Benefits of a Solatube

"Solatube is probably the best, most effective and original free daylight system available".

It is the perfect natural lighting solution to brighten up almost any room in any environment, be it the home, factory, office, retail, studio or leisure:

Home corridors, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, lofts, lounges and basements
Work factories, workshops, studios, warehouses
Business offices, receptions, meeting rooms, corridors
Retail shops
Leisure restaurants, pubs, clubs, sports halls, gyms

In fact almost anywhere you want daylight, but can't find the space (or planning permission) to fit a window.

Lighting the way to great energy efficiency

With energy bills higher than ever and CO2 emissions still top of the agenda, it's not surprising that building designers are increasingly looking for smart solutions to address these issues. One potential area providing immediate results is building corridors and walkways, where tubular daylighting devices can deliver instant and sizeable savings.

Corridors in buildings such as schools, offices, care homes and hospitals are particularly suited to this solution owing to building configuration and occupancy hours.

Not just light at the end of the tunnel ...

Probably the easiest, and arguably the most overlooked, areas of a building that can offer the potential for significant energy savings are the corridors and hallways. These areas tend to be locked into the heart of a building, often devoid of any natural light and therefore having to be lit by artificial means. They are, however, perfect candidates for tubular daylighting devices.

Corridors usually require a light level of between 100 and 200 lux. Solatube Daylighting Systems easily have the potential to deliver this level of light during the vast proportion of the year. A school, for example, may need to supplement the corridor lighting with artificial units only during the winter months in the last hour or so of the day. Twenty-four hour facilities, such as hospitals, will need additional electric lighting, but could still expect to reduce their consumption by around 30% over the course of a year.

Avery Health Care has employed Solatube Daylighting Systems in their new care facility in Chapel Brampton where 31 Solatube 160 DS units have been installed to provide light to the first floor corridor. In addition to reducing energy usage by around 50%, the corridors also benefit from the more pleasant working and living environment that only natural daylight can bring.

Sunfield School in Kent have incorporated Solatube Daylighting Systems into the corridors of a new extension at their facility for children with special needs and learning difficulties. The Solatube 330DS units (530mm diameter) are linked to movement and light sensors so that the electric lights switch on only if required.

At the Borders General Hospital in Scotland, Solatube Daylighting Systems have been used extensively to illuminate the top floor corridors. As part of a major roof refurbishment, Solatube Daylighting Systems replaced the old traditional roof lights that had been originally installed.

The use of tubular daylighting devices bought many benefits to the building over the original roof lights; better light delivery to the corridors which in turn reduced the need for electric light, total integration with the suspended ceiling system, and far greater security and safety on the roof.

Alternative lighting solution

As an alternative, natural lighting solution, Solatube light pipes offer one of the easiest and most affordable ways to bring daylight into windowless rooms that need more light. They provide sunlight and daylight to brighten up a room, at home and in the working environment and are ideal where planning restrictions prevent the use of a window.

Whilst its direct effect is to eliminate the cost of using electric lights during daylight hours, this compact system is also a far more efficient and effective alternative to skylights and being simple is one of the best energy, cost and space-saving light solutions around.

Cut electricity bills and save money

Replacing lights with free daylight means it's usually bright enough without the lights switched on, thus significantly reducing your electricity bill throughout the year.
In an office environment the savings of a natural lighting solution can be huge if half of more lights are replaced with Solatube.light pipes. Cost savings of only having to fit half the light fittings can also represent a significant saving at point of install.

Eco-friendly, free lighting solution

Ecologically friendly and energy efficient daylight; the Solatube light pipe uses zero electricity and emits no CO2 making it carbon-free lighting, plus there are no working parts so very little can go wrong. Free lighting has got to be the ultimate alternative light option for both home, office and factory.

Natural lighting = good health and wellbeing

Natural light solutions encourage a feeling of well-being and makes dark, enclosed spaces seem less claustrophobic. Free daylight is also much easier on the eye than artificial lighting, and it can help reduce the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Many studies over the years have proved that daylight and sunlight make for healthier people and can actually decrease risk of colon and breast cancer.

In other studies, patients who were put in hospital rooms that were sunny requested less pain medication than patients in windowless rooms.

Sunlight is alternative lighting that provides the body with the means to produce Vitamin D, which helps the body in various ways: It promotes calcium absorption, which deters bone loss; it may help maintain a healthy immune system; it could possibly be a part of the process of cell differentiation.

Click below for more independent facts, figures and studies about how daylight can:

Help save money on lighting costs

Increase productivity

Improve health, concentration, stress and well-being

Better learning and educational environment

Increase retail sales by 40%

Add value to commercial and residential property

Testimonials

See what other people have to say about the Solatube.

Very effective even in very dull weather.

- Mr R, New Milton

In error the builder installed another type of tube - completely useless - I insisted it be exchanged for Solatube, now thrilled with the light produced - thank you.
- Mr C, Bristol

Excellent result, can't believe how much light is coming through.
- Mrs O, North Shields

Better than we'd hoped for!!! Excellent product.
- Mr M, Wilmslow