Sun Tunnels

Turn off the lights! We’ve all heard it; many of us are doing it more and more often to reduce energy consumption and save some money in our electric bills. However, there are just some areas of the home that never seem to get enough natural light: bathrooms that don’t have windows (and ladies, they do say natural light is the best for applying make-up), kitchens left in the dark ages, and long hallways out of horror movies. Have no fear of the dark! There is a new type of skylight called Sun Tunnels.

Sun Tunnels, developed by Velux (an Energy Star Partner), are various-sized cylindrical tubes rather than a flat sheet of glass, are the easiest to install skylights on the market, and do not admit the heat associated with natural light. The pitch adapters allow the tunnel to efficiently gather sunlight all throughout the day. Thoughtful designers incorporated portions to be painted to blend in with the roofline and ingenious designers introduced reflective materials to the tube to allow more natural light with less needed space.

Velux has developed two different models-the rigid and the flexible. The rigid design is available in Pitched or Low Profile and is ideal for areas of the roof that require a longer tunnel. They are constructed out of highly reflective materials to bounce more light into the home. The Pitched (TMR) sun tunnel “skylight features an innovative one-piece pitched metal flashing that is designed to keep out the elements while providing the optimal angle for gathering light from all directions.” The Low Profile (TGR) sun tunnel skylight differs by having one-piece low profile metal flashing designed specifically to blend into the roofline.

Similar in design, the flexible models also are available in Pitched or Low Profile design and possess mirrored rings around the base of the dome, allowing for maximum light reflection to travel the tunnel into the home. The flexible tube is perfect for making its way through attics and into the main living spaces of the home. As with the rigid models, the Pitched (TMF) and Low Profile (TGF) models differ in the location and angle of the dome top of the sun tunnel tube.

Isn’t it amazing what people can develop to help keep our homes energy efficient and save us money? One installed Sun Tunnel skylight can make a world of difference in the dreary sections of a home and bring in some more sunny Vitamin D, for healthier, happier, more cost-effective lives.