Check out Solatubes
03 Jul '07 from the editors
We've all heard how beneficial natural light can be—for our physical health as well as our mental health. Still, many of us, trapped in poorly lit office cubicles for most of the day, don't get nearly enough of it.
The solution? We all need to convince the upper-ups in our various companies that installing a Solatube Daylighting System would significantly improve our productivity. (Because, you know what? It probably would.)
Solatubes uses state-of-the-art technology to capture sunlight, and then reflect and diffuse it throughout an interior space. The system simultaneously reduces energy costs and improves the quality of life for those who occupy that building (or home).
And if you can't get the boss to put one of these in the office, you can always invest in one for your home.
See how the Solatube System works here.
image sxc.hu, Arjun Kartha
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I do not buy the whole
I do not buy the whole Solatube concept. We rely on heavy insulation to keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Solatubes will reduce your net insulation value in the place where you need it the most -- the ceiling. Tee reduction in energy cost compared to CFL is much less than the heat and cooling loss will be. People may like the addition of daylight, but the environmental impact is a negative one.
Solatube Daylighting Systems
Solatube Daylighting Systems do not lower the net insulation value in my opinion. According to their Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and their U-Factor (both less than .3), they are not only Energy Star rated, but as of October 2009, Solatube Int. produces the only tubular daylighting devices the qualify for the 30% Federal Tax Credit. This is entirely based on their energy efficiency. The positive psychological impact of natural light on people more than outweighs any perceived negative environmental impact. For Ken's comment above to hold water, he is saying to delete all the windows in your house as well. This doesn't make sense. If you want to lower the environmental impacts, then skip crown moulding, and choose 8'/9' ceilings versus 12' or cathedral ceilings...or insert many of the other non-essential elements that we choose to put in houses...but do not skimp on healthy natural lighting.
Solatubes are great!
So you don't buy it? Big deal! What do you know? In a dismally dark kitchen and bath, we added the 14" tubes and the rooms were transformed. The tubes can be wrapped in insulation to improved heat gain/loss. Environmental impact? You sound like one of the moronic "green freaks"!
I do not buy the whole
I don't know where you got your information but these are wonderful. I do not have a heat loss through the attic, never feel the cold or the heat in the summer. Do your homework and speak to some people that actually have them installed ....not some jughead that sits in his office and juggles numbers.
Commercial might be different...
Ken brings up a tough reality of any skylight--I had an architecture professor who referred to them as "energy nosebleeds".
On the flip side, I work in an office that is a converted warehouse--an inch of some low-density fiberboard is the only roof insulation, and it's pretty crowded (electric, data, phone, HVAC, old pipes above) and thus tough to insulate above the 9' drop ceiling.
The HVAC energy loss might not be so bad in situations like this (looks a lot like the picture above, only with less windows) compared to the light increase and benefits.
Anyone have experience with using Solatubes or similar with 12'+ long tube?
Solatubes going 12+
We have been installing Solatubes for 13+ yrs. and have gone as far as 30' with customers beaming with joy. Give us a call and we'll be more than happy to talk with you.