Daylight is a full-spectrum source of light to which human vision is adapted. Recent studies have shown that proper daylighting of a building can increase productivity, decrease sick time and even increase sales. Daylighting has two general benefits: it can improve the quality of light in a space and reduce the amount of electrical lighting required.

More importantly, daylight provides tremendous psychological benefits to building occupants; this should be a main goal of daylighting rather than the simple reduction of electrical lighting requirements. Good daylighting design requires consideration of a range of complex concerns. Since Canadians spend as much as 90 per cent of their time indoors, our good health is directly associated with receiving optimal levels of quality light.

Fluctuating light levels influence even our hormonal levels and biological rhythms. Daylight can have other physiological effects as well. Studies of the effect on student health of daylighting in American schools have consistently shown results of increased attendance, improved academic performance, increased growth and reduced cavities.

Building-related productivity and health benefits are often difficult to characterize, let alone cost, so designers are left with energy performance to carry most of the argument for daylighting. Reduced peak electricity demand is a major benefit for buildings that experience their greatest load during daylight hours. Cooling loads can also be reduced in buildings occupied during daylight hours, since daylight provides more energy as visible light and less as heat, compared to electrical lighting.

With proper building integration and lighting controls, daylight can significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting. Integration of daylighting strategies with electrical controls can provide automatic adjustments to provide minimum light levels with minimum electricity use.

 Daylighting should be considered an integral part of sustainable building issues. Before electric lighting, daylight was the primary illumination source for all building types. Designers now tend to rely on electric lighting, especially in plans with deep floorplates. However, even northern window orientations provide useful daylight because of diffuse sky radiation.

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Acknowledgments to Canadian Funding Corp staff, CMHC and thanks to Fast Company Blogs.