About Daylighting

What is daylighting?

Most simply, daylighting is the practice of using natural light to illuminate building spaces. Rather than relying solely on electric lighting during the day, daylighting brings indirect natural light into the building. Daylighting reduces the need for electric lighting and connects people to the outdoors. And it provides pleasing illumination at a fraction of the cost of the most efficient electric lights.

Daylighting energy saving facts

Daylighting is an under-used renewable energy resource. Natural daylight is better for people, does not require electric energy, and can actually reduce the initial cost of an HVAC system. Research indicates that we are healthier and more productive when we have daylight in our interior environments. Reduced use of artificial lights means that less electric energy is used and cooling loads can be reduced. Every kilowatt-hour of electricity used costs the owner money and generates 3,400 Btu of heat.

About the Daylighting Collaborative

The Daylighting Collaborative was initiated by the Energy Center of Wisconsin and its sponsoring members as a source of why-do and how-to information for daylighting using windows. With the growing interest in the energy savings benefits and research on the other non-energy related benefits, the Daylighting Collaborative and its website were re-focused to not only provide information but act as a gateway to other existing information on daylighting.

An invited Advisory Committee acts as a sounding board and general technical oversight and insight for the staff. If you are interested in potentially serving on the Daylighting Collaborative's Advisory Committee in the future, please contact us.

The Daylighting Collaborative is funded through grants and sponsorships received from utilities, government, foundations and product manufacturers and other sponsors. For more information, please visit www.daylighting.org.