Benefits of More Sunlight in Your Home in the Winter
Winter is almost here. It’s a season of colder weather, shorter days, and less sunlight. However, there is still plenty of sunshine to enjoy if you know how to embrace it and bring it into your home. So fling open those curtains and raise the blinds — there are plenty of benefits of letting sun beam into your home during the winter months.
A Warm House
Sunshine is warm; that’s no secret. During this chilly season, bask in warm sunshine for your own enjoyment and to fend off that bone-chilling cold. Let in more sunlight to help lower your heating bills and make rooms feel more cozy. Open the curtains in the morning to let the sun stream in, and close the curtains again when the sun goes down.
If you have old, leaky windows, replace them with newer, energy-efficient ones. This way, you won’t have cold drafts leeching in around the windows and counteracting the warming effect of sunlight.
Lower Electricity Bills
When sun streams in the windows, you do not have to turn your interior lights on. You may be able to avoid turning lights on in your home office while you work, or turning lights on in the kitchen as you cook.
Since electricity rates tend to be the highest during the day, let more natural sun shine in during the daytime to lower your electricity bills significantly — especially if you still have older incandescent light bulbs.
North-facing windows tend to let in the most non-glaring sunlight throughout the day. East-facing windows are great for morning sun, and west-facing windows let in sun during the afternoon. If you have older windows and are worried about heat loss, open the curtains only on the windows that let in the most sunshine at the time.
Health Benefits
Humans need natural sunshine to thrive, and many people do not get enough of it during the long winter months. You may not want to sit outside in the sun when it’s 20 degrees out, but basking in the sun that streams through your window is realistic and can have several benefits.
Higher Serotonin Levels
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes a happier, calmer mood. When you do not spend enough time in the sun, which is common in the winter, your serotonin levels drop. Let more sunlight into your home, and you may notice a more positive mood due to improved serotonin levels.
Stronger Bones
Sunlight stimulates your body to produce vitamin D. Many people develop low vitamin D levels in the winter due to a lack of sun exposure. This nutrient is important for bone health, so bask in the sun to lead to a reduced risk of osteoporosis and other bone problems as you age.
Healthier Skin
If you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or acne, spend a little more time in the sun to ease your symptoms.
Lighter, More Open Rooms
Many paint colors look gorgeous and bright when the room is lit with natural light, but they become dark and drab in the absence of sun. You deserve to enjoy the beauty of your home all year long, not just in the summer, which you can do just by opening your curtains.
As you can see, there are many benefits to flinging open your window treatments and letting the sun stream in on winter days. If you have been keeping your curtains closed because your windows are old, inefficient, and leaky, contact Arch Design Window & Door Co. We offer high-quality, energy-efficient replacement windows that let the sun stream in but keep the winter cold outside where it belongs.