The Positive Health Effects Of Solar Tubes And Skylights
According to the National Institutes of Health, 42% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D.
Every extra photon of natural sunlight in your home is an additional resource your skin can use to create more Vitamin D, which helps boost your immune system, mood, and musculoskeletal health.
Additionally, seasonal affective disorder is nothing to take lightly. Especially during dreary winter months, being in an environment with more sunlight can ease symptoms of depression, increase your energy, and help you feel better about yourself.
Both solar tubes and skylights help increase the amount of natural sunlight in your home and provide numerous health benefits.
What Is A Solar Tube And Who This Is For
Solar tubes are called light tubes, such as large solar tube, but some also call them tubular skylight, daylight pipes, sun tunnels and, sun scopes. This system is called Tubular Day lighting Devices .
These are high-performing devices that provide natural sun light to interiors without increasing your electricity bills using patented optical technologies.
This device is a 10-inch tube that illuminates 150 square foot and can provide light of approximately equivalent to 300 watts. Often, its diameter is generally from 10 up to 22 inches, which are ideal to a typical homes ceiling.
Some of the available ones can illuminate up to 300 square feet. Such is a great alternative for traditional light. They can brighten your home free!
Though skylights can provide up to thrice the direct sunlight than regular windows, solar tubes are better as it captures and diffuse light. It is said also that choosing solar tube over the other is because it does not require reframing and drywalling, as well as tunneling and repainting.
Another advantage of this product over the skylight is that it does not require days to be installed but only an estimated two-hour period. With the lesser time required for installation, it would cause lesser mess and disruption. As to its cost, solar tube is more efficient while providing light with lesser energy.
Velux Tmr0140000 Rigid Pitch Flashing Sun Tunnel
- Ease of installation and use
- Complete accessories
- Small footprint and solid design
- Not much illumination on rainy days
VELUX has been a staple name among property owners and homeowners who have been considering solar energy products for reasons like energy efficiency and savings. Those who want to contribute in making a better earth are also choosing solar tube lights like items from this brand.
One of these is the Velux Tmr0140000, which is a top-rated pitch-flashing sun tunnel, offering reliable lighting to thousands of households worldwide. It is with solid features including a sleek size of 14-3/4L X 38H and a great design of an Acrylic Dome.
With the Tmr0140000, you can also take advantage of its complete accessories for installation. This kit includes a ceiling ring, a diffuser, a tunnel, shake/shingle roof flashing and two adjustable elbows.
When shopping around for a good tube skylight, you must also want to check for its ease of installation. You will not be disappointed for choosing this item, which offers quick setting up. Just choose a spot to install and get it there easily. But if you need to illuminate a larger space, you might have to choose at least one of these tube lights.
More so, I liked that the item is affordable, allowing you to get quality lighting without spending much money in the process. So if you want to ensure that you will be able to get both quality and affordability, you can consider the Velux Tmr0140000.
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Natural Light 10 Inch Tubular Skylight Kit
- Includes instructions
- Top quality construction materials
- Only for flat roof
Do you have a flat roof and thinking of installing a skylight? If so, you might want to check out the Natural Light skylight kit. This item is a top-rated and quality tube light for many users who want to start using clean energy products for their homes.
The Natural Light 10-Inch Tubular Skylight Kit is one of the best options for a solar lighting for roofs for those who want a maintenance free tunnel light. Once installed, you dont need to do anything else at all.
This tubular light is designed and constructed for flat roofs, which are pretty common. Plus, you dont need to worry about difficult installation because this one is a breeze to set up. With it, you dont need to hire someone to do the installation, too, because you can do it yourself.
In addition, I would like to note that this item is with 25 years warranty, giving you added peace of mind that you can get assistance if something goes wrong with your tube light.
The long warranty is one of the leaders in the industry. I also believe that manufacturers who put a long warranty on their products trust those. So in this case, it is obvious that the manufacturer of the tube light stands behind their tube light.
Natural Light manufactures some of the best rated solar tubes on the market. They sell different tube lights for different types of roofs that also include pitched angle roofs in addition to flat roofs.
How We Picked And Tested
Choosing a solar tube light is also like selecting other solar energy products. You must compare and weigh your options well based on several factors that were going to discuss in the following.
Location
Where do you plan to put the tube lighting? A few popular places include walk-in closets, stairways, hallways, kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms, to name some.
Nonetheless, think of the location of the sola tube before buying one to ensure that youre getting the right one. For example, for a large space, you might want to select that can illuminate up to 300 square feet.
Speaking of location, you should consider the room where you want to install the skylight. Make sure that you measure the room and that you find the current location of the light fitting in that room.
