Benefits of Natural Lighting
Author: Lora Creswick, Daylighting Expert
Natural Light and the Elderly
As people age, falling can become a very serious health issue. One of the leading causes of falling is insufficient light in the environment. Since aging eyes require a lot more light in order to see, standard lighting often becomes inadequate lighting. Artificial light also tends to be glaring, which hurts aging eyes. When natural light is introduced into a living environment, the non-glare light can create a space with less light/shadow patterning that is often found with artificial light. It is this patterned light that can confuse the aging eye, often resulting in a stumble and fall. The National Safety Council contends that falling accidents are the leading cause of injury related death for people 75 years and older.
Quality light and a quality life seem to go hand in hand. When older people live in an environment filled with non-glare natural light, they not only negotiate the terrain more confidently, but they also tend to be less depressed, more social, less anxious, have a better appetite and even sleep better! All these factors add up to a much healthier and happier life, especially for people who are confined to an indoor environment.
Are You SAD?
Each year, millions of people worldwide suffer from a winter induced depression called SAD (seasonal affected disorder). Generally, SAD begins to appear in people between 18 to 30, but it can affect people of any age. Symptoms for this depression include: general fatigue, feelings of despair, lethargy, irritability and a craving for carbohydrate/sugar rich foods (which leads to weight gain and an even deeper depression). Treatment for SAD has traditionally been sitting in front of a light box for a prescribed period of time and/or antidepressants. Such treatments do not always fit with an active lifestyle.
Skylights have been suggested as being a viable option to light boxes for treating the symptoms of SAD. The traditional skylight brings in natural light, but they can be costly to install (often requiring complicated roof restructuring), messy (sheetrock, tape, primer, paint) and contribute to heat loss/gain throughout the year. Conversely, the Solatube is extremely easy to install (usually two hours total installation time), inexpensive and inert when it comes to heat loss/gain. Since SAD is costly in terms of lost productivity, Solatubes quickly become an economically valid solution to the lack of natural light in the home and the workplace.
Inexpensive Natural Light
Light is becoming a very important design element for homes and office buildings. Studies have shown that when people live and work in a well lit environment, they are happier, healthier and more productive. Unfortunately, bringing the light to the people is becoming a more expensive proposition as each year goes by. According to some power company studies, nearly one quarter of annual electrical use in the United States is attributed to lighting. But all is not lost! When Solatubes are integrated into the design of interior rooms and hallways, the natural light brought in through these highly reflective tubes is often the only light source required during daylight hours. The Solatube not only brings in the benefits of natural light (improved moods, increased energy levels, reduced eyestrain, true color rendering, making interior spaces appear larger) into the home or workplace, but it costs absolutely nothing to operate during daylight hours. Now that is a true energy savings!
Energy Star Rated
The Solatube company has always been sensitive to energy related issues. Since the invention of the Solatube in 1989, the R & D department has worked hard to improve their products. In May, 2004, the 10" and 14" Solatube received an Energy Star rating. Energy Star is a government-backed program helping families and businesses protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Only products who meet the stringent energy-efficient government requirements are awarded this prestigious label. Solatube has always been an ideal way to reduce energy consumption in a home or business by eliminating or reducing the need for electric lights during daylight hours. With the Energy Star rating, Solatube is now able to quantify its significant energy benefits to cost conscious consumers.
Sell That House!
Do you have a house that has been sitting on the market just a little too long? For less than $1,000 a dark and dreary house can be turned into real show stopper with the simple addition of one or two strategically placed Solatubes. Since light is becoming a real design element in home decorating, give your buyers what they want—natural light!!! And give your seller what they want—a “sold” sign on their front lawn.
Natural Light and the Elderly
As people age, falling can become a very serious health issue. One of the leading causes of falling is insufficient light in the environment. Since aging eyes require a lot more light in order to see, standard lighting often becomes inadequate lighting. Artificial light also tends to be glaring, which hurts aging eyes. When natural light is introduced into a living environment, the non-glare light can create a space with less light/shadow patterning that is often found with artificial light. It is this patterned light that can confuse the aging eye, often resulting in a stumble and fall. The National Safety Council contends that falling accidents are the leading cause of injury related death for people 75 years and older.
Quality light and a quality life seem to go hand in hand. When older people live in an environment filled with non-glare natural light, they not only negotiate the terrain more confidently, but they also tend to be less depressed, more social, less anxious, have a better appetite and even sleep better! All these factors add up to a much healthier and happier life, especially for people who are confined to an indoor environment.
Are You SAD?
Each year, millions of people worldwide suffer from a winter induced depression called SAD (seasonal affected disorder). Generally, SAD begins to appear in people between 18 to 30, but it can affect people of any age. Symptoms for this depression include: general fatigue, feelings of despair, lethargy, irritability and a craving for carbohydrate/sugar rich foods (which leads to weight gain and an even deeper depression). Treatment for SAD has traditionally been sitting in front of a light box for a prescribed period of time and/or antidepressants. Such treatments do not always fit with an active lifestyle.
Skylights have been suggested as being a viable option to light boxes for treating the symptoms of SAD. The traditional skylight brings in natural light, but they can be costly to install (often requiring complicated roof restructuring), messy (sheetrock, tape, primer, paint) and contribute to heat loss/gain throughout the year. Conversely, the Solatube is extremely easy to install (usually two hours total installation time), inexpensive and inert when it comes to heat loss/gain. Since SAD is costly in terms of lost productivity, Solatubes quickly become an economically valid solution to the lack of natural light in the home and the workplace.
Inexpensive Natural Light
Light is becoming a very important design element for homes and office buildings. Studies have shown that when people live and work in a well lit environment, they are happier, healthier and more productive. Unfortunately, bringing the light to the people is becoming a more expensive proposition as each year goes by. According to some power company studies, nearly one quarter of annual electrical use in the United States is attributed to lighting. But all is not lost! When Solatubes are integrated into the design of interior rooms and hallways, the natural light brought in through these highly reflective tubes is often the only light source required during daylight hours. The Solatube not only brings in the benefits of natural light (improved moods, increased energy levels, reduced eyestrain, true color rendering, making interior spaces appear larger) into the home or workplace, but it costs absolutely nothing to operate during daylight hours. Now that is a true energy savings!
Energy Star Rated
The Solatube company has always been sensitive to energy related issues. Since the invention of the Solatube in 1989, the R & D department has worked hard to improve their products. In May, 2004, the 10" and 14" Solatube received an Energy Star rating. Energy Star is a government-backed program helping families and businesses protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Only products who meet the stringent energy-efficient government requirements are awarded this prestigious label. Solatube has always been an ideal way to reduce energy consumption in a home or business by eliminating or reducing the need for electric lights during daylight hours. With the Energy Star rating, Solatube is now able to quantify its significant energy benefits to cost conscious consumers.
Sell That House!
Do you have a house that has been sitting on the market just a little too long? For less than $1,000 a dark and dreary house can be turned into real show stopper with the simple addition of one or two strategically placed Solatubes. Since light is becoming a real design element in home decorating, give your buyers what they want—natural light!!! And give your seller what they want—a “sold” sign on their front lawn.