Solar tubes offer a compact, budget-friendly alternative to traditional skylights. They channel natural sunlight from your roof through a reflective tube and into darker areas of your home, like hallways, bathrooms, or closets. In this guide, we’ll break down how solar tubes work, what they cost, and whether they’re the right fit for your home.
Note: Cost data in this article was sourced from Angi.
Get Estimates from Solar Experts in Your Area
Totally free, no phone call required
Clicking “Get Your Estimate” submits your data to Home Service Quotes, which will process your data in accordance with the Home Service Quotes Privacy Policy.
How Does a Solar Tube Work?
Solar tubes, also known as sun tunnels, sun tubes, tubular skylights, or light tubes, capture sunlight through a clear dome installed on your home’s roof. The dome is typically weather-resistant acrylic or glass, and the size and design vary by brand. For example, Velux specializes in low-profile domes, while Solatube kits have a more prominent dome perched atop a short chimney-like structure.
Beneath the dome is a tube lined with a super-reflective coating that amplifies sunlight and directs it into your home. It may be either rigid or flexible, and it may include a diffuser that disperses the light into the rooms homeowners want to brighten.
The solar tube diffuser resembles a recessed light fixture, and some models are equipped with a small solar panel, batteries, and an LED light so they can continue illuminating rooms at night. Most models filter ultraviolet (UV) rays at either the dome or the diffuser.
Types of Solar Tubes
There are several types of solar tubes to consider, each with distinct features and functionalities:
- Rigid solar tubes: These are the most common type of solar tubes, offering a direct path from your home’s roof to the interior space. Their design minimizes light loss and maximizes brightness. Rigid solar tubes are ideal for long, straight runs, where bends in the tubing would create energy losses and reduce efficiency.
- Flexible solar tubes: Flexible solar tubes can bend around roof obstructions like chimneys and pipes, providing easier installation in tricky spaces. However, the bends may reduce light transmission compared to the rigid version due to scattering and absorption.
- Hybrid solar tubes: Hybrid solar tubes incorporate electric lighting to complement natural daylight, providing consistent illumination even after sunset while maximizing brightness and energy efficiency.
- Low-profile solar tubes: Designed for locations with limitations on rooftop protrusions, low-profile configurations sit closer to the roofline. Their design helps maintain a clean appearance, but these solar tubes may not capture as much light as taller models.
- Ventilated solar tubes: These models combine daylighting and ventilation. They are ideal for places needing fresh air and enhanced lighting, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
Pros and Cons of Solar Tubes
Sun tunnels are an energy-efficient way to brighten rooms with natural sunlight, but they come with durability, view, and solar limitations.
Pros
Solar tubes are smart investments for the following reasons:
- Affordability: Solar tubes cost less upfront than traditional skylights when it comes to materials and labor. Using them also leads to energy savings and lower electricity bills.
- Easy installation: Solar tubes are relatively easy to install and require fewer modifications and less maintenance work than skylights or windows.
- Energy efficiency: Solar tubes provide indirect light with limited heat transfer, which puts less strain on your home’s air conditioning system. They also provide light without using electricity.
- Health benefits: The natural sunlight from solar tubes can boost vitamin D levels and improve mood, productivity, and sleep.
- Tax incentives: Solar tubes that meet ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification requirements may qualify your household for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Tubes that generate solar energy may qualify for the federal solar tax credit.
Cons
Solar tubes have drawbacks that homeowners should consider, including the following:
- Durability: Solar tubes’ acrylic domes don’t withstand extreme weather, and neither do glass. Shoddy installation or maintenance can leave solar tubes susceptible to leaks and condensation issues, too.
- No view or ventilation: Solar tubes don’t provide a view of the outside, and you can’t open them to allow fresh air inside.
- Solar limitations: Solar tubes only work during the day unless equipped with a solar panel and LED lights. They don’t help heat your home during cold weather.
- Upfront cost: Solar tubes cost less than skylights but still require a significant initial investment.
Solar Tubes vs. Skylights
Skylights and solar tubes both bring natural light into your home, reducing your reliance on artificial lighting and improving energy efficiency. However, they differ in cost, installation, and benefits.