Also, do you need a brighter illumination like for a kitchen? On the other hand, is just average light amount okay like in a laundry room?
Illumination level
In addition to the above things to look into, you must also check out different tube lighting and amount they can illuminate.
For example, some of these are ideal for lighting bathrooms and hallways and can cover between 150 and 200 square feet. On the other hand, there are those designed for a larger space like living areas or an open plan kitchen and can cover up to 300 square feet.
Tubing length
Where to place the light collection dome
Do you want to place it in the same area with your electric light fitting?
Warranty
Price
Design
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Save On Electric Bills
The biggest benefit of installing solar tubes is the fact that sunlight is 100% free. Your dependence on electricity will reduce dramatically, and you will save money on your utility bills instantly. Tubular skylights cost less to install than traditional skylights. So, not only will you save on electricity, youll also save on initial costs with this product. Tubes will also minimize heat gain and loss, limiting your heating and cooling costs, as well.
Do Solar Tubes Add Heat
A typical solar tube-powered, radiant home lighting system requires a building structure that collects and stores heat during the day, when sunlight shines on the structure, to be used to illuminate rooms at night. The structure is known as a heat collection device . HCD must be mounted on a building structure with a solar collector and installed on a relatively small roof. The HCD must also have a heating element to send warm air into the room at night, even if no energy is used during the day. Details here.
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Disadvantages Of Solar Tubes
Solar tubes arent perfect for every situation. Here are some drawbacks of solar tubes to keep in mind:
The outside-facing end of a solar tube is often an acrylic dome, which can more easily be damaged or cracked when subjected to extremely hot or cold temperatures. If you live in an area where summers are especially warm or winters are especially cold, a skylight may be a better choice given the durability of the glass.
Where Are The Best Places To Install Solar Tubes
Solar tubes can be installed anywhere your roof can support them. Your roof should have a slope between 15-60 degrees, and standard rafters that are sparse 16 in on-center with a gap big enough for a 10-14 in tube. Certain areas of your home or office might not have the appropriate roof layout, while others might be perfect.
The best places to install solar tubes include rooms that dont receive much sunlight from windows. Popular places include walk-in closets, bathrooms, living rooms, and bedrooms if you dont mind waking with the sun. They can make a small home feel less stuffy and more spacious. Solar tubes, especially VELUX Sun Tunnels, are also great for rooms that cant accommodate a skylight, but might be able to fit a small solar tube. Though you wont get the views of a skylight, youll get powerful and UV-filtered lighting.
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What Are The Different Types Of Solar Tubes
In addition to the different solar tube sizes, you might also be interested to know the different types of solar tubes. To tell you, the only difference is their design and kind of roof it is designed.
For example, you should know about the limitations where to locate or place a light tube. You must check the space in the attic to find out if a space for a straight run is available.
Now, if theres an obstruction, a flexible tubing or elbow may be able to get around this issue. But then, it can be easier to install a tube in a vaulted ceiling as only one foot or more of tubing may be needed.
Nevertheless, when picking the design and type of solar tube light, you must check certain things like the roof slope. There are kits available with flashing, allowing for installing on slopes up to 60 degrees.
On the other hand, choosing the type will also be based on the roofing material. For example, a few types are only ideal for roofing material like asphalt shingles, wood shingles or shakes. There are also flashing adapters for tile roofs or metal roofs.
Nevertheless, the type of tube light to buy can depend on certain factors including the slope or material of your roof. So when it comes to selection, you should also look into these things to ensure that the type of tube light youre buying is suitable for your roof.
We also have a list of the best solar attic fan for your reference. Moreover, take a look at our best solar water pump if you like.
How Do The Solar Tubes Work
The solar tube lighting consists of two tubes, negative/emitter and positive/collector tube. You need to connect both tubes to a housing. When the sunlight hits the emitter tube, it produces light, and then the housing collects the light and uses it as a lighting fixture.
The optical design of the solar tube light is to channel as much as natural light into the house, and they come in 1 to 2ft diameter. The solar tube lighting system has reflective and polished sheet metal and waterproof surfaces that generate energy from the daylight and bring light to a dark home.
The solar tube light is shaped like an impenetrable Perspex dome and appears from above as a spherical window-like opening fitted with a nozzle. It helps to distribute the natural light from the sun proportionately. Using the solar tubes, you will get an uninterrupted natural light source that will reduce your electricity bills.
