From Guest Blogger Sam Mead: Rooflights (Skylights) Can Reduce CO2 Emissions
Protecting the environment is becoming an increasingly large concern – so anything that members of the public can do to help reduce carbon emissions in order to safeguard the planet for future generations must be encouraged.
Of course there are many different ways to do this. For example you can car-share on the school run or on the way to work, you can recycle more to reduce your waste, or can make your home more energy efficient, which will even save you money in the process.
Indeed, the home is a great place to start when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint and reducing your impact on the environment, and a great way to making a huge leap towards making your abode fully sustainable and ‘green’ is by installing rooflights.
Simply put, having rooflights in your home has a huge impact on reducing carbon emissions. By increasing the amount of natural light that is allowed to enter a building, they reduce the necessity of artificial lighting which of course means less energy is consumed.
According to one study, covering around 15-20% of the roof of a building with rooflights will “positively contribute to the overall reduction in CO2 emissions”. The same report adds that “CO2 emissions associated with all aspects of operating a building without rooflights can be over 50% higher than for a building with 12% rooflights.
It’s not just the fact that they reduce a building’s reliance on artificial lighting either – an added bonus of rooflights is that the energy required to heat a building is reduced because of natural solar gain, which once again also reduces the cost – so it’s very much a win/win situation.
One of the leading producers of high-quality rooflights in the UK is Lonsdale Metal, and their commitment to helping protect the environment goes beyond simply helping to reduce carbon emissions. Studies show that 93% of aluminium used to construct rooflights is recycled then which gives you a clearer picture of why they are essential for any home that wants to lower it’s impact on the environment and lessen the impact of climate change.
Helping to reduce our impact on the environment is a huge job and not one that can be taken lightly. Installing rooflights will help make a huge difference in that respect – while also providing health benefits for your family thanks to the increased amount of sunlight that is coming into your home – but other changes must be made in order to make a significant difference.
Being ‘green’ isn’t just about making a few changes here and there but about changing your attitude towards energy consumption and how you live your day-to-day life. Small things like walking to the shops instead of driving soon begin to add up, while at home there are plenty of things you can do to. Start by installing rooflights, and you are on the road to success when it comes to doing your bit for the environment.
