[Jane G]

The Solar Guys are the best in my opinion. Plus there was a tax write-off if you install a solar powered tube!
Do be careful about glare on the tv though, if you want to install one in the family room.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by islandtiempo

You are unnecessarily penetrating the roof for lighting you can't control.

Absolutely incorrect, you can black out light tubes and return them to open.

This is quite easy to verify by a Google search.

[ProfessorDave]

Love our solar tubes. Don't put in bedrooms. We have in master closet, kitchen, family room. See lots of comments about issue with penetrating roofing. Conceptually, sounds right but reality - not a risk. (I was "senior executive" of the largest roofing manufacturer in the country for years - and never heard of a solar tube caused leak - and currently do consulting for a group of 350 large roofing contractors across the country.)

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

5 homes in villages I put 3 in kitchen large and small bathrooms , non n some models the light will spread out of small bath and give you light in hall way . They don’t leak in fact , my roof was wrecked during tornado the solar tube was I damaged when roof was replaced they just worked around it , there is not that much of a glow at full moon to worry about

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

One in master bath might cause bedroom to be too light at night in full moon - make sure they are not near a fan as rotating blade shadows very annoying

I was thinking kind of the same thing, but opposite. It might be too light early in the morning when the sun comes up, which could be a problem if you are not an early bird. In general, solar tubes are great, but avoid light you can not control in sleeping areas. Also, never put a solar tube in a closet, the constant UV rays will quickly fade the color in your clothes.

[rphil11ort]

I just had one installed. they came out and gave me advise on where to install it. Gave me several options and had it installed in about 2 hours. totally clean job. they also guarantee no leaks for the life of the roof. I too used the solar guys. I asked some contractors who to use and they said only use Solar Guys..

[Skoego]

We bought our home here two years ago and it already had 2 solar tubes - one in the living room, one in the second bathroom. I wish I had more (master bath and kitchen.) I had never seen them before. LOVE the natural light. Our living room solar can does not interfere with the TV.

[Heytubes]

I own a solar tube business and will recommend the 290 which is 14 inches in diameter for both rooms. Also, with the solar night light there is a 26% Federal tax credit on all materials and labor. The IRS forms are supplied by the vendor. They do not leak as the same principle flashing system is used as a plumbing boot for your stack pipes. Plumbing boots are more prone to leak as they are rubber and the UV rays deteriorate them, whereas the solar tubes use a metal flashing. I recommend the Solar Guys as they’ve been in business for many years as others have come and gone. The payback is not 30 years, but the benefits are instant. I have 5 here in my home in The Villages. My business is in Atlanta so I can’t help you.

[New Englander]

In the hot/sunny summertime, do solar tubes bring heat into the area where they shine light?

[cathiehines]

Eric Tackett with Solar Tube Guys is excellent. He can advise you on exactly what you need. He's their number one guy and has been with them for many years.

[Raine700]

I think it depends which way your house is facing. I have a Gardenia, similar to Begonia. My living room windows face north so my house is dark. We put a solar tube between living and dining rooms. The master bathroom windows face south and it’s very bright, no solar tube necessary .

[lwmilo]

Consider a solar tube ,midway between living rm area and dinning area. 24 inch will do. You'll be looking for a switch to shut the light off during the day time. That is , until you get use to it. Maybe a small yube in the master bath room.

[dkaufnelson]

I agree that you should wait until after you move in as the sun and the direction you're home and windows face will make a huge difference as to whether you do or don't need solar tubes.the solar guys are fabulous and know exactly where to place solar tubes in every model home built here in The Villages. LED lights might help some people but there is nothing better than natural light and it definitely cheers me up when my home is filled with natural light versus LED light bulbs. I had 2 installed in my wisteria model home. One large one in the living dining area and one smaller one in my kitchen sink area has made a huge difference in the lighting in my home. Many people such as myself are affected by lack of sunlight and this has now made my home so cheerful and bright I just love it. LED light bulbs would never have worked for me as I need natural light. It would be smarter to wait until after you move in before you decide if you do or do not need solar tubes and where you need them. The night light addition allows you to declare the price of those solar tubes as a credit on your income tax now and it gives a nice subtle night light in those areas at night. I just love mine.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

In general, solar tubes are great, but avoid light you can not control in sleeping areas.

Again, this is incorrect light tubes are controllable. That said bedrooms are a bad choice for the tubes I doubt the OP considered them in the BR.

It goes to show two things:. People don't read the replies and people do not believe things if they haven't heard of them before. And that, friends, is sad.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

There are two problems with any and all solar tubes-
1) additional penetrations to any roof, especially in a high wind area are not desirable
2) you can dim a solar tube

We installed additional recessed lighting & with the new LED lamps, very energy efficient if it matters to you

I think you mean you can NOT dim a solar tube. This is the one reason I would not have one in our home. If our pre owned home had one, I would not have considered purchasing the home at all.

I feel very strongly against solar tubes but I know I'm in the minority of folks who live here. There are lots of solar tubes around. You can see all the light shining into the dark sky at night. Beam me up Scotty! LOL.