Skylights are nice to have. They allow natural light in and studies indicate they improve mood and productivity. More importantly, skylights can lower your electric bill.

The key is the natural light. By placing a skylight above your hobby room or home office, you negate the need to have a light turned on during the day. Windows seldom provide the right kind of light in the right direction. Another good place to put a skylight is a kitchen. A skylight that can be opened is perfect to locate above an indoor herb garden. A variant known as a sun tunnel can allow natural light even into rooms that are not directly below the roof.

The best skylights have blinds or other light control. If the sun is beating down, then closing a blind over a skylight will prevent it from allowing extra heat into the room. This also allows skylights to be used in bedrooms or loft conversions. Venting skylights provide a chimney effect that pulls air out of the room. If properly placed, they can significantly reduce the need for air conditioning. They are also useful in hobby workshops to remove unpleasant odors, or to vent odors from bathrooms without the need for an active fan.

Skylights, in other words, can be used in a number of ways to lower energy costs and are a key element of LEED or green certification.