Year: 2022

Energy Star Rating & NFRC Standards For Skylights

Posted on by solarbright

Several skylight brands advertise their products with the energy star logo attached, the certification and logo of energy star rating are from USA and is given to any product that can be proven to reduce energy usage.

The logo is used by many certified products and skylights is one of them, The Energy star logo is a registered trademark for USEPA and can only be used for the products that have been tested and certified to the NFRC standards.

Manufacturers that have their products tested to NFRC standards and have proven to have minimum performance requirement can then also apply to participate in the Energy Star scheme.

Consumers in USA can take advantage of the federal tax benefits when installing Energy Star qualified windows, doors, and skylights.

The usage of the energy star logo for skylights products was developed for USA climate and the qualification criteria are in the table below and can be found in the link underneath.

 

 

NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) is a US based organisation specialised in rating of fenestration products.

NFRC is a voluntary membership body, Manufactures can join NFRC membership to make their products visible to consumers in US.
Products tested to NFRC standards must be physically tested by an NFRC accredit laboratory like Intertek.

SolarBright Maxlight products have been physically tested to NFRC standards and its energy performance confirmed by Intertek. The U-factor & SHGC values of Maxlight skylights exceed qualification criteria set by energy star scheme, however Solarbright has not applied for the energy star program neither has listed its product with NFRC because SolarBright products are not sold in US market.

In our opinion an Energy Star Rating scheme developed for another specific country’s climate is not relevant to Australia’s market and associating its logo with skylight products outside that specific country is wrong, meaningless, and misleading.

Read Also:

Skylight Warranty – It Is All In The Tube!

Posted on by solarbright

Most Tubular Skylights Only Have A 10-Year Warranty. MaxLight’s Have 20-Years. Why The Big Difference?

If you are considering brightening your home with tubular skylights, you need to consider that not all skylights are made equal. Most so-called “industry leading” tubular skylights come with only a 10-year warranty for the customer, whereas the MaxLight skylight, designed and manufactured in Australia by SolarBright, offers the industry best 20-year warranty on the tube.

Before we explain why, let’s look at the major components that make up a tubular skylight.

All tubular skylights consist of 4 major components:

Skylight Warranty – It Is All In The Tube!

  • The Dome on the roof to collect the light for the skylight.
  • The Roof Flashing that the dome is attached to. The flashing is also attached to the roof and creates a watertight seal for the skylight.
  • The Tube that reflects the collected light down the skylight.
  • The Diffusor (or lens) in the ceiling of the room to deliver and spread the light through the room.

MaxLight Tubes Vs Laminated Tubes

Why is there this major difference in warranties between skylight brands? The answer is all in the skylight tube. Specifically laminated tubes vs the MaxLight highly polished aluminum tube.

The tubes in tubular skylights need to be highly reflective to effectively “beam” sunshine light down the tube through your roof to brighten the room they are installed in. While most skylight brands use laminated tubes, MaxLight skylights use an aluminium tube with a super reflective anodised surface inside the tube to reflect the light through.

Skylight Warranty – It Is All In The Tube!MaxLight Tubular Skylights In a Dining Area

The tubes in laminated skylights are made of aluminium, just like the MaxLight tube – however there is one critical difference. On the inside of the tube they have a laminated plastic reflective coating applied to increase the light reflectivity of the tube. This reflective coating initially offers a small gain in light reflectivity, however from the day of installation the laminated reflective coating begins to deteriorate.

With continued exposure to the ultra-violet rays in sunlight this plastic laminated coating degrades, and the skylight begins to reflect less light into the room. The coating can also delaminate, peeling away from the aluminium tube altogether. This has a major effect on the skylight performance, decreasing the reflectivity of the tube which effects the amount of light coming through to the room.

With MaxLight skylights there is zero chance of delamination as there is no plastic laminated coating. The anodised tube performance does not suffer any damage from the UV light in sunshine. The tube has a reflectivity rating of 98% and performs over its 20-year warranted life time with only minimal degradation.

The benefits to the customer? Peace of mind with double the warranty. You get better performance over time with none of the degradation that happens with a laminated coating on the tube. Who would have thought that some skylight tubes degrade with exposure to the light they are designed to bring into your home?

Well, that’s why they only have a 10-year warranty!

Click Here to Visit the MaxLight Skylight Page

Read Also:

Does Daylight Saving Help Us Reduce Energy Consumption?

Posted on by solarbright

Daylight saving has a long and highly debated history, with Australians divided depending on their graphical location when arguing the pros and cons. For some of us, the extended daylight hours are a blessing, enabling longer leisure and outdoor time. However, for others, daylight saving can be an inconvenience that hinders routine and interrupts circadian rhythms.

But no matter your personal viewpoint on the issue, ultimately, the intention of daylight saving is to do just that: save daylight and, in turn, reduce energy consumption. The jury is still out on the usefulness of the concept, however, some studies have shown that in today’s landscape, daylight saving may no longer be having the impact on energy consumption that was originally envisioned.

