Tubular Skylight
Choosing the Right Energy Efficient Skylight
Most skylights are now generally sealed well and the double glazing helps to minimise condensation and heat flow through your skylight.
In Australia, skylights are now also rated by the Skylight energy rating system, and 5-star energy efficient skylights are available. The rating calculates the performance of your unit in winter and summer.
The WERS (Window Energy Rating System) for Skylights provides you with an energy rating analysis and comparison. The scheme takes account of key differences between the energy performance of windows and skylights and how your home will respond to the different units.
Which type of skylight is bet for your home?
When choosing skylights you can select between a sky window, which opens up for ventilation, or a skylight/dome light. Depending upon the manufacturer of your skylight, these may have slightly different names.
Sky windows
Sky windows are particularly suited to rooms that have a cathedral or raked ceiling but no roof space. Having an openable sky window is great for warm summer months to release heat that gathers at your ceiling.
Double-glazing and the use of selective low-e coatings reduce solar transmission. The use of a sealed IGU (Insulated Glazing Unit) allows the option of argon gas in the gap instead of air, which reduces further still the heat transfer through your unit.
Skylights/dome lights
Dome skylights typically have long shafts and a diffuser panel fitted at ceiling level. Ensure that the shaft walls are closed/lined and insulated so not to act as a giant hole in your ceiling insulation.
Tubular skylights reduce absolute heat loss and heat gain because of their small cross-sectional area. This lighting effect relies on your unit’s ability to capture direct-beam sunlight and diffuse it at ceiling level around your room.
They will work best in your home only if your climate has a high incidence of clear, sunny days. On cloudy days the amount of daylight admitted is considerably less than for a large-area, conventional skylight.
So what type of skylight is best suited to my local conditions? Sunrise HomesTasmania has identified four key components to determining the right skylight for your location:
1. Do I live in a hot or cold climate?
2. The angle of the sun in the sky (different in Tasmania to Rockhampton)
3. The amount of overcast versus sunny weather at your place
4. Are there high levels of air pollution and haze?
Skylights can come with internal shutters or other types of protection from summer sun o you can get the most out of your skylight all year round
About the Author
A recognized authority on energy efficient, healthy and sustainable homes, Libe has developed Tasmania’s First Certified GreenSmart home and produced the Homes For Living! on line newsletter and The Better Building Guide. His awards include the 2007 Australian GreenSmart Professional of the Year; Builder of Tasmania’s First Certified GreenSmart House and MBA Tasmania Award For Excellence in Energy Efficient Housing
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EZDOME10 10″ Replacement Dome for Tubular Skylight $19.50 |
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EZ10CD 10″ Clear Diffuser for Tubular Skylights $20.25 |
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ODL EZ10WD 10″ White Diffuser for Tubular Skylights $20.25 |
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EZ10FD 10″ Flat Diffuser for Tubular Skylights $20.25 |
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Sun-Tek Skylights 10″ x 22″ Tubular Extension Kit $25.00 |
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EZDOME14 14″ Replacement Dome for Tubular Skylight $27.00 |
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Natural Light Tubular Skylight Extension 10″ Light Pipe $27.50 |
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ODL EZ10T20 10″x20″ Tubular Skylight Extension Tube $28.50 |
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ODL Ez10t20 – 20in. Extension Tubular Skylight Tube $29.50 |
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ODL EZ14CD 14″ Clear Diffuser for Tubular Skylights $31.95 |
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ODL EZDOME10SW 10″ Replacement Tubular Skylight Dome $32.25 |
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ODL EZ14WD 14″ White Diffuser for Tubular Skylights $34.25 |
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EZ14FD 14″ Flat Diffuser for Tubular Skylights $34.25 |
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ODL Ez14t20 – 20in. Tubular Skylight Extension Tube $39.95 |
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NEW TUBULAR SKYLIGHT 13″ FRAME & DOME PRISM DIFFUSER $39.99 |
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ODL EZDOME14SW 14″ Replacement Tubular Skylight Dome $40.99 |
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8″x 24″ Tube Skylight Extension Kit Skyview Tubelight Tubular $44.99 |
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“Velux” Tubular Skylight Extension 10″ Light Pipe $47.00 |
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ODL ECL10 10″ Solar Powered Tubular Skylight Dimmer $50.00 |
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“Velux” Tubular Skylight Extension 14″ Light Pipe $50.00 |
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Natural Light Tubular Skylight Extension 13″ Light Pipe $50.00 |
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ODL EZ10T48 10″x48″ Extension Tube for Tubular Skylight $63.95 |
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Solar Skylite (DIT Tubular Skylight) Ebergt star Rated $90.00 |
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EZ14T48 14″x48″ Extension tube for tubular skylight $97.35 |
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48″ Extention Tube for EZ Install 10″ Dome Tubular Skylight $99.95 |
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ODL ECL10 10″ Solar Powered Tubular Skylight Dimmer $155.95 |
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13″ Natural Light Tubular Skylight Complete System $185.00 |
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10″ Tubular Skylight skylights tube skylight $185.00 |
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SKYLIGHT TUBELIGHT DIY 12″ Tubular Suntube Solar Tube $189.00 |
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ODL EZ10SCANH 10in. Tubular Skylight $189.99 |
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10″ Natural Light Tubular Skylight Complete System $195.00 |
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Natural Light Energy Systems 10″ Tubular Skylight Kit $199.99 |
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ODL EZ10SCAL TUBULAR SKYLIGHTS 10″Dx48″L ALUMINUM LIGHT SHAFT W/ REFLECTIVE FILM $206.99 |
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10″ Velux Sun Tunnel Tubular Skylight $210.00 |
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ODL Tubular Skylight Kit -10in L x 10in W x 48in H, Composite, # EZ10SCANH $219.99 |
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EZ10SCMNH ODL 10-inch Tubular Skylight Kit $224.33 |
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10″ VELUX Sun Tunnel tubular skylight $226.00 |
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10″ VELUX TUBULAR SKYLIGHT – No heat gain or loss!!! $226.00 |
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13″ Tubular Skylight, skylights $230.00 |
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NEW EZ Install 10″ Dome Tubular Skylight Sky Light Kit $239.00 |
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10in Tubular Skylight Kit sky light DIY $248.98 |
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ODL EZ10SCMNH 10 In. Aluminum Flashing Tubular Skylight $248.99 |
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ODL Tubular Skylight Kit -10in L x 10in W x 48in H, Aluminum, # EZ10SCMNH $269.99 |
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14″ Velux Sun Tunnel Tubular Skylight $289.00 |
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13″ Natural Light Tubular Skylight Complete System $289.99 |
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EZ14SCANL 14″ Odl, Inc Tubular Skylight, $306.99 |
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14″ VELUX TUBULAR SKYLIGHT – No heat gain or loss!!! $316.00 |
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14″ Sun Tunnel, tubular skylight VELUX $317.00 |
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18″ Natural Light Tubular Skylight Complete System $319.99 |
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ODL Tubular Skylight Kit -14in L x 14in W x 48in H, Composite, # EZ14SCANH $329.99 |
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18″ Tubular Skylight, skylights $330.00 |
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ODL EZ10SCG 10″ Formable Flashing Tubular Skylight $352.99 |
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21″ Natural Light Tubular Skylight Complete System $387.00 |
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ODL Tubular Skylight Kit -14in L x 14in W x 48in H, Aluminum, # EZ14SCMNH $399.99 |
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Natural Light Tubular Skylight with Transition Box-21in Dia. Model#21KPT $499.99 |
