Sun tunnels are known by many different names – solar tubes, sky light tubes, light tunnels, etc. – but all these terms mean the same thing. Essentially, a sun tunnel is a miniature sky light. It creates a light-opening in the roof of the home, so that natural light can travel through the tube and serve as an interior light source.
All sun tunnels have similar design. In general, sun tunnels have a dome or window that is attached to the roof of the home to capture sunlight, which is sealed properly. The sunlight then travels down a reflective tube – which may be made of plastic or aluminum and be rigid or flexible – ultimately delivering natural light into the home or office.
Choosing Sun Tunnels for the Home or Office
There are just a few considerations that need to be made when determining which sun tunnel is right for your home or office. First, and most importantly, you should determine the size of the sun tunnel.
There are a few different areas that you will need to size:
- Sun window or dome: Determine what size is possible on the roof of your property.
- Sun tunnel tubing: Choose a tunnel tubing that will reach from the roof to the interior ceiling.
- Sun tunnel opening: Determine the possible opening size for the interior ceiling.
Secondly, you’ll also want to determine if you’ll need a rigid or flexible tube. In general, flexible tubes are ideal for cramped spaces where it’s impossible or difficult to reach the loft space above the ceiling. Solid tubes require loft access. The biggest difference is that rigid sun tunnels, in general, tend to limit the number of bounces of light, resulting in better sunlight transmission. But due to the higher cost of construction, rigid tunnels typically cost more.
How Effective Are Sun Tunnels?
The light results you receive from a sun tunnel are dependent on a number of factors. For example, the positioning of the sun tunnel, as well as the length of the tube, both factor into the finished light output. Typically, flexible and rigid tunnels also have an effect on the amount of light that is transmitted.
- Positioning: Sun tunnels collect sunlight, and thus, tunnels installed on the most lighted areas of the roof, i.e. south-facing surfaces, receive the most light. Sun tunnels on south-facing surfaces tend to transmit more light. Yet, even if the tunnel isn’t placed on direct sunlight, it will still transmit a noticeable amount of light.
- Tube Length: In general, longer tubes result in more lost light. The reason: Longer tubes require the light to be bounced more times to reach the diffuser in the ceiling below. As the light bounces, some of the energy is lost, resulting in dimmer outputs.
- Rigid or Flexible: Finally, the type of tube that you use has an effect on light output. Flexible tubes tend to bounce light more, resulting in a greater loss of light. Rigid tubes, on the other hand, have smooth reflective surfaces, and as a result, the light is bounced more efficiently. This is particularly true over longer distances, in which case a long rigid tube would be the most effective option.
Overall, the average output of a 2-meter, non-south-facing tube would be about 100w for a rigid tube and 60 watts for a flexible tube. That’s about the same output as you’d receive from a standard lightbulb. For south-facing sun tunnels, the results can be about double.
Buy sun tunnels on Deelat.com. We offer a range of flexible sun tunnel kits and rigid sun tunnel kits. Plus, we’re your source for sun tunnel parts and accessories.
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