Natural lighting, also known as daylighting which refers to the lighting that is generated naturally with the help of natural sources such as the sun or the stars. The technique of efficiently brings natural light into your home using exterior glazing (windows, skylights, etc.), thereby reducing artificial lighting requirements and saving energy. Unlike artificial lighting, natural lighting is free and hence reduces energy requirements significantly. It has also been proven to increase health and comfort levels.
What are Natural Lighting Sources?
Natural lighting sources refer to any light provided by the sun or other celestial bodies, without the intervention of human-made sources. These sources are crucial for life on Earth, influencing ecosystems, human health, and the environment. Here are the primary natural lighting sources:
Sunlight: The Sun is one of the major sources of light for our planet Earth. The major factor which is behind the sustainability of life on the planet Earth is the light from the Sun. It facilitates photosynthesis in plants, helps regulate biological clocks in humans and animals, and provides warmth and energy to the Earth.
Moonlight: It doesn't produce light of its own which is reflected sunlight from the moon's surface provides moonlight, a softer, less intense source of light at night. While not as bright or warm as sunlight, moonlight influences animal behavior and ecosystems, especially in nocturnal species.
Starlight: Light emitted from stars other than our sun reaches the Earth, contributing to the natural light available in the night sky. Although much less intense than sunlight, starlight has fascinated humans for millennia, aiding in navigation and inspiring cultural and scientific endeavors.
Lightning: is the occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud. This violent and sudden electrostatic discharge generates a bright flash and thunder. This natural electrical discharge illuminates the sky and the surrounding area, showcasing the power of nature.
Bioluminescence: is produced by energy released from chemical reactions occurring inside (or ejected by) the organism, such as fireflies, some fungi, and marine life like jellyfish, possess the ability to produce light through chemical reactions within their bodies. This light is used to warn or evade predators), to lure or detect prey, and for communication between members of the same species.
Auroras: Natural light displays in the Earth's sky, typically seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras are caused by the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles from the sun. They create stunning visual effects in various colors, most commonly green, pink, and purple.
Why is Natural Lighting Important?
Natural light gives us Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the key ingredient in strong bone development – our body needs it to absorb calcium, and it helps us to develop in infancy and as we grow. A lack of vitamin D has also been linked to depression, obesity, and possibly even multiple sclerosis, with a gene defect resulting in vitamin D deficiency being linked to the condition.
Natural light helps our body clock keep time
Lighting can impact our health in many ways – from our sleep-wake cycle, to our alertness, to our mood and cognition, to our metabolism. That’s because our bodies are naturally programmed to function on a cycle that matches the solar day. This cycle, known as the circadian rhythm, governs many aspects of our physiology, metabolism and behavior, and is primarily synchronized by light.
Natural light improves psychological wellbeing
The natural light has multiple health benefits for us. It helps our physical and mental health in a number of ways, improving our strength, increasing our efficiency. It helps improve your brain functions and increases your focus and productivity throughout the day. Sunlight also helps in the production of happy hormones, helping depressive thoughts and help you feel better and have a more optimistic outlook.
Natural light can help prevent mould
The natural light could help keep your home clean and mildew free. Any a small flat, or dark property with inadequate windows, lighting, and ventilation will likely nod sagely ,the mildew or mould comes up. The home is exposure to adequate sunligh which can prevent Mould thrives.
Natural light protects plants and helps them thrive. Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, and humans need it.
What are the Benefits of Natural Lighting?
1. Provides Energy Savings
l It is totally free.
l It has numerous benefits for your physical as well as mental health.
l Installing windows or glass doors to let in enough sunlight, it help you saving energy bills.
l During the cold days of winter, natural light works wonders to keep your home and yourself warm and cosy.
It goes without saying then that strategic use of natural light provides energy saving in multiple ways.
2. Nature Friendly
As everyone knows，Artificial electricity generation is one of the biggest contributors to pollution in the world as it leads to the production of harmful chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, and carbon and mercury emissions. The natural light produced in the natural light source lighting, is non-toxic and harmless, environmentally friendly.Adding natural light to your home lighting system gives you illumination without turning on the lights, thus saving energy.
Conclusion:
In the past, when there was no artificial lighting, natural light was the main source of light for our ancestors, in the modern world, it’s till an integral part of our daily lives. While daylight may no longer be the utterly integral part of our existence that it used to be, the benefits of natural light are numerous. Understanding the natural light, use the natural light, create a good and healthy future.
