Solar tubes

[Tom Hannon]

We have an Iris in Buttonwood. Because the lanai is an extension of the living room area, the living room doesn't get much sunlight. Yes, this can be a good thing. Less furniture fade from sun, cooler temps etc. But we would like to have the room a little more sunny. It appears solar tubes are the way to go. Does anyone have solar tubes in living room of an Iris? If so, is it possible to stop over within the next week or so to check it out. I don't want to waste my $$$ if they don't do the trick.

[ljones190]

We have an Iris in Buttonwood. Because the lanai is an extension of the living room area, the living room doesn't get much sunlight. Yes, this can be a good thing. Less furniture fade from sun, cooler temps etc. But we would like to have the room a little more sunny. It appears solar tubes are the way to go. Does anyone have solar tubes in living room of an Iris? If so, is it possible to stop over within the next week or so to check it out. I don't want to waste my $$$ if they don't do the trick.

Tom,

We just put in a 14" Solar tube in our Jasmine, which was also a little dark. The product is quite amazing and changed the room completely. Do not know about an Iris and your particular layout. The Solar people indicate there is no heat or uv rays from the tube, do not understand how that is but accept that it is accurate. The price was reasonable and was done within 1 1/2 hours was no mess.

[Tom Hannon]

Tom,

We just put in a 14" Solar tube in our Jasmine, which was also a little dark. The product is quite amazing and changed the room completely. Do not know about an Iris and your particular layout. The Solar people indicate there is no heat or uv rays from the tube, do not understand how that is but accept that it is accurate. The price was reasonable and was done within 1 1/2 hours was no mess.

I believe the Jasmine is the same layout as the Iris. The difference the Iris is concrete.

[Becky]

Jasmine is the same as the Wisteria except Jasmine is stucco. Lily is the vinyl of the Iris.

Becky

[Chopper]

Actually the Lilac is the wood framed version of the Iris. The Lily is very similar to the Iris. And, for your purpose, the living, kitchen and lanai areas are the same as the Iris. Maybe someone with a Lily has installed a Solar Tube in the living room.

[golfermike22]

Tom,

We just put in a 14" Solar tube in our Jasmine, which was also a little dark. The product is quite amazing and changed the room completely. Do not know about an Iris and your particular layout. The Solar people indicate there is no heat or uv rays from the tube, do not understand how that is but accept that it is accurate. The price was reasonable and was done within 1 1/2 hours was no mess.

We have a similar issue with an overhang over the lanai causinig our kitchen to be on the shadowy/dark side. Any recommendations on where to go for a solar tube? I did see a place on my way to Ocala on the left, I forget which main route it was. I'm still not fully acquainted with the whole area.

[skip0358]

Tom I put 2 in the living room of the Jasmine. You can stop over anytime

[k2at]

Tom, I live in Bonnybrook and put two in. U can come over any time, just leave me an email and I will get back to u.

[ljones190]

We have a similar issue with an overhang over the lanai causinig our kitchen to be on the shadowy/dark side. Any recommendations on where to go for a solar tube? I did see a place on my way to Ocala on the left, I forget which main route it was. I'm still not fully acquainted with the whole area.

The Solar Guys, 352-307-7077, Josh.

[Double Bogie]

We are also interested in the solar tubes and found two vendors at the art fair yesterday in SS. I believe that it is also going on today. Hope this helps!
Mrs DB

[Tom Hannon]

We are also interested in the solar tubes and found two vendors at the art fair yesterday in SS. I believe that it is also going on today. Hope this helps!
Mrs DB

Yes, DB. I spoke to The Solar Guys today and I set up an appointment to have one installed. Also thinking of going the solar attic fans as well. Ship - an early reply said he used 2 solar tubes. Was hoping to get away with one. I was hoping to get away with $1500 for everything but it looks like I might need two fans and two solars crossing over the 2K line. OUCH...

[ijusluvit]

The Solar Guys do a pretty good job, no mess, etc., but I their prices seem a little high. Anybody find a good company that will put in a 12" lite for less than $459?

[Tom Hannon]

The Solar Guys do a pretty good job, no mess, etc., but I their prices seem a little high. Anybody find a good company that will put in a 12" lite for less than $459?

The price for a 14" light is $529. I thought it was high but what do I know?

The attic fans were $459

[K9-Lovers]

All solar tubes are not made equally. Do your homework and do not jump at the lowest price. Find out how much light is actually refracted into your space.

We used the Solar Guys are are highly pleased. However, do make sure they scoot the loose insulation back around the area where the tube was installed. They move it aside during installation, and sometimes forget to move it back.

[golfermike22]

The Solar Guys, 352-307-7077, Josh.

Thanks Josh.

[nkrifats]

Used Solar Guys for 3 tubes and solar fan in our Patio Villa. Outstanding job and am very pleased with results.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

As an add-on to this thread, though a tad off-topic (apologies!!):

The resale we bought had a couple of solar tubes already installed - one was in the kitchen. The prior owners had the kitchen tube installed to take the place of a ceiling light that was there. They had a light bulb integrated into the solar tube that would be controlled by the wall switch that was already in place for the removed ceiling light. Gives the benefit of having both the solar tube for daytime light as well as a traditional 'switched' light bulb for other times. One less "thing" on your ceiling!

Bill :)

[marybb]

Good to hear positive feedback regarding solar tubes. Hubbie wants to have a couple installed, guess I'll go along with it.