The benefits of skylights include a clear view of the sky, natural ventilation in vented models, and passive solar heating, which can help lower heating costs in colder climates. They come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, but skylight installation costs can be high due to the significant roof and drywall modifications required. Skylights also need regular cleaning and maintenance, similar to standard windows.
Solar tubes, on the other hand, are a more affordable and low-maintenance alternative. They’re easier to install and don’t require major structural changes. While they don’t provide ventilation or a view of the sky, they’re popular in warmer climates because they offer natural light without excess heat. Some models even feature built-in solar panels and LED lights for nighttime illumination.
Solar Tube Installation Process
Solar tube installation can offer a do-it-yourself (DIY0-friendly process for homeowners who have the right tools and skills. If you plan to do it yourself, ensure your solar tube kit includes detailed instructions.
Here’s an outline of the general installation process:
- Inspect the attic: Inspect your attic for obstacles affecting your solar tube installation, such as wires or ductwork. Measure the distance between the rafters or trusses to ensure a solar tube will fit.
- Cut the roof opening: Choose an appropriate location on your roof and cut an opening. Factor in the roof pitch, distance from vent stacks, other roof features, and space between rafters or trusses.
- Install the flashing: Loosen the shingles around the hole and apply caulk to the underside of the flashing collar. Slip the flashing under the shingles and screw it into place.
- Cut the ceiling hole: Identify where the diffuser will sit and cut a hole in the ceiling to make space for it.
- Assemble the tube: Assemble and install the tube according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Attach the dome: Fasten the dome onto the flashing and add a weather-proof seal.
- Install the diffuser: Install the diffuser and any related components. Attach the end of the tube to the diffuser.
- Seal and finish: Check for gaps or leaks and seal any seams. Install trim or finishing pieces.
Before installing solar tube lighting, check the terms of your roof warranty and weigh the risk of improper installation. Also, consider your roofing materials and whether you need to install an adapter.
Cost of Solar Tubes
Solar tubes typically cost between $600 and $1,000 each, including professional installation. Prices vary depending on the following factors:
- Climate: In regions with high humidity, it’s advisable to wrap the tube in R-15 or R-19 insulation to minimize condensation, which can add to the overall cost.
- Rafter spacing: Standard home rafters are spaced 16 inches apart. If your home’s rafters have non-standard spacing, you may need a custom-sized tube, potentially increasing expenses.
- Roof type: Roofs made of materials other than asphalt shingles, such as metal or tile, often require specialized adapters for installation, leading to higher material and labor costs.
- Tube diameter: Larger diameter tubes allow more light to enter, but come with increased material costs.
If you’re handy, installing a solar tube yourself could save you around $150–$250. Most DIY kits cost between $200 and $700, though you’ll want to factor in any extra tools or materials. However, a poor installation could lead to roof leaks or void your warranty. So, unless you’ve done similar projects before, it might be worth leaving this one to the pros.
Our Conclusion
Solar tubes help homeowners funnel natural light into their households even on cloudy days, and they’re less expensive to install than skylights. However, they don’t provide ventilation or a view. We recommend solar tubes in spaces where traditional skylights or windows don’t work, such as closets. Weigh the pros and cons of solar tubes more critically when considering lighting other spaces.
FAQs About Solar Tubes
Do solar tubes add heat to a house?
No, solar tubes do not add heat to the house. Their design provides natural light with very little heat transfer.
How long do solar tubes last?
Most solar tubes last between 10 and 20 years, which is about as long as other roofing materials. The exact lifespan of a solar tube depends on climate, installation quality, and maintenance. Check the manufacturer’s warranty to determine how long your specific model should last and how to extend its lifespan.
What is the difference between a solar tube and a radiant barrier?
Solar tubes bring natural light into a building and minimize heat gain, while radiant barriers reflect heat. Radiant barriers are reflective materials that you install over insulation, typically in the attic, to reduce heat gain and cooling costs.
Do solar tubes cause roof leaks?
No, solar tubes do not cause roof leaks if properly installed, sealed, and maintained. They are designed with weather-proof components to ensure a complete seal.
Do solar tubes need maintenance?
Solar tubes are low-maintenance but not maintenance-free. You should periodically check the exterior dome and clear away debris, especially after extreme weather events. You should also inspect seals and joints for leaks.
