You may be doing just that without even realizing it. If your skylights aren’t from Velux, you could be practically giving away money to your utilities companies. The difference between older skylights and Velux’s Fresh Air Skylight is night and day. A Velux Skylight is an essential energy efficiency element of any green home.
The Science
It all starts with low-emissivity (Low E3) glass, a unique triple-coated glass capable of reflecting greater solar heat gain without any tinting. In fact, it outperforms tinted glass in heat reflectance as well as fade resistance for surfaces exposed to harmful solar rays. It blocks out 95% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, protecting your interior while maintaining comfortable temperatures! Let’s break it down piece by piece:
- The superior insulating capability of Low E3 glass
- Velux Skylights’ patented gasket system of double-sealed panes
- Stainless spacer bar around the edge of the insulated glass unit
- 95% argon gas between glass panes
Low E3 glass maintains an interior surface temperature between 52-60° while exterior temperatures are as low as -20°! Warm glass surfaces mean the relative humidity of indoor air can be controlled and maintained properly, making your home even more comfortable. Maintaining proper humidity levels often promotes a healthier living environment for all who live and breathe there.
The Skylight that Cleans Itself
Keep views clear with Velux Skylights’ patented Neat Glass technology. A titanium dioxide layer on the Neat Glass reacts with the sun’s UV rays, causing organic materials on the glass to decompose even on cloudy days. When it rains, the decomposed dirt no longer clings to the glass, easily rinsing away.
The Savings
The natural light that a skylight brings reduces lighting costs. A Velux Vented Skylight can help homeowners save money on air conditioning costs. Velux Skylights have only become more energy efficient, saving homeowners an average of 35% more money than they did in 1990. Energy savings are3 even greater for Velux Acrylic Bubble Skylights or skylights with Velux Blackout Blinds!
30% Federal Tax Credit on Solar Skylights
Good news for folks thinking about replacing that older fixed skylight in their home: if you upgrade to a Velux Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylight, you can do so for an average of just $100 more than a standard fixed skylight after a Federal Tax Credit.
That’s right, a solar powered replacement Velux Skylight and accessories are available with a 30% Federal Tax Credit until 2020, averaging between $330 and $480. This tax credit would cover the cost of factory installed Velux solar powered blinds, further increasing the energy efficiency of your Velux Skylight. When installing a new skylight, the Federal Tax Credit averages between $540 and $720. The cost to add a skylight can vary due to all of the different Velux Skylights sizes and prices.
How the Velux "Fresh Air" Skylight Gets its Name
Photo courtesy of Velux USA
The Velux “Fresh Air” Skylight is a venting unit, meaning it’s able to open and close just like a window. What sets it apart from your normal windows is that it can be controlled remotely via electricity or solar power. Manual options are available for those who prefer it.
On all Velux solar skylights, a rain sensor is built in to close the unit in the event of inclement weather. A solar panel captures daylight and uses it to recharge the fully concealed battery powered operating system. Whether you’re leaving for the day, getting tucked in for the night, or heading out for the weekend, leaving your skylights open won’t mean coming home to an unplanned indoor swimming pool!