Too Hot & Too Dark...VELUX Solar "Fresh Air" Skylight to the Rescue

Is your home hot, stuffy, and dark?
See what a Velux solar "fresh air" skylight can do for you.

Summer days in the living room of this Santa Rosa home were unbearably hot and stuffy. With no way for the heat to escape, it rose to the ceiling and stayed there, overheating the whole room. Also, because of the wood interior, the room was quite dark. The owners decided to install a VELUX solar operable four by two foot "fresh air" skylight to get rid of the heat and brighten things up.

The skylight installation was completed in two days, with a total budget of $4,900. The VELUX solar operable "fresh air" skylight gives them the opportunity for a 30% federal tax credit of $1,470, reducing the net cost of the skylight addition to $3,430.

What was once an over-heated, dimly lit room now has lots of natural light and much better ventilation. 

We love our skylight. It has added much more than just light to our home. We can see the oak tree and feel a bit more of the outside beauty of our home. We LOVE how much hot air it lets out of a previously uncomfortably warm room. The rain sensor works every time, and we don't have to remember to close the skylight if rain is imminent. Thank you for the beautiful workmanship and attention to detail.                                                                                         ~Emily &Bryan

Learn More Here

Waking Up with Paul, Falling Asleep with Winston...

Amazing Remote Control for VELUX Skylights and Blinds

Find out how one VELUX skylight owner woke up with Paul and fell asleep with Winston:

This newly designed remote control allows you to open and close all of the skylights and blinds in your home from one place. You can use the pre-set programs on the remote or set your own so your home is ventilated, shaded, and protected from rain, without your having to think about it throughout the day.

Call us to get your own skylights that operate 

at the touch of your finger!
(707) 527-5330

Happy Father's Day!

Is it so dark in dad's man cave that you can't see him, you can only hear him breathing?

 Brighten your dad's Father's Day with a VELUX SUN TUNNEL. We'll do the installation work so your dad can sit back, relax, and enjoy the sunlight. When we're done, you'll be able to hear dad and see him, too! 

Call now to schedule an installation by June 30th
and we'll give dad a $50 discount per tube (up to three per household).

Call us today! (707) 527-5330

P.S. There is an optional black out shade for when 

dad wants the darkness back for watching t.v.!

VELUX 5-Star Skylight Specialist Contributes to Net Zero Berkeley Public Library Renovation

Posted on Full View, a blog for VELUX skylight specialists, on June 10, 2014:

Berkeley Library at Framing Stage

Working closely with VELUX Sales Representative Mike Price, 5-Star Skylight Specialist Naturalight Solar played a big role in the renovation of the West Berkeley branch library, installing 15 VELUX VCE 4646 and 14 FCM 4646 skylights, shown above during the framing phase, all with blinds.

Price worked with the project architect during the design phase and Naturalight Solar took the reins to complete and win the bid. They recommended adding blinds to all of the skylights for additional light control.

“It’s a very unique building because it’s designed to be very energy efficient,” Durand said. “The skylights are 27 feet off the floor, it has a lot of volume and the architect did an interesting thing with the skylight wells. They seem quite pleased with the effect of the skylights.”

Installation took one day and included using a lift to bring all of the skylights to the roof. Naturalight also coordinated with the building control company to assure that the skylights and blinds controls would properly communicate with the building’s controls computer. This included ordering a single VCE skylight to test the controls in the contractor’s shop before anything was installed on the building.

The skylights help the library achieve a net zero energy rating by bringing in plenty of natural light and using the chimney effect to pull in fresh air. The library relies on passive ventilation rather than a forced air system for cooling. Skylights and south-facing windows provide passive heating during winter months.

The building is also equipped with a photovoltaic array designed to produce more energy than it uses.

Call us today for a free estimate 

on your own energy efficient skylights!

(707) 527-5330

VELUX "Fresh Air" Skylight...Lagniappe

Lagniappe is a Cajun word meaning a small gift given to a customer in addition to their purchase. This summer VELUX has a gift for you:

The VELUX No Leak Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights are eligible for a $200 Solar Powered Skylight Rebate from VELUX directly to you, on top of the existing 30% federal tax credit eligibility. 

In addition to saving you money, adding fresh air and light powered by the sun means you are getting the most value out of your new skylights. The Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights are:

• Convenient— With solar power and a remote control, opening and closing the skylights and blinds is easy and convenient.
• Programmable—The new intelligent touch control makes it easy to select pre-set programs. For example, select a program that opens the skylights at set intervals throughout the day to refresh your home. And no need to worry about bad weather; the rain sensor will always override any program.
• Easily Installed—No wiring means your skylight will be ready to go in a snap!

 Learn more about the solar powered “fresh air” skylight HERE.

   The 30% Federal Tax Credit falls under “Solar Electric Property” expenditures; because it is a credit and not a deduction, it reduces your total tax, not just your taxable income, resulting in a larger savings for you!

Learn more about the federal tax credit and how to get your refund HERE.

Call us today for your free estimate! 

