Pros and Cons of Solar Tube Lighting

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Are you looking for a way to have extra light for your house? Look no further! Well, if you need something environmentally friendly and cost-efficient, solar tube lights are the way to go.

Many people have traditional skylights installed in their houses. As technology advances, there are much better options if you want to add natural light in your house other than electric light.

Whether you know them as solar tubes, sun tunnels, light pipes, or solar tube domes, they have become tremendously popular because of their uncountable benefits.

This blog post will explain some of the pros and cons of solar tube lights to help you decide if this renewable light source is what you need right now!

Key Takeaways

• Solar tube lighting provides natural sunlight throughout the day, offering health benefits and the ability to install them anywhere in your house.
• Solar tubes are relatively easy to install, and their cost is lower compared to traditional skylights, making them an economical choice for adding natural light.
• Solar tubes are eco-friendly, reduce electricity bills, and require minimal maintenance due to their curved design. They also block harmful UV rays.

Pros of Solar Tubes

Solar tube, also known as a solar tubular skylight, has ample advantages. Let’s delve into the most significant ones!

Natural Lighting

Do you wish there was a way you could have natural light in your house instead of artificial lighting? Well, installing solar tube lighting systems may just be the solution you’ve been looking for! These light tubes give you direct sunlight throughout the day.

You can also have them installed anywhere in your house’s interior, whether you want them in bedrooms, laundry rooms, or the living room. This natural sunlight will give you lots of Vitamin D, lower your blood pressure, and much more health benefits!

While electric lighting may not provide you with all these benefits, this solar tube light sure does! Natural light is one of the most appealing solar tube pros.

Simple Installation

Now, you might be thinking, something as beneficial as solar tubes has got to have a complicated installation process. Fret not! Installing them is easy as reading the alphabet if you have the know-how of its working.

Despite the fact that most solar tubes are very simple, some individuals may find the process a bit difficult. In this case, the practical solution for this is to hire some professionals to get it installed!

It may cost you extra money, but it’ll definitely be worth it. In fact, the better option would be to get professionals to install it because it can decrease the chance of something going wrong. You may displace some parts which may cause a bigger issue overall.

Low Cost

Solar tubes are available at various price points, typically ranging from a lower cost to a higher one. In comparison, traditional lighting options span a wide price range, starting at a more affordable level and potentially reaching a higher cost, depending on the number of installations and specific requirements.

Which One is Better, Cost Wise?

The solar tube takes the win! Both of them can be expensive, varying on how many lights you decide to install. Solar tubes can save money if you take their environmental benefits into consideration too!

UV Rays

You don’t need to ruin the items inside your house just for natural light. If fabric and other materials are exposed to UV light for a long time, it can fade the color or even cause damage to your furniture.

For this purpose alone, solar tubes are the best option for you! They block the UV rays at surface level. With skylights, your items will be susceptible to the rays. You can prevent them with solar window shades and other items but with solar tubes, you have a default option with natural light!

Low Maintenance

One of the tubular skylights pros is that they are very low maintenance. Since they have a curve design, they don’t collect that much debris and water when it rains.

Skylights on the other hand are prone to such things. You’d need to climb the roof every now and then to ensure there’s little to no dust and other particles on it.

There’s a specific reason why it’s important to make sure there’s no dust on both the skylights and solar tubes. It is because it can cause damage to the tubes in the long run.

Eco-Friendly

If you’re an eco-friendly person and consider the negatives of environmental pollution, solar tube lighting is the best solution for you! Not only does solar-powered systems give free lighting, but it also helps reduce your electricity bill. What are you waiting for? Help out the Earth by switching to this emission-free product!

Cons of Solar Tubes

Although there are many benefits of the solar tube lighting system in comparison to artificial lights, there are many drawbacks of solar tubes. Let’s take a look at a few of them!

Design

One of the biggest drawbacks to solar tubes includes the design. If you opt for a traditional skylight, you’ll be able to get many more options for tube styles. You can get the size and shape customized according to your preference. But with solar tubes, you won’t have this luxury!

