abasile
Well-known member
indyflick said:Anyone tied solar tubes for lighting yet?
Yes! Natural light is always preferable to artificial light, in my opinion. Two years ago, we installed three 10 inch diameter solar tubes (about $180 each at Home Depot) in our main living area, and one each in two large closets. We also installed a 14 inch diameter tube in my in-laws' home. The light transmission is great. Even at night, they pick up moonlight! I would recommend using the largest diameter you can accommodate between your roof joists.
There are just three downsides I would point out:
- Not much light gets through when they are covered by 2 feet of snow, which we do get from time to time here in the Southern California mountains.
- Like any "window", there is some heat transfer, but I've found it to be pretty minor.
- Solar tubes might interfere somewhat with the placement of photovoltaic panels in the future.