Forget CFLs and LEDs, the greenest way to light a room is obviously with sunlight. However, it's not always easy to get that sunlight into the darker corners of our homes.
Velux Sun Tunnel Skylights
West Coast Green 2008
At West Coast Green, we had the opportunity to chat with the people at Velux. They produce Sun Tunnel Skylights -- a tubular skylight that can bring sunlight into poorly lit places like closets, hallways, small bathrooms, etc.
The people at Velux assured us that installation of a Sun Tunnel is very quick and simple (as opposed to a traditional skylight). According to this article in Popular Mechanics, a Sun Tunnel can be installed by an "experienced person" in about 3 hours, without significantly disturbing your existing roofing.
We love the idea of using sunlight in the home as opposed to artificial light -- it's healthier and obviously uses less energy. According to the Velux web site, electric lighting accounts for one-fifth of the total electrical energy used in the U.S. We wonder how much of that energy is being used during daylight hours?
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These skylights are fantastic. My client had them in all of her closets and unless the sun was down, you had more than adequate light. They are great and if you are buildin a house, that's the time to specify them. Much more cost effective than putting them in later.
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I have seen these in use at my friends house in a bathroom with no windows. I actually thought the lights were on...it works GREAT. Highly recommended.
view splink's profile
we almost installed a similar product (same thing, different brand) in our hallway and kitchen, but because we wanted to include a light fixture so we could use the light in the evenings, it was prohibitively expensive. of course, we also have a flat roof, which i know made installation a lot more complicated and thus more expensive.
view muro.lamere's profile
We use these all the time in our projects - they're great for hallways, bathrooms and closets where you may not always have access to natural light. They get so bright you'll look for a switch to turn them off. Most of the companies who make these also have an integrated light option, so that a light bulb is built-in that can be used a night - that way you're not pocking up you're ceilings with both solartubes and light fixtures.
view RLW's profile
If you are considering these for public spaces in your home, see one installed first before you put it in to make sure you like the look of it and the light. I have one in the closet and the light looks more like a very intense fluorescent light rather than natural light (which it is, though heavily reflected). Great for closets, but I wouldn't want it in my kitchen or living room - just a personal preference.
view LilyC's profile