Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 17, 2000 02:12am | #1

   *
   we've installed about 30 SunTunnels.. 14 inch & 22 inch..

   never installed a Solar Tube.. they use smaller diameters..and rigid tube.. SunTunnel uses flex tube..

   The SunTunel is very effective for it's purpose..

   good flashing system..

   you need at least a 12 inch roof thickness (distance between the roof sheathing and the ceiling) in order to get the assembly in..

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 20, 2000 03:31am | #2

   *There are quite a few references to "solar tube" in the archives. I vaguely remember someone saying that the tube type sky lights were dimmer than most people expect - the guestimate being that at noon they were only about equivalent to a 60 watt bulb, but I don't remember to which size the reference was.

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   Guest_ | Sep 21, 2000 09:40pm | #3

   *Yes, I have installed them. Owner loved it. I hated it. Go figure.I thought it was not worth the money. It adds less light than a 60w bulb, and you would need 4-5 of them to make any type of difference in a room. They are a complete waste IMHO.The flashing assembly was pretty good, but I would still not want to install one on a flat roof, or any pitch less than a 3/12.

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   Guest_ | Sep 23, 2000 02:54am | #4

   *My story is exactly like Scooter's...near the trickle,aj

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   Guest_ | Sep 23, 2000 04:39am | #5

   *Lesse, 10 cents per kilowatt/hour,60 watt bulb,Used 4 hours a day for 20 years,And ya go through 40 bulbs in 20 years.That's $175.20 in energy costs, plus maybe $20 for bulbs, for a total of $195.20. Over 20 years. I assuming the price per KWH will stay the same for 20 years, and it won't. Lightbulbs will cost more too.How much to buy and install a solartube?Seems to me that it will be a good choice in some places, and bad in others, like most things. I've only seen one, but I don't know which brand it was. The light seemed more blue than the light that comes from a regular skylight, but that makes sense, 'cause the light isn't being softened by the painted lightwell. It gave less light than I expected.

2. 
   Guest_ | Sep 23, 2000 05:26am | #7

   *well, i thought the same thing... but as with all skylights.. the amount of light is related to the size of the aperture...SunTunnel has 2 sizes.. 14 inch and 22 inch..they give a LOT of light.. the small one is appropriate for baths and narrow halls..the 22 will light up a large room..if you have a room with no natural light.. they are a good alternative.. to a standard skylight..you can even drop them into a basement right thru the first floor.....check it out .. they've got a website.... SunTunnel.. not to be confused with SolarTube

2. 
   Bulldog | Sep 23, 2000 05:26am | #6

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   I have a client who would like to have a solartube installed in a stairtower (approximately 10FT round) and I was wondering who else has installed one of these. The roof to which it will be installed has about a 1 pitch on it.