Solatube Lighting

[jmellc]

I remember Solatube advertising on radio several years ago & never heard anything else. I stumbled on them today in a Google search.

These are skylights with a reflective tube to concentrate light to the fixture. They now have baflles available, switch operated, to darken a room if needed and have backup kits for night use. That seems the best of both worlds.

I have a request out to the nearest dealer for more info. Meanwhile, has anyone here seen or dealt with Solatube?

 

[George Stolz]

Would you believe there are subs in my area that specialize in this sort of thing?

They work adding some natural daylighting into areas with no windows. I don't think they're worth the money, but to each their own. They don't generally light as well as say, a light fixture, but they are nice before we get the power on.

 

[jmellc]

I haven't seen any yet but I like the concept. These have the roof cap, then a reflective tube down to the ceiling. That's something I may be able to sell around here. Lots of people here are into "clean & green". Some of them are even willing to pay for it.

 

[jim dungar]

Remember these 'solar tubes', replace skylights and/or windows, they do not replace luminaires.

 

[jmellc]

Remember these 'solar tubes', replace skylights and/or windows, they do not replace luminaires.

But some have light kit option, so it can be switched on in time of darkness. May be worth looking at.

 

[hillbilly1]

The orange box used to sell them, and I think they still do, havn't looked lately, I had a rental house that had a bathroom with no windows in the center, thought about using one, but put in a skylight instead.

 

[hmspe]

The problem I've seen is color temperature. 3200K fluorescent lamps next to a Solatube look very brown. Solatubes have a different effect than windows since the Solatubes are located on the ceiling next to the luminaires and the Solatubes look a lot like a luminaire. On the last job I designed where the Architect was showing Solatubes I specified adding theatrical gel to the Solatubes to bring the Solatube color temperature closer to the fluorescents.

 

[kwired]

The problem I've seen is color temperature. 3200K fluorescent lamps next to a Solatube look very brown. Solatubes have a different effect than windows since the Solatubes are located on the ceiling next to the luminaires and the Solatubes look a lot like a luminaire. On the last job I designed where the Architect was showing Solatubes I specified adding theatrical gel to the Solatubes to bring the Solatube color temperature closer to the fluorescents.

Why would it be any different than just having a window as far as color temperature goes? It is just a way to bring in natural light. I understand it will be different than window because it is reflected and directed down the tube, but the color temp is not changed. Different weather, seasons, etc are going to change the color and intensity of the light just like a window.

 

[BullsnPyrs]

My parent's townhouse has one in the kitchen. It is effective , looks like a big commercial can light with a lens but very evenly lit.

 

[hmspe]

Why would it be any different than just having a window as far as color temperature goes?

Several things come to mind.

A Solatube is typically ceiling mounted so it is next to the lights. Windows are generally farther away from the lights. Easier to compare things that are close together. Also, windows are typically bright enough that any lights adjacent to the windows are very dim by comparison and any color difference is not overly noticeable.

A Solatube looks like a light fixture, lens and all. Windows, not so much. People see a Solatube and think it is a luminaire. Expectations are different from what is normal for a window, and people tend to see what they expect to see. Even if the light through a window and through a Solatube have exactly the same color temperature the brain "sees" them differently.

A Solatube in effect brings in light from directly overhead. Windows tend to be shaded by structure (to reduce heat gain) or are on the north to provide indirect light. Most windows are tinted, coated, and/or have blinds or curtains to control the light. Solatubes may have a damper, but the damper does not normally change the color or color temperature of the light like tinting or reflecting off colored curtains does.

In the last commercial building I was in that had Solatubes the lights were all Lithonia RT5 with 3500K lamps. Areas with no Solatubes looked normal for an office. Light through the windows was either diffused or was patterns that were expected (rectangles or trapezoids relatively low on the walls and on the floor) and the light through the windows did not make the fluorescents look brownish in those areas. In areas with Solatubes there were bright white spots on the floor directly under the Solatubes, and having blue-while Solatube lenses next to the fluorescents made the fluorescents look dirty. The tenants did not like the lighting in the areas with Solatubes but thought non-Solatube areas were well lit. The Solatubes were added by the architect, not the lighting designer, and there were not enough Solatubes to allow the fluorescents to be turned off and still have the workspaces usable.

To get the fluorescents and Solatubes more alike in color temperature the options are to raise the temperature of the fluorescent lamps or lower the temperature of the Solatubes. Most of my clients want warmer lamps, so changing the Solatubes is the better option.

 

[TobyD]

One of the premier builders in our area has gotten on the " GOING GREEN "mentality .Recently I installed some tube lights equipped with a motorized damper and actually they work really well for their intended use.