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Green Living: Sun Tubes, Sun Pipes, or Solatube- why don't more people know about these.
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- CommentAuthorj40
- CommentTimeAug 23rd 2008
I've recently had two Solatubes fitted in my lounge in my bungolow which have made a massive difference to our living space, which we often had to turn on the light during the day.
Until recently I didn't even know these sun tube / pipes / tunnel even existed. They are an excellent innovative idea but actually very simple. Sorry- I should explain- essentially a system which, through a highly refelctive tube, brings natural light from your roof (by way of a sky window or dome) into your dark rooms - normally first floor- or ground floor on bungolow (but i have also heard that it can be brought down to ground floor in a two storey house).Apparently it can be installed in basements through the wall- like a porthole!
Anyhow, I was just wondering how many people are amazed that these natural light sun tubes / pipes are not more widely known about? And trying to find a company to fit them wasn't easy either - but eventually did and they were excellent. -
- CommentAuthorRachel
- CommentTimeAug 23rd 2008
They are great for a short span, maybe a metre, but mine stretches over 2 metres and is a bit poor.... -
- CommentAuthortony
- CommentTimeAug 23rd 2008
They are better suited to hotter sunnier climes -- I think they are overpriced and a waste of money in the UK -
- CommentAuthorTerry
- CommentTimeAug 23rd 2008
Rachel, what type of tube is yours - rigid or the concertina type?
as you infer performance definitely goes down with increase in length, and also with any bends.
j40 - these tubes are fairly well advertised in the building press and at shows etc. There have been a number of threads on here discussing them.
Will be fitting our solatubes soon. -
- CommentAuthorRachel
- CommentTimeAug 23rd 2008
mine is rigid and no bends. going to take it out and try somewhere else of shorter span. the extra lengths cost a bomb but I thibk they are going down in price. bought mine 3 years ago. -
- CommentAuthorj40
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2008
Rachel- you might want to check out Solatubes- they have the most highly reflective tubes out of all of them- and apparently the bigger ones (350mm) can span 9mtrs- although I doubt that! Mine span 2 mtrs each and are excellent. Terry, who is fitting your Solatubes or are you doing it yourself? -
- CommentAuthorRachel
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2008
My 1m extensions cost £100 each! So, I'll have one or two available if I change the position. Any takers? Will be much cheaper of course. -
- CommentAuthorDavipon
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2008
I've fitted a couple of the velux rigid tube solar tubes,was quite impressed with efficiency in a middle of house bathroom,Travis Perkins sell them but not cheap outside of trade. -
- CommentAuthorj40
- CommentTimeAug 25th 2008
Do the Velux have domes Davipon? -
- CommentAuthortony
- CommentTimeAug 25th 2008
No they are square on the outside of the roof -- round flat pearl on the ceiling. -
- CommentAuthorTerry
- CommentTimeAug 25th 2008
j40 - fitting ourselves in a couple of months -
- CommentAuthorarthur
- CommentTimeAug 26th 2008
How do they affect the insulation of the roof they penetrate? I seem to remember getting the impression from somewhere that the cost of light would be increased heat loss... -
- CommentAuthordocmartin
- CommentTimeAug 26th 2008
Sunpipe seem very reluctant to publish U values on their website. How thermally efficient are they? -
- CommentAuthortony
- CommentTimeAug 26th 2008
They cannot even be described as thermally efficient -- they are not and they are problematic to both try to insulate and to stop drafts. -
- CommentAuthorj40
- CommentTimeAug 26th 2008
From what i believe- and i only know Solatube- the diffuser has a double glazed and meets all U values etc. Some do wrap insulation around them but it is not required. -
- CommentAuthortony
- CommentTimeAug 26th 2008
But then the tube itself is totally uninsulated and must cause big heat losses. -
- CommentAuthorRachel
- CommentTimeAug 26th 2008
No drafts if you seal them and one can insulate around the tube. -
- CommentAuthorDavipon
- CommentTimeAug 26th 2008
Havn't insulated or draft proofed solar tubes,with a 4" extractor 3 feet away going directly to a tile vent didn't seem much point worrying about a minimal heat loss. -
- CommentAuthordocmartin
- CommentTimeAug 27th 2008
Rachel, several times, on TV programmes, I have noticed significant condensation inside sun pipes. One make describes air exchange through the outer nylon gasket; how can they then be completely sealed? -
- CommentAuthorTerry
- CommentTimeSep 6th 2008
Seem to recall one of the manufacturers advertising bumff giving a U-value of 2.0 -
- CommentAuthorRachel
- CommentTimeSep 6th 2008
yes, maybe not totally sealed. I take it back... No condensation in mine.
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