With Australians now spending 90% of their time indoors, it’s costing more than just higher power bills. Dark, poorly ventilated homes create a silent mix of pollutants from building materials and everyday household activities that can quietly impact mood, sleep, and long-term health. This modern lifestyle has given rise to what researchers call the “indoor generation”, marked by the lack of fresh air, natural light and rising energy bills, contributing to an overall decline in wellbeing.
The good news? Daylighting and ventilation systems can significantly enhance the quality of life indoors. Solutions like Solatube skylights and roof ventilation systems not only support health and comfort but also help cut energy costs. In this article, we’ll explore who the “Indoor Generation” is and how seven smart daylighting and ventilation solutions can cut costs while improving health.
Poor indoor air quality and a lack of natural light can lead to serious health problems. Indoor air pollution caused by mould, chemicals and dampness can increase the chance of asthma developing by 40%. Monash University found a direct link between daylight and mental health. Too much artificial light at night raises the risk of depression, while exposure to natural daylight during the day can reduce depression risk by 20%. This indicates that getting enough daylight is just as important as getting enough fresh air, and as the indoor generation continues to spend more time indoors, it’s an issue Australians shouldn’t ignore.
Homes without sufficient heating or cooling often come with high energy costs. As a result, many Australians choose not to heat or cool their homes at all. This decision, however, puts both physical and mental well-being at risk. A University of Melbourne study found a direct link between living in cold, unheated homes and poorer mental health outcomes. By designing homes and workplaces with adequate natural light and effective ventilation, people can protect themselves and save costs.
When faced with dark or hot rooms, people often try quick fixes, but they come with their own drawbacks. For example, people install blockout blinds to stop glare and window tints to reduce heat, but it turns a room into a dark space that is reliant on solely on artificial light. This leads to raised electricity bills and doesn’t get the benefits of natural light in the home. Choosing a Solatube skylight with a dimmer switch is a great option, as you can dim the light when needed and get the benefits of natural light all year round.
Here are some practical suggestions:
1. Bring Light into Forgotten Spaces
Bathrooms, laundries, hallways and walk-in wardrobes often lack windows and natural light. Using a tubular daylighting system, such as a Solatube skylight, brings in natural light and evenly disperses it throughout the home without compromising on temperature or requiring structural changes.
2. Improve Airflow to Reduce Dampness and Mould
Bathrooms and laundries are notorious for trapping heat and moisture, making ventilation, whether through an extractor fan or an open window, essential for preventing mould. Whole-house fans can help expel hot, stale air from the home, replacing it with fresh air while room ventilation kits clear out excess moisture. Together, these ventilation solutions create a healthier home environment and reduce the risk of mould, which can have serious impacts on health.
3. Design with Natural Rhythms in Mind
Our bodies rely on natural light to regulate circadian rhythms, mood, mental health, and sleep. But with Australians spending more time indoors at home, work, and in public buildings, getting enough natural daylight has become a challenge. Installing a tubular skylight brings bright, full-spectrum daylight into the home, giving the Indoor Generation adequate exposure while also reducing the need for artificial lighting.
4. Reduce Energy Dependency Through Smarter Design
Although traditional skylights may seem like the best way to increase daylight exposure, they often disrupt indoor temperatures because they aren’t designed with effective insulation. Solatube’s Miracle Skylight, however, uses advanced Spectralight® Infinity Tubing to capture and transfer natural light efficiently, while its Heat-Reduction and UV-Filtering Technology minimises heat gain and glare. By using a skylight that has heat filtering technology, such as Solatubes’ Miracle skylights, homes can brighten spaces without compromising comfort, ensuring homes stay both light-filled and energy efficient.
5. Apply Evidence-Based Design in Work and Learning Spaces
Adding daylight solutions in offices and schools brings great benefits for performance and well-being. The Heschong Mahone Study found that students in daylit classrooms were 20% faster in math and 26% faster in reading. Hammon Park school in WA also saved $6,000 in energy costs per classroom by integrating daylighting solutions. This indicates a clear benefit for productivity, health, well-being and electricity, making commercial skylights an ideal choice for schools and workplaces alike.
6. Build for Compliance and Sustainability
Across Australia, building codes typically require windows equal to 10% of a home’s floor area to provide adequate natural light. However, under the BCA daylighting concession, only 3% of the floor area is needed if skylights are used, achieving the same result with far less wall space taken up. This makes it easier for homeowners to enjoy bright, naturally lit interiors while keeping walls free for design or privacy. Solatube’s daylighting and rooflight systems are Green Star and NABERS certified, ensuring they meet both compliance standards and sustainability goals.
7. Choose Long-Term, Reliable Solutions
Quick fixes often end up costing homeowners more in the long run. Investing in durable, well-engineered systems for natural light and fresh air helps protect against indoor air pollution while keeping energy costs down. Solatubes daylighting solutions offer 99.7% reflective tubbing for maximum light output with custom leak-proof flashing for a perfect fit.
Inadequate daylight and poor indoor air quality are real concerns as the Indoor Generation spends more and more time inside. By combining seven smart solutions of brightening dark spaces, ventilating damp rooms, supporting natural circadian rhythms, reducing energy costs, designing for productivity, meeting building codes, and choosing long-lasting, reliable systems, you can create a home that’s brighter, healthier, and more sustainable.
Ready to make the shift and improve your indoor environment?
Find your local certified installer today and start transforming life indoors into a happier and healthier place.
Resources:
https://cassybayarea.org/worlds-largest-study-on-light-exposure-proves-its-impact-on-mental-health/
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/your-cold-house-is-bad-for-your-mental-health
https://solatube.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CodeMark-Certificates.pdf
Get a free quote from your local premier dealer
All fields are required. Privacy Policy
Please provide your postcode so we can customise your experience and connect you with the right team for your enquiry.
Please provide your postcode so we can customise your experience and connect you with the right team for your enquiry.
Purchasing both the product and installation from one of our local Premier Dealers can offer better pricing due to stock availability and certified installation training.
Enter your postcode for an installation quote from your local dealer.
Certified dealer installation is recommended, but you may use your own trade professional. Installation warranty is only done through the National Dealer network.