Most of the solar tube lighting systems offer low-profile and flexible tubing. In addition, most solar tubes include an Ultraviolet rays safety system, which is located in the light reflector or at the origin of sunlight on your roof. This UV light protection system will ensure that the natural light from the sun entering your home wont cause any health problems or damage the surfaces of your home.
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Average Solar Tube Sizes
There are a few typical sizing options to choose from when it comes to solar tubes. You want to make sure you are choosing the best size for your homes needs. Heres a quick overview of the available sizes:
- 250 mm solar tubes cover up to 10 square meters, which is ideal for both bathrooms and hallways.
- 350-400 mm solar tubes are ideal for most larger bathrooms and staircases.
- 550 mm tubes are typically selected for kitchens, living spaces and bedrooms.
Most larger rooms will require the installation of multiple solar tubes. These tubes can undoubtedly save home or business owners on electric bills in the future.
Radiant Skylight Us Sunlight Solar Tube 14
- Cost-saving as it is solar powered
- Flexible 6 feet solar tube
- Lens is made of acrylic to be hail resistant
- Requires simple installation process
- It may only be installed in an asphalt shingle roof
With the new technology, you can now enjoy natural light from the sun even if you are relaxing inside your home. That is made possible through the innovative Radiant Skylight Tube by US Sunlight. If you seem to be interested, you have to learn its pros and cons.
Gone are the days that residential and even commercial establishments are solely dependent to light bulbs or lamps that are electricity driven. People are now shifting to a more Eco-friendly and cost saving technology like one from US Sunlight.
The Radiant Skylight US Sunlight Solar Tube is solar powered. Therefore, it needs no complicated wiring to make electricity flow. It only harvest sunlight and convert it to power so you can expect 100% free electricity from it.
Im also delighted that solar powered device doesnt emit hazardous pollution to the environment since it uses renewable energy. Hence, our nature is safe and happy while you enjoy the benefits of Radiant Skylight US Sunlight Solar Tube.
If ever you wonder how this lighting device works, it is usually mounted at the rooftop. There is a tube-like part that enables natural light to flow down the house ceiling through a tube channel.
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How Much Does Solar Tube Lighting Cost
Typically, solar tube lighting costs between $500 and $1000. This includes the cost of purchase and installation. The reason that solar tube lighting is less expensive than skylights, which typically cost upwards of $2000, is that solar tube lighting doesnt require any drywall or framing.
If you feel comfortable installing solar tube lighting on your own, kits generally cost between $200 and $400.
Benefits Of Natural Light
New studies are showing a correlation between exposure to natural light during the day and our health and well being. Benefits include better sleep at night, increased desire for exercise, boosted metabolism, and greater mental focus.
There is increasing evidence that exposure to light, during the day is beneficial to your health via its effects on mood, alertness and metabolism. Our study results confirm that natural light during the natural daylight hours has powerful effects on health
Neurology Professer, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Light is the most important synchronizing agent for the brain and body and has been shown to be essential for health.
Neuroscientist, Northwest University
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Solar Tube Has Quick Easy And Practical Installation
Installing a solar tube into your home is a quick, simple and easy process. The solar tubes are unobtrusive, and they would blend well into the design of your home. An experienced worker installs a solar tube in less than three hours. Use best solar angle calculator before installing to get the best out of solar tube reflector.
Read my guide on best solar fence charger here.
Solatube Skylights Before & After Gallery
Before & After images of our many Solatube Skylight installs. The difference is night and day. A major change in the brightness of the room. Colors are truer. The feeling is home!The after-image is first, hover over the image to see the before-image.
Love is having two Solatubes! I had Byers Solatube come out to install two Solatubes in my kitchen and they are wonderful. I dont have to turn on my can lights until 8 pm in the evening and have the light first thing in the morning even on overcast days. I love the natural light and it has completely changed the room into someplace you want to be. Everybody from Byers was awesome! They were so professional and did a great job. Using drop cloths to keep everything clean through the installation process. I would highly recommend Byers Solatube and have on multiple occasions.
Tina H.
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Are Solar Tubes Tax Deductible
Solar tubes can be an excellent option for homeowners who want to reduce their energy bills. The government has recognized that not all lighting choices are created equal. High-efficiency lighting, such as solar tube lights, has positive environmental and economic benefits. So you can use tax deductions to help reduce your taxes. Although solar tube lights are not eligible for a tax deduction, its only a matter of time. Read my post on cost of solar panel per square meter here.
Can You Close A Solar Tube
Solar tube lighting is tubes that are directly wired to a solar panel. You can either leave the tubes open or close them. For homeowners considering installing a solar tube light, I always advise them to harvest power during the day when theres the sun and shut the tube down after the sun goes down.
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