Ultimately, mankind derives every joule of energy we use to power our modern technology from the nigh limitless power of the sun. Hydroelectricity, which accounts for nearly 20% of power production globally, ultimately derives energy from collected precipitation and is only made possible by the solar-driven water cycle. Fossil fuels are merely stored husks of ancient solar-driven plants and animals which are easily combusted to power our vehicles, factories, and homes. The problem with fossil fuels, beyond the carbon emissions which now threaten our very way of life, arises from efficiency losses as energy from sunlight is converted first into tissues, then into coal or oil, and finally into electricity.

But all day the sun bathes us in its life-giving photons, and yet many of us remain confined to artificially lit offices and living spaces. Not only is this a waste of an incredible resource, but before the advent of artificial lighting our species had evolved in the presence of sunlight, not fluorescent bulbs. The stress of artificial light on the human body has recently been discussed in terms of circadian rhythm disruption and wavelength dependent retinal damage, but the effects on workplace productivity and mental health have also been researched heavily by the U.S. government.

Health benefits aside, a household which takes advantage of the wealth of natural daylight can forego needless electricity expenditures on artificial lights - at least until the sun sets. It seems as though suburban architects have forgotten the design necessities of civilizations past, when adequate light could only be derived from the sun. What are design elements that we could incorporate into the modern home to maximize natural lighting?

The following examples are merely permutations on a well understood concept, the window, but modern technology allows us to take full advantage of this ancient idea.

• Large, thoughtfully directed windows provide sufficient lighting throughout the day's solar procession across the sky. Here in the northern hemisphere, the optimal orientation for a window is to the south. With proper
  shading
  shading to the east and west, a home can take advantage of natural light without needless exposure to direct illumination and the incurred cooling costs of solar radiation. Additionally, properly insulated "low-E" windows will reduce the thermally active wavelengths of sunlight without impacting visible wavelengths we so desire.
  
  
  
  
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• For rooms on the top floor, skylights remain the easiest way to take advantage of natural light. What amounts to a window on the roof, skylights face the same issue of thermal insulation while meeting the additional challenge of repelling water during rainstorms. Because no homeowner wants a leaking roof, skylights must be carefully fitted and weatherized to ensure impermeability. An advantage to skylights comes from their ability to be designed to act as a thermal duct. I've come across a handful of homes with skylights that can be opened as the sun sets, providing a vent for the hot air which collects near the ceiling to be vented.
  
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• Finally, the far more technical brother to skylights is the sun tube. Using a domed tube stretching from the roof to even the lower floors of a structure, mirrors direct light from the outside to typically windowless rooms like bathrooms or hallways. The air within these solar tunnels acts as an insulator, preventing the transfer of heat to the indoors where it would have to be cooled.

The benefits of natural lighting can be easily taken advantage of with proper foresight. Not only will your pocketbook thank you, but your family can rest easy with their improved mental health and reduced environmental impact.