BRIGHT SOLUTIONS FROM NATURAL LIGHTING CO.

Feature Story

THE NATURAL LIGHTING COMPANY IS ALL ABOUT LETTING THE SUNSHINE IN. As the premier Solatube distributor and installer of innovative skylight technology, the Natural Lighting Company delivers solar-perfect lighting that can eliminate the need for daytime electric lighting, said Brooke Nutting, company co-owner.

So what exactly does that mean? “‘Good Morning America’ did a study several years ago and they found that homeowners can save about $20 a month,” she said. “Since I work away from home, I don’t think we see that, but for say, retirees who are home all day, I would say that’s definitely a valid savings.” The company showroom on Moon NE is testament to the power of the Solatubes as it’s lit entirely through natural means.

LIGHT THERAPY

“We never have to use the lights unless it’s really cloudy,” Nutting said. “Solatube delivers a precise light, natural light. This is important for people who are artists or if you’re putting it in your kitchen, it gives you a true rendition of color.” It’s also important for people affected by seasonal affective disorder, which is often treated with light therapy.

“When it’s not bright outside and not bright in our houses, you just tend to feel sad,” Nutting said. But the bright, natural light that fills a room’s nooks and crannies, or enlivens a dark passageway, helps chase the gloomy feelings away. For those who prefer a muted effect, the company also provides filters. “If the bright, white light is not what you’re looking for, we have what’s called a warm effects lens,” she said. “It just adds some of the red spectrum into the Solotube. It will make it feel more like an incandescent light. Walls are more of a brown color and the floors are a little bit more warm.”

LONG-TIME LOCALS

The Natural Lighting Company has been in Albuquerque since 1996; Nutting and her husband, Don Nutting, took over the company in 2010. “He was working in the commercial building industry, building office buildings and they require natural

sunlight in every office, which is very easy to accomplish if you only build on the perimeter of the building,” she said. “One of his bosses found the Natural Lighting Company and tried that out. The previous owners had put it in a number of commercial settings.”

But the owners, “were getting ready to retire and wanted to somebody to take it over,” Nutting said. “So Don and I decided to go into business for ourselves.” It wasn’t really a difficult decision, she said, since the pair of La Cueva High School graduates also both earned degrees from the University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management.

“We both grew up in small-business families,” Nutting said. “It was interesting for us to work together. Don has master’s degree in business. It’s helped us to stay local and use what we learned in college.”

What’s interesting is even though their lives tracked down similar paths, they did not actually meet until later in life. “We went to one year of middle school, all four years of high school and college and didn’t meet until our senior year of college,” Nutting said with a laugh. “Albuquerque is a kind of a small town and yet it’s a big town, which makes it kind of fun. We didn’t know each other, but we had friends who were similar, we just never crossed paths until the right time.”

home-grown owners

Having home-grown owners is important to their customers, Nutting said, simply because of those small-city demographics. “That’s actually what our customers want to know because they invite us into their homes to solve their lighting problems,” she said. “So they want to know who we are personally and they want to make sure they like us because they are making us a part of their home.”

The decision to take over the business has been a good one. “We actually are growing,” Nutting said. “We hired a second install team. We’re so busy and growing. I’m actually looking for somebody to hire for my position because I’m so busy with responsibilities with the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico (HBACNM). I’m the outgoing Green Build Council chair and the incoming associate at large so I’ll be on the board of directors.”

Being a part of the association is important because, “it’s trying really hard to look out for the homebuilding industry in Central New Mexico,” she said. “When people are buying homes, it helps builders be employed, which helps subs be employed, which helps stimulate everything. It’s amazing how it all trickles down. We all do business with each other and we all spend our money with each other and it all helps the community.”

innovative, new products

The HBACNM even recognized the Natural Lighting Company for one of its new products, the solar-powered NightLight. A cellphone-sized photovoltaic panel powers two, rechargeable, AA batteries throughout the night to allow the Solatube to emit a soft light glow that remains on through the night – perfect for illuminating the way to the bathroom.

“This is a great option,” Nutting said. “It was named the most innovative new product at the fall 2016 Parade of Homes. And it helps the Solatube qualify for a 30 percent tax credit, which is a great incentive. It replaces the need for an electric nightlight. Our demographic is older retirees who use a nightlight on a regular basis. It gives you that night light effect so you don’t have to use electricity at night in dark bathrooms or kitchens.”

As for the Solatube itself, while the market share among builders – particularly green builders – is growing, nearly 80 percent of business is through retrofits. Purchase and installation cost about $600.

The Natural Lighting Company recently added the Solar Star attic fans, which are also photovoltaic-powered and help reduce the heat that builds up in attic space. “Anytime you can pull 140- to 160-degree air out of your attic on a regular basis, it’s going to help tremendously,” Nutting said. “Ultimately, this will prolong roof life and structure life. This is a great option.” As a matter of fact, she added, “we encourage everybody to come by our showroom and see all of the great options we have.”