Solar Tube in Bedroom

[roob1]

Anyone had any experience with having a solar tube in a bedroom, either as a perspective buyer or an owner? Thinking of installing one in a very dark, spare bedroom used as an office. I don't like having a lamp on during the day.

I am aware you can have a powered cover for the tube installed.

[PilotAlan]

If you may ever sell, I’d get the power cover. As a buyer, without that would be a problem if I had any thought of ever using that as a guest/visitor bedroom.

[kkingston57]

Anyone had any experience with having a solar tube in a bedroom, either as a perspective buyer or an owner? Thinking of installing one in a very dark, spare bedroom used as an office. I don't like having a lamp on during the day.

I am aware you can have a powered cover for the tube installed.

As long as it is only used as an office. Our tube creates light when the moon is out.

[JoelJohnson]

I saw one solar tube in a bathroom that was over a beam, they just left it like that.

[villagetinker]

I never understood the expense of a solar tube versus installing a light, several hundred dollars versus a couple hundred dollars, and the electric light works at night. You also have to consider the possibility of a leak with the solar tube and possible yellowing of the plastic outside cone. IMHO, an LED light with a wall switch those senses when the room is in use will do everything you want and save to a lot of money.

[Stu from NYC]

If you may ever sell, I’d get the power cover. As a buyer, without that would be a problem if I had any thought of ever using that as a guest/visitor bedroom.

Power cover would be a must.

[UpNorth]

Too bright some days, ugly dim light on overcast days. Invest in some nice lamps with LED bulbs instead.

[CarlR33]

I never understood the expense of a solar tube versus installing a light, several hundred dollars versus a couple hundred dollars, and the electric light works at night. You also have to consider the possibility of a leak with the solar tube and possible yellowing of the plastic outside cone. IMHO, an LED light with a wall switch those senses when the room is in use will do everything you want and save to a lot of money.Ditto, I just had an estimate for dimmable led flat panel lighting (similar to old can lighting but recessed). Very reasonable price and with the new technology you can choose your light color.

[Altavia]

I never understood the expense of a solar tube versus installing a light, several hundred dollars versus a couple hundred dollars, and the electric light works at night. You also have to consider the possibility of a leak with the solar tube and possible yellowing of the plastic outside cone. IMHO, an LED light with a wall switch those senses when the room is in use will do everything you want and save to a lot of money.

Good advise.

Agree, especially with the leak risk.

[wisbad1]

I never understood the expense of a solar tube versus installing a light, several hundred dollars versus a couple hundred dollars, and the electric light works at night. You also have to consider the possibility of a leak with the solar tube and possible yellowing of the plastic outside cone. IMHO, an LED light with a wall switch those senses when the room is in use will do everything you want and save to a lot of money.
Tinker, it’s like everything here, monkey see, monkey do. Trees,driveways, roofs,ect.

[Tvflguy]

We have 2 solar tubes in our very large interior living room. It brings in natural light through the daytime. Does not impact TV watching during the day. Love.

And we have one solar tube in guest bathroom with no windows. Also have a solar light which recharges in the day to bring a warm just-bright-enough to see the toilet in the dead of night.

Great way to upgrade the house IMO.

[JudyLife]

We have solar tubes in both bathrooms and master closet & we love them. Not in bedrooms. Solar Guys did a great job and never have we had any problem 8 years on.

[Tomptomp]

You might need to cover it every night. Imagine waking to a bright light !

[MandoMan]

Anyone had any experience with having a solar tube in a bedroom, either as a perspective buyer or an owner? Thinking of installing one in a very dark, spare bedroom used as an office. I don't like having a lamp on during the day.

I am aware you can have a powered cover for the tube installed.

I had one installed in a dark guest room I used as an office and loved the result. I wanted to put one in the master bedroom, too, but the SolaTube guys said it would be too bright and might affect retail value. But I don’t usually sleep in the daytime, and I don’t need it dark to nap. I had two installed in the living room and one in each bathroom. They were great aesthetically. I no longer needed lights on in the living room in the daytime. Of course, it’s not a sensible decision if your goal is to cut down on electricity charges. It might take twenty years or more to save in electricity the cost of a SolaTube.

[sdeikenberry]

We have solar tubes in the kitchen, bathrooms, and living room. Wonderful natural light, and even moonlight at night. Love them...worth the investment...would NOT want them in the bedrooms unless there was a power cover...but if the power goes out and the cover is open then that's a problem for sleeping...so no, not in bedrooms.

[HJBeck]

We have them in kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and think they are great. We would not want them in bedrooms because they are too bright, and could impact sleep.

[Wilson02852]

Change the fan out to one with a low profile containing a light. Most new ones allow light levels and color to be adjusted. For work area (desk) use a task light. I use a brass bankers lamp and it looks great on the desk.

[fireman]

Anyone had any experience with having a solar tube in a bedroom, either as a perspective buyer or an owner? Thinking of installing one in a very dark, spare bedroom used as an office. I don't like having a lamp on during the day.

I am aware you can have a powered cover for the tube installed.

We have 4 total, 1 in kitchen, 1 in the dining room, 1 in the living room and 1 in the master bedroom. We love how much natural light it brings in. They have solar powered dampers that can easily be closed. The master bedroom damper auto closes at sunset.
Solar Guys installed and they look great.

[RoseyRed]

good point for sure!

I never understood the expense of a solar tube versus installing a light, several hundred dollars versus a couple hundred dollars, and the electric light works at night. You also have to consider the possibility of a leak with the solar tube and possible yellowing of the plastic outside cone. IMHO, an LED light with a wall switch those senses when the room is in use will do everything you want and save to a lot of money.