Going Solar in the Bathroom

We’ve already talked about going solar in the kitchen and in the bedroom. But what about bringing the power of the sun into the bathroom, a normally small, private, and synthetically-lit room? Here are some quick ideas to shed sunlight onto your upcoming bathroom remodel.

Daylighting

• Just as in the bedroom, the kitchen, or any room of the house, daylighting is a great way to allow natural light in and save energy at the same time. Some homeowners immediately balk at the idea, picturing not a window but unwanted exposure. Yet you can buy obscure, single-paned or glass-block windows that allow light in and keep prying eyes out.
• And don’t forget skylights. These are a favorite for the bathroom. Being on the roof, they prevent passersby from seeing in, and they maximize the amount of sunlight in the room. Given the small proportions of most bathrooms, a skylight can light up the room for the majority of the day, cloudy or sunny. There is something very refreshing about waking up in the morning and not having to flip on that annoying electric light to brush your teeth.
• Also, look into solar tubular lights. These ingenious lights have reflective surfaces, extending down from a clear dome that collects light on the roof, that are specifically designed to spread light throughout the room.

Gadgets

Posted on July 9th in Going Solar by Dan.