Daylighting: Vertical Windows, Skylights, and Clerestory Windows.  
The more daylighting we incorporate in our homes, the less artificial light is needed, resulting in earth-friendly benefits and personal financial savings. Solar power is free and available whether we take advantage of it or not.  Use daylighting to bring the sun's rays into you home thereby lightening your rooms and lifting your spirit.  

DAYLIGHTING: WINDOWS

WINDOWS (vertical light): the most common way to bring light into a space.  Vertical lighting is selective, and the amount and quality of light depends on the time of day and year.  
The options and ratings for our area of the country (West North Central) can get a little in depth, but the easiest way to go about purchasing new windows is to look for the Energy Star symbol and by working with a window expert and installer.  

TIP: to increase the light emitted from a window, use a large light colored window sill to help project light into the room.

Help yourself. Help the planet.  Each year, the use of energy efficient windows provide: 

• reductions in your heating and cooling bills. (save $145.00-$353.00 annually, in the West North Central region)
  
• reductions in your carbon footprint (reduced greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3000 lbs - or the equivalent of 50-150 gallons of gasoline)
• a more comfortable environment.  Air-tight windows = little to no drafts, and a consistent temperature!
• protection. Many Energy Star windows have a protective coating applied to the glass, which means they can prevent fading by up to 75%. Protect your hardwood floors and prevent fading on your new designer sofa.
• For more information and detailed facts, go to the Energy Star link dedicated to windows.

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SKYLIGHTS: a light transmitting opening in the surface or structure, forming a portion of (or all of) the roof of a building space. They are used to provide an abundance of toplighting, which decreases the need for artificial lighting, and improves psychological well-being.  
Depending on the application, skylights can provide up to ten times more light than vertical windows and allow sunlight access to centralized rooms which lack the option of side lighting (windows).
There are many options of skylight windows, along with versions that can open (either by hand or electrically) to provide ventilation.  They usually fit between roof trusses and can cost anywhere from $200-$800, (plus installation and materials) depending on quality and operation. Tubular Skylights are another, less expensive option, that doesn't provide a clear picture of the outside like a window does, but is able to provide bright illumination in the room.  One 10" tubular skylight is equivalent to 3 100 watt light bulbs. (per ODL)

Tubular skylight image from Don Vandervort's Home Tips

photo from www.nltubular.com

DAYLIGHTING: CLERESTORY WINDOWS

CLERESTORY: any high window above eye level (wikipedia) or a high wall with a band of narrow windows along the very top.  The clerestory wall usually rises above adjoining roofs. (architecture.about.com)

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