(707) 527-5330

We Remember Those Who Have Served, this Memorial Day

“We who are left, how shall we look again
Happily on the sun or feel the rain
Without remembering how they who went
Ungrudgingly and spent
Their lives for us loved, too, the sun and rain?”
-Wilfrid Wilson Gibson

       Originally, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day because communities would gather to decorate the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers with flowers and flags. After WWI, Memorial Day continued the tradition of remembrance and decoration of the graves of fallen soldiers, but it was expanded to commemorate American soldiers in all wars. 
       This is a time to remember those who have served our country and to celebrate the freedom they have given us. Whether it is the freedom to go out to eat tacos at 2 am or the freedom to practice your chosen religion, we thank American soldiers for their service.

Our office will be closed on 

Friday, May 23rd through Monday, May 26th 

in observance of Memorial Day. 

No Sweat! Cool Your Home With the Sun

3 Refreshing Benefits of a Solar Attic Fan:

1.  Cools Your Home. The Solar Attic Fan cools your home by actively pulling hot air out of your attic. 

2.  Energy Efficient. The Solar Attic Fan runs entirely on solar energy, so no electrical wiring is needed. 

3.  Saves You Money! By running on solar energy and actively cooling your home, a solar attic fan will lower your electrical bill.

SunRise Solar Attic Fans: 

This summer, cool your home with the power of the sun!

You can visit our site to learn more: http://www.naturalightinc.com/sunrisesolaratticfans/ 

Call us today for a free estimate! (707) 527-5330

Reroofing? Replace Your Old Skylights!

Is it time to replace your roof? Replace your old skylights as well to save you time, money, and leaky skylight headaches!

How to Bring Fresh Air into Your Home

Bring fresh, cooling air into your home even on hot days, with VELUX "Fresh Air" Skylights!

Create a Whimsical Space with VELUX Skylights!

More Coffee or More Sunlight?

      Have you ever experienced trouble falling asleep at night? Or staying awake at school or work during the post-lunch hours? These feelings of sleeplessness and sleepiness are often caused by the type of lighting we are exposed to throughout the day. For a lot of us, this lighting is electric rather than natural sunlight, and with time, it can have a huge affect on our bodies.

      All light, whether it is electric or natural, has what is called a Kelvin color temperature. Most standard electrical lighting is at 3,500 Kelvin, and remains at this level throughout the day. However, sunlight can reach levels up to 10,000 Kelvin, and changes throughout the day.

Certain levels, usually 4,500 to 6,500 Kelvin, allow our bodies to feel more awake and energized. In the evening, the natural color temperature decreases, allowing our bodies to slow down and progress naturally towards sleep. In other words, the changing color temperature throughout the day and night (the moonlight has color temperature, too) assists in regulating our body’s circadian rhythms.

      Spending so much time inside, under unnatural lighting, upsets these natural rhythms. Studies have shown that computer, television, and cell phone screens all give off light that has higher levels of blue light (a higher color temperature), a quality that tells our brains and bodies that it is time to be awake and active—which contradicts going to sleep right after using them.

      In some hospitals and care facilities they are using lighting in the evenings that has more red light (a lower color temperature) because it creates the opposite effect of blue light. It is calming, relaxing, and good for sleeping.

 By creating ways for abundant natural light to enter a living or work space, we can create indoor spaces that will balance your circadian rhythms and create a healthy, comfortable environment that will give you energy and help you sleep!
   

Skylights are the perfect way to let abundant natural light into your home that will make you feel good!

Call us today for a free estimate! (707) 527-5330.

***

 If you are interested in reading more about Kelvin light temperature, check out the source for this article here: “Human Centric Lighting” by Stan Walerczyk: http://humancentriclighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Stan-Article-SSL1.pdf 

and the Human Centric Lighting Website: http://humancentriclighting.com

Are There Beavers on Your Roof?

It might seem like it if you are noticing pools of water 
collecting from leaf and debris dams on your roof!
With all the rain and wind in recent storms, leaves and  
other debris will tend to build up, creating leaf dams.

The result? Pools of water that cause damage and leaks. 

The easiest way to keep your roof happy is to regularly clear away built up leaves and debris. A happy roof means a happy you.

Need a hand clearing that debris? 

Give us a call today! (707) 527-5330

Brighten Your Home with Bright New Accessories!

The new year has brought stylish and practical new accessories for your home. These new accessories for VELUX SUN TUNNEL skylights allow you to have the quality of light you want, when you want it.

Decorative Diffuser

This ceiling level decorative diffuser for VELUX SUN TUNNEL skylights adds style to any decor. It is available in Brushed Nickel, Polished Brass, Oil Rubbed Bronze, or White.

Daylight Controller

This product allows users to control the amount of daylight that enters a room. It is perfect for spaces such as bedrooms or entertainment rooms that might need darkening for sleeping or watching a show.

Diffuser Discs

There are now three options of Diffuser Discs. The standard Frosted Diffuser, the Prismatic Diffuser, and the New Fresnel Diffuser. The Fresnel diffuser has concentric honeycomb parabolic prisms to maximize light diffusion.

Energy Kit and Quad Diffuser

The Energy Kit (pictured) and the Quad Diffuser increase the energy efficiency of 

VELUX SUN TUNNELS and ensures they are ENERGY STAR® qualified. The Energy Kit is made up of a thermal plate and diffusing disc. The thermal plate converts a dual diffuser system to a quad diffuser system, while the diffusing disc reduces solar heat gain and increases light diffusion. The Quad Diffuser simply makes a two pane diffuser into a four pane diffuser. 

Call us today for a free estimate! 

(707) 527-5330