Saving Energy with a Tubular Skylight
Doors and Windows, Electrical and Lighting, Green Home, Video by Danny Lipford
While skylights are a great way to bring more natural light into your home, they can be hard to install, result in unwanted heat buildup, and are prone to leaking. ODL Tubular Skylights solve these problems by using a small diameter round lens on the roof to gather sunlight and shine it down a reflective metal tube to an diffuser mounted on the ceiling.
The lens acts to concentrate the light, even when the sun is low in the sky, while filtering out 99% of harmful UV rays. ODL Tubular Skylights are designed to minimize heat gain in the home and exceed government ENERGY STAR standards. They are available in 10” and 14” diameter models, both of which fit between standard rafters and ceiling joists to allow light in problem areas such as hallways, baths, kitchens, and closets.
The 10” diameter skylight illuminates rooms as large as 150 square feet with up to 3,750 lumens of light—the equivalent of three 100-watt bulbs—while the 14” model can provide enough light for an area twice that size. An optional light kit allows light at night as well. ODL Tubular Skylights can be installed on roofs with a minimum of 3” rise per foot up to a 12” slope.
Due to the reflective qualities of the tube, the ceiling diffuser can be offset up to a 45 degree angle from the skylight, allowing it to fit around obstructions. Once the skylight has been installed, it will provide natural light during the day free of charge, reducing the cost of your electric bills.
ODL Tubular Skylights come with a lifetime limited warrenty and are available online at The Home Depot.
5 Comments on “Saving Energy with a Tubular Skylight”
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April 14th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Tubular Skylights are the future lighting source. I have three of them installed and my energy costs have gone down by id say almost 20 to 30 percent.
August 14th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Hi,
this devise is very attractive!
what is the material of pipes?
Ben Erickson Says:August 19th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Mohamad,
The tubes in the ODL tubular skylights are made of metal with a reflective coating in the interior.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I believe your company is the one that sells the solar tube at Sam’s club. I am looking at buying a couple of them but the tube is too short. Do you sell extensions, if so how much are they? Also how much for a tube that can accomodate a light bulb?
Ben Erickson Says:November 3rd, 2009 at 10:23 am
Hi Steve,
We do not sell tubular skylights, but if you click on the ODL link in the article above, it will take you to the website of the company that makes them to contact them about it.