The solar tube model is very basic and simplistic. They have a small metallic tube configuration that allows for sunlight to pass. You can pretty much place them anywhere you want but there aren’t many subtle design elements for them.

Blocks Outdoor Views

Do you enjoy the view of passing clouds or just the outdoors in general? Well, afraid to say, solar tubes may wipe you of this luxury! This is one of the major drawbacks to solar tube lighting systems.

Since the solar panels instilled in the tubes need to be placed on the outside to reflect light, you won’t be able to get your outdoor views. Since sun tunnels aren’t directly led outside, the light entering from outside will be beneficial, but not the blockage of your views!

Not Suitable for Every House

You may be bummed out to find that most solar tubes won’t be suitable for every house. Since they come with very few customized options, there are specific requirements you must have.

Here are a few things your house should have if you’re looking to install a sun tunnel.

Roof’s Slope

The roof slope must be between 15 to 65 degrees. If your roof is too steep or completely flat, solar tubes may not be the best option. However, for flat roofs, you can get special solar tubes, but that’s not always the case.

Roofing Material

The preferred material for solar tubes is wood or asphalt. If you have a metal roof or tiles, you can also get solar tubes specially designed to accommodate those materials.

Susceptible to Extreme Temperatures

Since the solar tube lighting system is always outside, it’ll face many extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, most solar tubes provide very low protection against it. Especially in high humidity climates, these daylight pipes become defenseless against water condensation.

You might be wondering, why? It’s because the tube is made from acrylic from usually cracks in case of extreme warmth or extreme cold. This may cause damage to them over time and the cost to repair may be quite significant!

Need Sunlight to Work

These solar tubes need sunlight in order to work since they use solar power. They channel sunlight from the outdoors all day long to provide as much sunlight as they can.

This also means that if it’s cloudy outside, solar tubes will give you weakened light and sometimes not at all! This is a problem, especially during the night.

However, some of the advanced solar tubes have a special feature in which they use solar energy to charge a battery. This battery then allows the tube to emit light evenly during the night and on cloudy days. But, this can really increase the cost of the solar tube overall.

FAQs

Is the Solar Tube Lighting Worth It?

In short, the solar tube is definitely worth it! They give you an effective and eco-friendly solution for lighting. When you compare them to artificial lights, they have many pros and cons but generally, solar tube lighting overpowers.

How long do solar tubes, also called sun tunnels, last?

Solar tube lighting differs from normal lighting systems. They have the capability of lasting from anywhere starting from 2000 hours to 3000 before the light starts to dim. As far as the durability of solar tubes is concerned, they can last for as long as 25 years if extreme external factors don’t come into play.

Expert Insights From Our Solar Panel Installers About Solar Tube Lighting

Solar tube lighting offers an excellent way to bring natural sunlight into your home, enhancing both the ambiance and health benefits without the need for electric lighting.

Senior Solar Installer

One of the greatest advantages of solar tubes is their simple installation process, making them a cost-effective option for homeowners looking to upgrade their lighting systems.

Lead Solar Technician

Solar tubes are particularly eco-friendly, providing free lighting from the sun and helping to reduce electricity bills. They are an ideal choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.

Renewable Energy Specialist

While solar tube lighting is generally low maintenance, it’s important to ensure your roof’s slope and material are compatible to avoid installation issues and maximize efficiency.

Solar Installation Consultant

Our Expertise in Solar Lights

At Solar Panels Network USA, we’re here to provide you with valuable information and support regarding solar lighting. With our experience and understanding of the solar lighting industry, our team of experts is prepared to assist you in finding the right lighting solution for your needs. Whether you’re interested in improving your outdoor spaces, conserving energy, or adopting a more sustainable approach, we’re well-equipped to help. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or inquiries.

Final Thoughts

Now that all the pros and cons of the solar tube have been explained to you, it’s up to you to make the decision. Taking into consideration the costs, design, maintenance of them, etc. decide if this renewable source of power is suitable for you and your room’s architecture.

Even if there are a few disadvantages to this technology, an arguable opinion is that the pros definitely outweigh the cons. If you can afford it and your house has all the requirements, solar tube lighting is definitely something you should install right away!