Origins

Tasmania was the first state in Australia to observe Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 1916. The concept was initially introduced in Germany during WWI with the goal of reducing the use of artificial light to save fuel. Other countries, including Australia, soon followed and used DST until the end of the war. With WWII, DST was once again introduced as a fuel-saving measure, where it was used from 1942 to 1944.

It took another 20 years until DST was implemented again. Once more, Tasmania was the first state to readopt daylight saving in 1967 while experiencing a severe water shortage. The drought had a dramatic impact on the state’s water storage resulting in power rationing. The state has continued with the process ever since.

Most other states joined Tasmania in reintroducing DST in 1971, however, the Northern Territory outright rejected the idea. Queensland trialled DST during 1971 and again between 1989 and 1992, along with Western Australia, who tried it out between 2006 and 2009 before both states abandoned the concept completely.

Saving Power?

Few studies have been conducted that are specific to Australia. However, one notable research experiment in 2007 investigated the effects of DST during the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. The Australian government extended DST by two months to facilitate the Games, moving the start date to August rather than October. The report found that, when comparing this period with previous years, DST reduced power usage in the evening, but it actually increased demand in the morning. The overall outcome of this particular study showed that DST, in fact, failed to reduce electricity demand.

Changes in lifestyle and technology have also impacted the effectiveness of DST. While there may be longer daylight hours, for those warmer parts of the country, this requires longer periods of cooling – in particular, air conditioning. It’s a considerable convenience, for sure, but also a significant drain on energy consumption. So, where there may have been light-saving benefits during the early days of DST, this is now overshadowed by power-hungry air conditioning.

While the positive effects of daylight saving on energy consumption overall may be difficult to quantify, for you specifically, it really comes down to your individual circumstances if DST is of benefit to you. Where you are located, the weather, and your personal power usage, especially when it comes to air conditioning, will all impact your energy consumption during DST.

Conclusion

The debate regarding DST and the benefits, or lack thereof, rages on with no foreseeable end. However, there is one definitive way to ensure you make the most out of daylight saving and harness the extended hours of the sun: Solar.

Solar produces clean, free energy directly from the sun. A typical household solar system in Australia can reduce your electricity bill by, on average, around $2,000 each year. SolarBright is dedicated to helping you achieve these savings.

From solar panels and power, solar hot water, and solar battery storage, SolarBright provides solar solutions which help you take advantage of daylight saving and ultimately save you money in power costs.

SolarBright also offers a huge range of skylights and ventilation products designed to maximise the comfort and energy efficiency of your home or office.

Contact the expert team at SolarBright to discover more about how solar can help you save on energy costs in your home. Family-owned, this dynamic solar and skylight business has been brightening the homes of Australian families for close to 15 years, helping thousands reduce or eliminate their power bills with their range of energy-saving solar products.

Get in touch today to arrange a free consultation and start experiencing the power-saving benefits of solar with SolarBright.

Read Also:
Creating The Greenest Home On The Block
Solar Batteries and Other Ways to Make the Most of Your Solar Panels

Skylight Installers

Posted on by solarbright

The merits of installing a skylight in your home are numerous. Natural sunlight is healthier, more expressive, and more calming than artificial. However, it is not nearly as common to hear discussion on the benefits of skylights during the wee hours of the night. The impact is not as noticeable, but there are benefits to skylights when the sun goes down, as well.

Moonlight and starlight provides a number of key benefits. Not in the moon-tanning or mystic sense, we’ll leave that realm to itself for the moment, but purely for the psychological element. Moonlight is roughly 500 000 times less intense than sunlight, yet can be strong enough to read or navigate by. There is a profound sense of peace in being bathed in moonlight.

Moon cycles, meanwhile, have been shown to have interesting impacts upon wildlife. Many fish and mammal species focus their feeding and reproductive peaks around full and new moons, a tendency you can set an annual clock to. The moon, and its cycle of wax and wane, does hold some interesting pull over the Earth and its life.

Yep, there is undoubtably something magical about the moonlight.

By engaging our team of skylight installers, you are gaining access to a view that we routinely ignore in the haste of our lives. Give us a call to tap in to this under-appreciated spectacle, with out having to leave the comfort of your own home.

Read More:

Tubular Skylights And Traditional Skylights – What Is The Difference?

Posted on by solarbright

When you want some more natural light in your home, skylights are a great option. But which is better? Tubular skylights or more traditional skylights?

What Are Tubular Skylights?

Tubular skylights offer a different solution for homes especially in situations where traditional skylights aren’t viable. If you have a larger roof cavity or attic, a tubular skylight may be your only option. In a tubular skylight, sunlight is captured through a dome on the roof and reflected down a mirrored tube before reaching the diffuser, which sends light into the home. Diffusers are often much smaller than traditional skylights but still deliver plenty of light. The diffuser also prevents heat from entering the home.

Generally, tubular skylights are much more cost-effective and easier to install.

What Are Traditional Skylights?