[FoPAA]

Approximately how long does it take to get an an appointment with the Solar Guys?
We'll be down for a week in May, do I need to make an appointment now? It looks like we'll be back in June, but I'd like to take care of it in May.

[ljones190]

Approximately how long does it take to get an an appointment with the Solar Guys?
We'll be down for a week in May, do I need to make an appointment now? It looks like we'll be back in June, but I'd like to take care of it in May.

We ordered late March for installation April 11th, I think they were booked for about a week at that time. Give them a call or e-mail them they are very responsive, remember they need to get a building permit prior to the work.

[lightworker888]

We were up at SS and saw the 2 solar tube vendors. I was going to go with Solar Guys but now wonder about Solar Lights as they have a longer (25 yr) warranty and seem to have a good reflective system. Has anyone used Solar Lights? Also thinking of an attic fan and again the warranty is longer. Thanks for any info.

LW888

[skip0358]

I went with Solar Guys. I have 5 solar tubes and 2 solar attic fans. Very neat, on time and a professional job. Have recomended them to several people and they're all satisfied as well.

[oceangirl]

Yes, DB. I spoke to The Solar Guys today and I set up an appointment to have one installed. Also thinking of going the solar attic fans as well. Ship - an early reply said he used 2 solar tubes. Was hoping to get away with one. I was hoping to get away with $1500 for everything but it looks like I might need two fans and two solars crossing over the 2K line. OUCH...

Tom, it sounds like you are in Buttonwood fulltime. Our home in Buttonwood wil be ready mid June. We are also interested in getting attic fans. Let me know your thoughts. See you soon.:ho:

[Becky]

Oh Chopper you are right! Lilac is frame version of Iris. I used Solar Guys and have been very happy with them. Put 3 in and an attic fan. Coming Friday to install another in kitchen. Solar Guys are very good!

Becky

[LELANDJANE]

I called last Thurs. and they gave an estimate over the phone.
The tech is coming next Monday to look and make sure where
we're thinking about the 3 will be the right placement. So about
10 days. I don't know when the installation will be. They've already
ordered the building permit.

[LittleDog]

We were up at SS and saw the 2 solar tube vendors. I was going to go with Solar Guys but now wonder about Solar Lights as they have a longer (25 yr) warranty and seem to have a good reflective system. Has anyone used Solar Lights? Also thinking of an attic fan and again the warranty is longer. Thanks for any info.

LW888

I've used Solar Lights for 1 attic fan and 3 solar tubes. In addition they sold me a device that sits on my hot water heater and gives me instant hot water in my bathroom. I used to have to run the water for a while to get it hot. In any case I was happy with the work they did but don't know whether they are more expensive or less expensive than Solar Guys.

John

[Tom Hannon]

I called last Thurs. and they gave an estimate over the phone.
The tech is coming next Monday to look and make sure where
we're thinking about the 3 will be the right placement. So about
10 days. I don't know when the installation will be. They've already
ordered the building permit.

The Solar Guys are coming May 3rd to do the solar fans and tubes. Not sure if I will need 1 or 2 tubes but I will make that decision after I see Skip's setup tomorrow.

[katezbox]

I went with Solar Guys. I have 5 solar tubes and 2 solar attic fans. Very neat, on time and a professional job. Have recomended them to several people and they're all satisfied as well.

Skip,

I would love to have a peek as well!

Thx,

k

[Tom Hannon]

Oh Chopper you are right! Lilac is frame version of Iris. I used Solar Guys and have been very happy with them. Put 3 in and an attic fan. Coming Friday to install another in kitchen. Solar Guys are very good!

Becky

Hi Becky. I am trying to save a few bucks. Can I get away with one attic fan in my Iris?

[Becky]

I have a Wisteria and only needed one fan. But with an Iris I think you would need two fans. Call and ask them!

Becky

[Bob45]

I've used Solar Lights for 1 attic fan and 3 solar tubes. In addition they sold me a device that sits on my hot water heater and gives me instant hot water in my bathroom. I used to have to run the water for a while to get it hot. In any case I was happy with the work they did but don't know whether they are more expensive or less expensive than Solar Guys.

John

John,
I am wondering about the device that's on the hot water heater. What is it? What was involved installing it?

Bob

[LittleDog]

John,
I am wondering about the device that's on the hot water heater. What is it? What was involved installing it?

Bob

It sits on top of the water heater and there is a device under the bathroom sink. From what I understand it basically circulates hot water so that when you turn on the hot water you get it. There is a clock on top of the unit so that you can program when you want the hot water. I have set it for morning, mid afternoon, and evening. You might want to call the Solar Lights guys to get the information.

Wish I could be more informative.

John

[kerry9]

:MOJE_whot:what is the price

[golfermike22]

It sits on top of the water heater and there is a device under the bathroom sink. From what I understand it basically circulates hot water so that when you turn on the hot water you get it. There is a clock on top of the unit so that you can program when you want the hot water. I have set it for morning, mid afternoon, and evening. You might want to call the Solar Lights guys to get the information.

Wish I could be more informative.

John

Aren't there devices that sit right under the sink in question and provide instant hotwater without going to the hotwater tank? It's kinda what I was thinking of doing but have not done the research yet. The device you mention appears to circulate hot water from the hot water tank. Wouldn't that be an engery hog? In my CYV the hot water tank to the master bathroom is at opposite ends. It takes forever to get hot water from the tank in the garage.