Solar Tubes – You Get More than Just Natural Light

Solar tubes are some of the brightest energy-saving ideas that have hit mainstream market. Also referred to as tubular skylights or sunscoops, these tubular-shaped skylights essentially collect and channel natural light into home and building interiors. Think light bulbs or daylights without the electricity. However, unlike the typical skylights being sold in home improvement stores, these tubes are specially designed to evenly distribute sunlight inside homes and buildings. With an even distribution of sunlight, no particular area inside your home will be overexposed to sunlight, thus you can avoid having faded carpets or furnishings. And since they are solar powered, these skylight tubes can save you money in the long run.

Good solar tubes are typically made from acrylic resin. This material provides the roof-mounted portion of the tubes, called domes, with better clarity. In effect, it maximizes the amount of sunlight that gets into home or building interiors. These tube shaped skylights are designed to have high level of resistance against extreme weather conditions and to withstand the impact of objects that might hit their domes. On top of the high quality acrylic resin used in making skylight tubes, a layer of reflective aluminum is also added on the tube itself. This enables the device to direct sunlight better than ordinary skylights. Plus, a diffuser lens that comes with every kit of tube-shaped skylight can be installed on the ceiling and help distribute light throughout the home or building.

Indeed, solar tubes are intended to function just like conventional skylights, only without the usual drawbacks. For one, the roof-mounted domes of this type of solar lights are usually added with UV inhibitors that can prevent excessive ultraviolet radiation from getting inside your home or building. Also, solar tubes are designed to lessen the heat that gets into the tube and eventually into the room. Therefore, even if you use natural sunlight to brighten up your home or building interiors, you do not need to turn on the air conditioner. And since the whole tube is lined with a highly reflective coating, sunlight can be efficiently collected and channeled from early in the morning till late in the afternoon. As a result, you save even more on your electricity.

The best part about solar tubes is the fact that they can be easily installed. All you need to do is make a hole on the roof. This is where you will set up the skylight. Next, make another hole on the ceiling where you will mount the diffuser. You will link the skylight and the diffuser by inserting the tube or shaft. While the installation procedure looks straightforward, you need some DIY experience if you want your tube-shaped skylight to be installed properly.

Solar tubes can be set up in almost all types of roofing material, from asphalt shingles and concrete to metal and ceramic tiles. This type of skylight comes in 10- or 13-inch tubes. If you want to save more on your electricity bills and help save the environment without sacrificing good interior lighting, solar tubes are definitely a wise choice. To learn more about solar tubes, visit http://www.eSolarZone.com