Daylighting is a relatively new concept in the realm of window placement; this theory involves examining the optimal location for a home's windows to take full advantage of natural lighting. Architecture, design, location, climate, and geography all come into play in order to determine the most beneficial positioning for each window. In addition, daylighting utilizes technological advances in window design to control the transfer of heat and light through each window in order to achieve the desired result.
The advantages to daylighting are numerous: reduced reliance on electrical lighting, decreased utility costs, and better productivity. For one, the use of daylighting to tap into the sun's light in order to effectively provide task lighting means that fewer electrical lights and lamps will need to be turned on. Although turning off one light bulb for an hour or two doesn't seem like it would have much of an impact, if you multiply that by several light bulbs and by seven days in a week and fifty-two weeks in a year, the savings in the cost of electricity will add up to a substantial sum.
The proper use of daylighting leads to a reduction in a home's monthly utility bills. Windows can be positioned for the optimal control of light and heat; this helps to minimize the use of air conditioning in the hot summer months and the use of heating during the cold wintertime.
The natural light that daylighting provides can actually contribute to an increase in human productivity. Research studies have shown that people perform better on work and school tasks when the light is from a natural source as opposed to artificial lighting.
In addition to the proper placement of each window in a home, daylighting also taps into modern window technology. Special glazes help to block out glare and to control the amount of heat that transfers through the window, and multiple panes provide extra insulation that keeps the interior cooler in the summer and warmer during the winter months. In addition, high-tech advances in electrically-enhanced windows mean that homeowners can adjust the amount of light that the window allows in with the simple flip of a switch.