Are Skylights As Effective In Arizona Winters?

When people think about skylights, they usually think of blazing desert sunlight streaming into their home on a warm afternoon in Arizona. But as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, a lot of people in Arizona question if skylights still work in the winter. Yes, they are, and in many respects, they are even more helpful at this time of year.

1. Getting the Most Out of Natural Light on Shorter Days

Arizona’s winter days may still be sunnier than in most states, but the days are much shorter. Skylights let in all of that valuable sunlight, so your home is always bright, even when the sun is lower in the sky. Skylights let in more natural light during the day and make you less dependent on artificial light in areas like Prescott, Flagstaff, or even Phoenix, where the light might be softer in the morning and evening.

2. Benefits of Passive Solar Heating

Arizona’s winters can bring frigid nights – especially in higher elevations. Skylights that are in the right place can let in sunlight and warm up the inside of a building without using any energy. The sun’s radiant heat can make the inside of your house warmer during the day, which can help you save money on heating. Double-glazed skylights with high efficiency also keep heat in at night, so you can stay warm without using too much electricity.

3. Benefits For Mood and Health

People spend more time inside even when the winters in Arizona are mild. Bright, open areas can make your home feel bigger, which is a little but important boost to your health throughout the winter months.

4. Picking the Right Type for Your House

There are differences between skylights. For winter use, it’s ideal to purchase double-glazed models with low-E coatings that reflect heat back into your home. Another great choice is tubular skylights, often called solar tubes. In Arizona, where winters are mild and there is a lot of sun, both standard skylights and solar tubes work quite well when they are put in the right way.

5. Keep Your Skylights Clean 

Cleaning your skylights is the easiest and most important thing you can do to keep them in good shape and working well. Cleaning your skylights on a regular basis will let in the most light and stop ice and snow from building up, which are two of the most prevalent causes of leaks and water damage.

6. Check For Leaks Before Winter

Get a professional to check your skylights for leaks in the weeks leading up to winter. Look for cracks or gaps in the seals and flashing around the windows where water could get in. Taking care of these problems before they get worse will keep water from damaging the inside of your home.

7. Make Sure You Have Suitable Insulation

Skylight insulation keeps heat from escaping from within all year, but this is especially important in the winter. A good amount of insulation might also help you save money on heating. A professional can make sure that the area around your skylights is sealed appropriately so that drafts and energy loss don’t happen.

8. Stop Ice Dam Formation

Radiant heat from your home melts snow and ice that has built up, and the water then flows down and freezes again around the edges of the roof and around skylights. You can stop ice dams from forming, though, by making sure your attic has good airflow and the roof stays at a steady temperature.