Skylights help reduce the amount of electricity needed to light a school building, which reduces pollution from power plants. The "green" building movement focuses on taking advantage of existing natural resources, and natural lighting is a critical resource. Even on cloudy days, a simple skylight illuminates a schoolroom without turning on a bunch of bulbs.
The environmental impact of a skylight translates into financial savings for the school by avoiding the expense of powering an electrical lighting system. Over time, it will also reduce the cost of replacing burnt-out bulbs. The cost of installing a skylight should be weighed against future savings.
A study conducted by the Heschong Mahone Group of schools in Fair Oaks, Calif., showed that natural lighting can enhance a learning environment and improve student performance. The study showed that natural lighting diffused throughout the room and controlled to limit light on extra sunny days is ideal. Natural lighting can also help improve the performance of the body's visual system and assist the circadian system, which regulates biological processes like the sleep cycle.
Natural lighting is typically more aesthetically attractive than electric lighting systems. Skylight units themselves can add interesting design elements to a building, which can improve the appearance of a school for students, parents and visitors.