If you’re hoping to gain the benefit of solar heating from your skylight, keep in mind that the earth’s orientation and the location of your home will play a big part in installation and heating efficiency. Skylights are a good source of supplemental heat, especially in moderate or warm climates. However, homes in cold northern climates like Des Plaines and Palatine Illinois that struggle to keep warm in the winter won’t receive the same heating benefits, but they can still be installed for maximum solar efficiency according to Peter.
Installing a skylight requires cutting a hole in the roof. In the coldest seasons, a northern winter home with a skylight will experience more energy loss than heat gain from the skylight. This energy loss can be offset with insulation and energy-efficient glazing, but the added passive heat from a traditional skylight won’t reduce your winter bills if you live in ski country. Any window will add energy loss, but since skylights add dramatic benefits to your home, this alone should not be a consideration to avoid installing a skylight. Installing your northern home’s skylight at an angle to provide the most heat will build on its heating efficiency.
If you live in a moderate or warm area in the northern hemisphere, skylights for solar heating can certainly help your winter heating bill but they must be aligned to transfer the heat based on the earth’s seasonal positioning. According to Window Repair To get the most heat out of a winter sun, a skylight should be installed oriented south, or within twenty degrees east or west of true south. It must also be tilted toward the south, traditionally at an angle of the earth’s latitude plus fifteen degrees. Most roofs are steep enough to accommodate these angles, but if you have a flat or customized roof, prepare yourself for some extra installation requirements if you want maximum heat gain from a winter sun.
The glaze on your skylight has significant influence on your home’s intake of solar heating. A clear glaze maximizes light and heat, but a translucent glaze reduces direct heat from the sun. However, a clear glaze also brings in a stronger glare than a translucent glaze. Any tinted glaze will significantly cut down on light and solar heat and is not recommended if you’re looking to partner with the sun to keep your winter thermostat down. Skylights can easily accommodate shades to cut down on summer heat.
Skylights for solar heating have many special requirements that aren’t considerations for decorative installations. However, positioning and glazing your decorative skylight for passive solar heating will maximize your skylight’s heating efficiency.