As the days get longer and the temperatures start to climb, we all look for ways to keep our homes cool and comfortable. Before you crank up the air conditioning, what if we told you there’s a way to enhance your home’s airflow, reduce cooling costs, and fill your space with beautiful, natural light? It’s time to look up...to venting skylights. 

Beat the Heat with a Breath of Fresh Air

Have you ever noticed how the upper floors of your home get stuffy and warm in the summer? That’s because hot air naturally rises and gets trapped at the ceiling. While an air conditioner can cool this air, it uses a lot of energy. Venting skylights offer a smarter, more natural solution. 

By opening venting skylights — what VELUX calls our Fresh Air Skylights — along with windows on lower levels, you can create a natural airflow pattern known as the “chimney effect” or “stack effect.” The warm, stale air that has risen to your ceiling is pushed out through the open skylights, while cooler, fresh air is drawn in through the windows below. This process naturally ventilates your entire home, improving indoor air quality and reducing the need for costly air conditioning. 

What are the Benefits of Adding a Skylight to a Home? 

Beyond natural cooling, adding skylights to your home brings a host of benefits that enhance daily life. 

• Improved Indoor Air Quality: We spend about 90% of our time indoors, where air can be up to five times more polluted than outside air. Venting skylights help expel indoor pollutants from cooking, cleaning, and pets, creating a healthier living environment.
• Abundant Natural Light: Skylights can provide twice as much light as vertical windows. This not only makes your home feel more open and inviting but has been shown to boost mood and productivity. Plus, more free light from the sun means less reliance on artificial lighting and a lower electric bill.
• Enhanced Privacy: In areas like bathrooms and bedrooms, skylights are a perfect solution for bringing in daylight without compromising privacy. Since they are positioned on the roof, you can enjoy all the light you want without worrying about prying eyes.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Skylights add a unique design element, transforming a room from the top down. They provide dynamic, balanced light that makes paint colors appear truer and can visually expand the feel of your space. 

Best Skylight Brands for Energy Efficiency? 

When choosing a skylight, energy efficiency is a key factor, especially for keeping your home comfortable year-round. For over 80 years, VELUX has been a pioneer in creating high-quality, energy-efficient daylighting products. Many VELUX residential products are ENERGY STAR^® certified, meaning they meet strict energy performance standards set by the EPA.  

Here’s what makes VELUX a top choice for energy efficiency: 

• Advanced Glass: VELUX skylights feature double-paned, argon-filled glass with a LoE coating that helps control heat. This keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
• Solar Skylight Shades: The VELUX Skylight System comes with a pre-installed, solar-powered, room-darkening shade. Our most energy-efficient shade, it provides total light control and can boost the skylight’s energy efficiency by up to 46% by blocking heat gain during hot summer days. 
• Smart Climate Control: When used strategically, the included solar shade allows homeowners to manage indoor temperatures, blocking heat in the summer and retaining it in the winter. It’s all easily managed with a pre-paired remote control for ultimate convenience. Or opt for VELUX ACTIVE, which allows you to automate your venting skylights and shades based on your climate control preferences. 

Options for Every Home

VELUX offers a range of skylight systems designed to bring fresh air and natural light into any space. 

• Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight Systems: These are the ultimate in convenience. An integrated solar panel powers the skylight’s operator, so no electrical wiring is needed. A built-in rain sensor automatically closes the skylight at the first sign of bad weather, giving you peace of mind.
• Electric Fresh Air Skylight Systems: Perfect for rooms where you want the ease of remote control operation, these skylights connect to your home’s power and also feature a rain sensor.
• Manual Fresh Air Skylight Systems: An excellent option for rooms with ceilings within reach, these skylights open and close with a smooth-turning handle or a control rod. 

And don’t sweat it — all venting Skylight Systems have a fine mesh screen that keeps bugs and debris out while allowing ample fresh air in. 

Ready to prepare your home for summer with the power of daylight and fresh air? Talk with an expert Design & Product Advisor (for free!) to find the perfect solution for your home, or find a local installer to get started with your project!