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Spend Less On Your Electric Bills With Sun Dome Skylights
Filed under Home ImprovementSep 6Today, solar lighting tubes are becoming a common sight in many buildings these days. Also known as sun tunnels or sun tubes, they are often categorized together with other tubular lighting devices, TDD’s. They are available in straight, jointed, or curved designs; each would increase the amount of natural daylight that enters a room.
On first appearance, a dome skylight appears similar to other forms of recessed lighting. They will not look obtrusive no matter what decor is present. In many cases they are easier to install and cheaper than other types of skylights. As their size is typically compact this means that far less heat is lost outwards during the cold winter months, during the summer heat gain can also be controlled. They are often described as being a great energy saving device.
The main design concept behind tubular skylights is to have a living space which is brightened by diffused sunlight. Indirect light is not so harmful and damaging to people and belongings. For example if sunlight was to enter a room unimpeded it can cause eye strain as well as damage to furnishings. It is possible to pick up a tubular skylight that comes with an integrated electrical light which can be used during the night or when the sky is heavy with cloud.
Most tubular skylights are designed with a metal frame and acrylic lens. The actual tubes are fixed into a dome which is then installed into the roofing. Most would have a form of reflective sun scoop that helps to direct the sunlight into a plastic or metal tube. This tube has a reflective coating that guides the sunlight through a diffuser lens. It is this lens that is affixed on to a room’s ceiling, spreading light down and outwards into the room.
Although they are quite compact when compared to other skylights, a tubular design is still able to bring a high level of light into any room. It has been claimed that on an average winter’s day the light output is the same as a 700 watt bulb, while during the summer this can increase to 1200 watts. This would be sufficient for almost everyone’s needs.
The amount a tubular skylight costs is going to depend on its size, as well as quality. The starting price can be as low as a hundred bucks, but expect to pay more than five hundred for the top of the range designs. It is best to steer clear of the cheapest products as they are unlikely to have been made to a high quality.
When it comes to choosing an installer, do as much research as you can. Never choose an installer blindly. Always seek out a company that is recommended by other people. If you were to use an inexperienced firm, then the result may be drafts and water leaks that are expensive to fix.
It is not that difficult for an experienced DIY enthusiast to fit tubular skylights by themselves. With the cost of electricity rising upwards each year it makes perfect sense to take on board practices that can reduce the energy required to heat and cool a home as much as possible. By choosing a sun-dome skylight, you would also discover that the atmosphere becomes less stressful and more productive than if using only artificial lights.
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