Conventional Skylights vs. Tubular Skylights

Posted on August 17, 2007 by Joyce Benson   Add a Comment |
Tag(s): Energy, Green Building

What the heck is a tubular skylight? It’s an energy efficient, high performance tube whose reflective dome lens top rises just above the roofline. It captures pure sunlight and evenly disperses it throughout a room at the ceiling end. Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of advertising for tubular skylights that have piqued my interest. Are they better than skylights?

They do seem to have many perks: Energy Star rated models, dimmer switches, vent attachments, electric light options (for when the sun goes down), quality light even on cloudy days, blocking of nearly all UVA, B and C rays, quick and easy installation, residential and commercial applications, economical, and extremely durable and weather tight.

Skylights, on the other hand, don’t emit as much light as tubular skylights and the light is not as diffused resulting in more of a spotlight effect. They are not as energy efficient due to heat loss/gain, and installation/construction is more time-consuming and involved.

Right now, local rebates and federal tax credits apply for Energy Star rated skylights (and tubular skylights), as well as for other energy-conserving home or commercial building improvements.

Comments