the most efficient option for bringing diffused natural light into rooms without trapping extra heat in summer or leaking heat in winter.
Photo courtesy of Sun Pipe
Q: Our kitchen and dining room could use more natural light. We’ve been thinking about installing a skylight, but we’re wondering if that will increase our energy bills. Can you provide any advice?
A: Skylights can bring a little of the outside world indoors and make your living space more enjoyable when they are installed correctly. But they can also impact your energy bills and comfort level, so you’re taking the right steps by doing some research ahead of time.
One downside of traditional, flat-panel skylights is that they—like any other window—can add heat to your home during the summer and allow heat loss during the winter. The impact depends on a number of elements, including the skylight’s energy rating, size, placement and quality of installation.
Tubular skylights might be your best option. A small dome on the roof is connected to a flexible, reflective tube that runs through the attic to a room (or rooms) below. These systems provide a diffused natural light, and the tubes are much smaller than traditional skylight shafts.
Tubular systems are easier and less expensive to install, they experience less heat loss and they are less leak-prone. They can also fit into spaces that a traditional skylight can’t and are usually the better choice in rooms with high moisture, like bathrooms.
Both styles of skylights are available from hardware and home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot. Regardless of which style you choose, buy the best product your budget will allow, and hire an experienced installer.
Q: We’re planning extensive renovations to our home to upgrade its energy efficiency. Do you have any advice on hiring a contractor?
A: The first step is to educate yourself so you can be in control of your project. Helpful, easy-to-understand energy efficiency information is available for virtually any area of your home and any renovation project. Just be sure to use reputable sources, like energy.gov, energystar.gov or your local electric co-op.
Before you hire a contractor, talk to your local building department to find out if your project requires a permit and inspections. Avoid contractors who suggest doing the work without a permit. Unpermitted work can cause problems if you need to file an insurance claim down the road or when you get ready to sell your home.
You may decide you’d like to hire a small specialty contractor or a larger general contractor. Either way, it’s crucial to hire someone with a contractor’s license, a local business license and three types of insurance: liability, personal injury and workers’ compensation. Check references to verify the contractor has a solid history of cost control, timeliness, good communication and excellent results, including significant energy savings.
Once you have settled on a contractor, be sure to get a written contract. It should include details of the job and specifications like the R-value for insulation and the exact efficiency ratings for any heating and air conditioning units installed.
Finally, be cautious about pre-paying. Keep the upfront payment as low as possible, set benchmarks the contractor must meet to receive the next payment and make sure a reasonable amount of the payment is not due until the project is completed and you are fully satisfied.
Send questions to Energy Q&A, South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, or email energyqa@scliving.coop.