Wouldn’t you like to bring more natural light into your space? If so, you should consider installing a skylights into your home. But whether you plan to install them in the bathroom or the living room, the first question that comes to most homeowners’ minds is: How much will all of this cost?
This is a very valid question, but the answer doesn’t just come by calculating the installation and cost of materials; you also have to factor in how much money you would be saving by installing a skylight.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Skylight?
The cost of installing a skylight depends on a number of things: Location and size of the skylight, cost of materials, and professional labor being three of the most important. Due to the complexity of installing skylights, we recommend hiring a professional to do the job.
For one, cutting through multiple layers of the roof requires precise measuring and tools to do the job safely and efficiently, as well as the knowledge of where to cut and, if necessary, how to reroute pipes and electrical wires around the skylight. Skylights also need to be mounted at an angle to reduce how much sunlight comes into your home. Experienced professionals understand these criteria and are trained to anticipate these issues.
Will Skylights Save Me Money On Energy Costs?
The short answer is: most likely. The long answer is: it depends on the type of skylight that you install.
If you have a roof slope that you can position your skylight on that faces either north or south, you will be able to allow heat into your home during the winter time while reducing direct heat during the summer. This will bring your energy bills down year-round, as you harness natural light to heat your home. Putting your skylight near a tree will produce a similar effect.
Another popular option is to install skylights that have layers on top of the glass that reduce heat intake. While these layers will reduce the heat – making your house cooler during the summertime – they will also make it cooler in the winter, so it’s best to ask DryHome about the different features they can provide to keep your energy costs down.
Are Skylights Energy Efficient?
Not only can a skylight provide more savings when it comes to heating and cooling your home, but a properly installed skylight can also save you money on your lighting bill as well by reducing electricity and minimizing how many light bulbs you buy. Most people opt to install a skylight that reflects the sun into the house, thereby maximizing the amount of light that comes inside, resulting in a room filled with natural lighting.
Some skylights also can provide ventilation. A simple flip of a switch can raise or lower the glass on the skylight to let in additional streams of airflow, which can reduce energy costs during colder nights of the summer. While a skylight used to be considered merely decorative addition to a living space, recent innovations have made installing a skylight a green initiative.
If you currently have those cloudy, faded plastic bubble skylights in your home, you are wasting energy. Not to mention they no longer provide as much light. You can significantly increase the energy efficiency of your house and reduce your energy bills by replacing your inefficient plastic skylights with VELUX Curb Mount Skylights (available as a fixed or opening unit).
The VELUX Curb Mount is up to 35 percent more energy efficient than plastic skylights. Their savings can be approximately $13 a month.
Can I Deduct a Skylight on My Taxes?
Since the federal government has recently emphasized green energy living, several tax incentives have been put in place to encourage homeowners to depend less on traditional forms of energy. The Emergency Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 both allow for a tax credit for “solar electric property” through the year 2021. This credit allows for a 30 percent benefit on materials and installation costs, which should help offset some of the initial costs. Individual tax situations vary greatly, so you’ll need to check with your accountant before knowing for certain about your ability to benefit from tax credits. Remember to keep your receipts!
Will a Skylight Affect the Resale Value of My Home?
Most homeowners prefer the feel of natural light in their homes, as it makes space feel larger, while also improving the mood of the homeowner.
Putting a skylight in your home is one of the best home renovations you can do, since you not only get to enjoy it while you are still in your home but also years after installation as well. Between the tax and energy savings, and increased aesthetic appeal, having a skylight will give your home an additional selling point should you ever decide to move.
If you have any questions or need recommendations for choosing the right skylight for your home, DryHome is here to help. Give us a call to learn more about the many benefits skylights will bring to your home.