Traditional skylights are much larger, and this is part of their appeal. They’re generally square or rectangular and let natural light directly into the home. You can look up during the day and see the sky or gaze at the stars of an evening. This creates a wonderful aesthetic for any home, which is why many people choose the traditional option.

Installation is a much more difficult, and costs are higher, but many people like the overall look and feel of a traditional skylight.

The Main Differences

There are several key differences between traditional and tubular skylights. These differences may sway you one way or another, as it really depends on what you’re looking for when considering skylight installation. Some may look at the outright cost as the major consideration, while others may take a more long-term approach and consider energy efficiency. To help you make the right decision for your home, here are the main differences between the two.

Installation

While most people would hire a professional to install their skylights, the installation process is still important to understand. Why? Because the installation process will go some way to determining the overall cost of your skylights.

The process of installing a traditional skylight is much more complex. There is more carpentry involved, and flashings need to be carefully installed to prevent leaks. In addition, the internal ceiling needs to be finished more carefully to obtain a quality look.

Tubular skylights, on the other hand, can be installed in a couple of hours. The dome is installed on the roof with appropriate flashing, and the tube is extended to the ceiling. The diffuser can be set into the ceiling with only minimal internal work.

Price

When analysing the price difference between traditional and tubular skylights, it’s a little difficult to provide accurate figures. Each style has a budget range all the way through to more premium products with advanced technology. As a rough guide, however, tubular skylights with a metal tube can cost as little as $700 for smaller models and $1,200 for more advanced and larger models.

Traditional skylights, however, are generally more expensive. The prices range from $1,500 up to $3,500, including installation. It can be a pretty stark difference, and a lot of the price variance is down to the complexity of installation.

Energy Efficiency

For those who place a lot of emphasis on long-term benefits, energy efficiency is one of the main considerations. Making use of natural light is always energy-efficient because you don’t need to use electricity to power your lights when you’re getting ample sunlight from above. However, there are more factors at play than just the light.

Depending on their size, traditional skylights are known to deliver more natural light into the home because they cover a larger area. Tubular skylights capture light through a dome on the roof, with the light then being diffused into the home. The major issue is with the transfer of heat. The diffuser on tubular skylights prevents unwanted heat from coming into your living space, which is something traditional skylights don’t offer. So, in summer, you may enjoy natural light with a traditional skylight, but you also get the intense heat, which means your air conditioner needs to work harder to maintain your desired temperature.

To help control the heat let into the home you need to spend up to $500 per traditional skylight for an optional remote-control blind. When the blind is closed this helps to block out the heat, but it also blocks out the light.

Need Help Choosing The Right Skylights In Sydney?

Solar Bright offers a huge range of skylights for all different types of homes. We’re specialists in skylight installation in Sydney, and we can recommend the perfect solution for your home. The Solar Bright team is ready to discuss your needs, and you can always count on us for quality products and installations. Contact us today to find out more!

Creating The Greenest Home On The Block

Posted on by solarbright

You’ll need all the energy you can get to make it through the day. When it comes to your home, it’s all about cutting back. Being a green-minded homeowner, you already know and exercise some of the basics, including keeping the thermostat a bit lower, using energy-saving light bulbs and unplugging appliances when not in use. These small fixes are great ways to start, but there are other activities that can really make a difference and ensure your home runs on less fuel.

Start With A Home Energy Audit

First things first, you need to know exactly where you can conserve energy. By getting an energy audit, you’ll get an analysis on how much energy you’re saving, where you can conserve, and how much you’ll save in the long run. If you’re thinking of a major home improvement, search for a local and certified professional who can assess your needs.

Save Up To 80% Of Your Heating Energy Cost With Solar Hot Water

Water accounts for an estimated 35% of the energy bill if you have an electric hot water system. Save on this cost by replacing your system with an Edwards Roof Top Frost Free System. This uses the highly efficient heat transferring properties of Glycol, a special anti-freeze fluid, to transfer the absorbed energy to heat water indirectly. Not only does this save on home energy costs, but it is also made from stainless steel, making the systems virtually maintenance-free and last a lifetime.

Reduce Air Conditioning Costs With Room Ventilation

Reduce air conditioning running costs, prevent mould in winter, and cool your home in summer with Room Ventilation. It will operate to ventilate the room when the sun shines on the solar panels. This unit is ideal to ventilate any room. This also prevents stale air smell in rooms and promotes fresh air circulation. The ventilation assists room dampness and mould problems, and eliminates cooking smells and fumes in kitchen spaces.

Bring Daylight Into Your Home With Skylights

Bring soft, natural daylight into any room in your house, even in small spaces, with Skylights. These high-grade product harnesses natural light, allowing you to reduce daily energy consumption. These skylights are easy to install and require little to no maintenance. We even have skylight installers who are more than glad to help.

With all these solutions available, you can be more energy efficient while helping conserve the environment. Contact us for more information on how we can assist you in refurbishing the greenest home on your block.

Read More: