Author: editor

How Tubular Skylights Work

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When considering skylights for your home, it’s great to understand how tubular skylights work. Many homes have dark areas or rooms that need more light. Tubular skylights are a very straightforward and efficient way to bring natural light into the dark areas of a home. The simplicity of their design makes them very cost effective and a skylight solution worth exploring.

How Tubular Skylights Work

Tubular skylights are designed to bring natural light into a building. Here’s how the main components of a tubular skylight work together to deliver light:

  1. Capture: The process starts on the roof, where a clear dome captures sunlight. This dome is designed to collect and channel sunlight into the tube even during low-light conditions or winter.
  2. Transfer: The light captured in the dome then travels down through a highly reflective tube. This material minimises light loss over distance, allowing the light to efficiently travel over long distances and even through twists and turns. The reflective surface ensures that as much light as possible is reflected down the tube instead of being absorbed or dispersed.
  3. Diffuse: At the end of the tube, inside the building, a ceiling diffuser, or lens, is installed on the ceiling. This distributes light evenly throughout the room. It mimics natural light, reducing glare and hot spots that are common with traditional skylights.

Tubular Skylights – Key Components

Let’s take a more detailed look at the components in a MaxLight skylight from SolarBright to further understand how tubular skylights work. MaxLights are a leading tubular skylight product with an industry best warranty and cutting-edge technology.

Skylight Dome

The MaxLight skylight features a specially designed and engineered Ray Catcher dome. It captures light, even when the sun is at low angles and has a hail resistant shape, making it the optimum in light capturing technology. The crystal-clear surface is designed to capture maximum sunlight, even in low light conditions.

Leakproof Roof Flashing

Designed to suit most Australian roof types, the flashing injection moulded. It is engineered with a pitch to achieve maximum leakproof performance. The dome is attached to this flashing.

Metal Skylight Tube

Many popular tubular skylights use a metal tube laminated inside with a reflective plastic coating. With exposure to UV light it tends deteriorate, delaminate, and deliver less light. However, the best tubular skylights on the market, like the MaxLight has a highly reflective anodised aluminium tube. This ensures it transmits pure white light and it won’t yellow, crack or peel after prolonged UV exposure. Further more it has a 20-year warranty, as opposed to 10-year warranty on other tubes.

Ceiling Diffuser

Diffusers are essential for spreading light effectively around the room. The key here they should do so without letting in excess heat. Many tubular skylights only have a single lens diffuser that is not only less effective at diffusing light but also lets in heat. The MaxLight has a triple lens diffuser that maximises light while minimising heat entering the room. The MaxLight also offers several different types of ceiling diffusers to help better suit your specific needs.

MaxLight Tubular Skylights – the Smart Choice

Due to their design and the unique way how tubular skylights work they deliver many advatages. MaxLight tubular skylights are a hassle free, economical, and environmentally friendly solution for adding light a new or existing home.

The advantages of tubular skylights include:

  • Eliminate dark areas in your home, letting in pure natural light.
  • Quickly and economically installed in just hours, not days.
  • Can be installed without structural changes to the house.
  • The use of leakproof flashings eliminates risk of roof leaks.
  • They let in light, not heat.
  • Covered with a 20-year warranty.
  • Designed and made in Australia.

Exploring how tubular skylights work demonstrates their engineered components make them extremely energy efficient. They can be installed in virtually any part of a home, office, or workplace, to enhance natural light without letting in heat. Besides reducing electricity usage, tubular skylights improve occupants’ well-being by providing more natural light in the indoor environment.

For more information on how tubular skylights work or any of our MaxLight tubular skylights call SolarBright.  Chat to one of our skylight specialist consultants or book a free skylight consultation.

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Roof Whirlybird – Don’t Buy Until You Read This

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When you think of roof ventilation, the image of a roof whirlybird comes to mind. The trusty old favourite is cheap, easy to install, but does it get the job done? Only sometimes – when the wind is blowing.

Good roof ventilation should circulate the air to cool your home in summer, reducing the load on your air-conditioning. It also extracts moisture from your roof space for a healthy home

But just because it’s easy to install with no associated running costs doesn’t make the whirlybird the smartest choice for your home.

Before putting your money down you need to be aware of the main drawbacks of a roof whirlybird.

Roof Whirlybird Drawbacks

Roof Whirlybirds are Wind Dependent

Whirlybirds rely on wind to function. Cheap? Yes. Effective? Not really.

If you live somewhere with too little or too much wind, this will likely compromise the effectiveness of the whirlybird.

On cold windy winter days and nights, your roof whirlybird will be working overtime at extracting the heat you’re desperately trying to keep in. On hot days when there’s no breeze, they’re not working at all, leaving your home full of hot, stale air. Your air-conditioner or heater will be working overtime, driving your power consumption up.

They work when you don’t want them to and don’t work when you need them most.

Low Air Extraction

An average roof whirlybird can’t compete with other options when it comes to air extraction.

The volume of air that most homes need for an effective air change is more than roof whirlybirds are capable of. This often means people need to install multiple whirlybirds on their roof.

Mounting Expenses

On the surface the whirlybird looks cost effective, but the expenses add up.

Generally, more than one roof whirlybird needs to be installed for a home to achieve effective air ventilation. And while an inexpensive whirlybird at Bunnings can be as low as $129, the installation costs (in Sydney) are as expensive as $429 for the first unit and $149 for subsequent units installed on the same day. That means you’re looking at $558 for the cheapest whirlybird plus install, then an extra $278 for every subsequent whirlybird your home needs.

A MaxBreeze MB25 standard Solar Roof Ventilation Fan can do the work of several whirlybirds and is $718 for the unit and a standard single storey install.

Less Moisture Removal

With a primary focus on air ventilation, whirlybirds weren’t designed to remove moisture from roof spaces and have limited effectiveness in this area. If extracting moisture from your roof space is of high importance to help avoid mould, you would need multiple whirlybirds or an alternative roof ventilation solution.

Roof Whirlybirds Require Maintenance

Whirlybirds unfortunately require regular maintenance to ensure optimal air ventilation. The design includes open vents which are prone to dust, dirt, storm damage and debris. Periodic cleaning to remove any obstructions and lubrication are important to keep the whirlybird effective.

Unsightly

Whirlybirds have a high profile that protrudes and can alter the roofline, making it less aesthetically pleasing and more old fashioned looking than the other roof air ventilation options on the market.

Roof Whirlybird vs. MaxBreeze Solar Roof Fan

Let’s put the old Whirlybird head-to-head with the MaxBreeze solar roof fan and see which comes out on top.

Characteristic

Whirlybird

MaxBreeze Solar Fan

Wind Dependent

No breeze, no air extraction.

On a hot, still day the roof

whirlybird won’t work, leaving your home hot and requiring more air conditioning.

Works with or without wind, quietly extracting air to cool your home whin the sun is shining. It onlt urns on when the roof heats up.

Air Extraction

Inefficient at moving large amounts of air.

MaxBreeze MB250 can move up to 7 times as much air as the whirlybird.

Cost

$558 for a cheap roof whirlybird unit + typical install. And then an extra $278 for every subsequent whirlybird your home needs. And you will need more than one!

$718 for the MaxBreeze MB250 unit fully installed. Only one unit required for most standard sized homes.

Moisture Removal

Ineffective at moisture removal.

Powerful ventilation exhaust fan means the MaxBreeze is great at extracting moisture from your roof space.

Mainenance

Requires maintenance to keep vents clear and operational. They are also prone to rust.

Sleek design minimises risk of debris or dirt entering the vents.

Aesthetics

High profile protrudes from roofline and looks old fashioned.

Sleek modern design is less disruptive to your home’s roof.

So is the Roof Whirlybird worth it? When we consider that depending on how the wind is blowing it can remove too much hot air in winter or too little in summer, is ineffective at removing moisture, and homes often require more than one unit; it’s not really the optimal roof ventilation system. Don’t waste your money on a second-rate roof ventilation solution.

For a slightly larger upfront investment, when you purchase a MaxBreeze you get a superior solution. A roof ventilation system that will help to cool your home in summer, remove moisture from the roof, and run for free using solar power while saving you money on energy bills.

For more information on solar roof ventilation exhaust fan options, call SolarBright and talk to one of our energy and ventilation consultants.

 

 

 

SolarBright Awarded Prestigious Top Brand PV Installer 2023 Award

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SolarBright is proud to announce that we have been recognised for our outstanding solar industry leadership with the prestigious Top Brand PV Installer 2023 award from EUPD Research. To receive an EUPD Research award is a significant achievement.

EUPD Research is an international market research and consulting firm with a special focus on renewable energies. EUPD state the aim of the award is “recognizing and celebrating the most impacting installers in the renewable energy industry.”

The EUPD Top Brand PV Installer 2023 credential recognises our commitment to the highest professional standards in the solar industry. For residential and commercial solar customers it means when they choose SolarBright they receive excellent, personalised service. We take the time to meet with each customer to understand their energy requirements and usage. We then design a solar/battery solution tailored to their exact needs – this is the SolarBright difference.

SolarBright was presented this accolade in front of our industry peers at the EUPD awards night held at the All Energy Australia Conference in Melbourne on the 23 October 2023.

Nicholas Yako from SolarBright Proudly Accepts the Top Brand PV Installer Award from EUPD Research.

This latest recognition of industry leadership follows SolarBright being selected as Sydney’s Best Solar Installer 2022 by independent organisation Top Experts. During 2022 Top Experts verified, reviewed and secret shopped 109 solar installers across Sydney. After their impartial decision making process, they ranked SolarBright as the top Sydney solar installer.

At SolarBright our purpose is bring to our customers the best solar and clean energy technology at accessible prices to relieve cost of living pressures and help them move to a more sustainable future. These awards reflect the skills, professionalism and dedication of our employees in successfully achieving these goals for our residential and commercial customers.

MaxLight Tubular Skylights: Benefits, Options And How To Choose

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If you’re thinking of installing a tubular skylight for your home, then the MaxLight is a smart choice. It is the most technologically advanced tubular tubular skylights on the market. However, with several options to choose from, it’s not always easy to know which type of MaxLight skylight you should use in the different parts of your home.

This handy guide will help you make the right choice to maximise natural light flowing into your home, reduce your energy bills and keep the heat outside – where it belongs.

The Key Benefits Of MaxLight Tubular Skylights

Before we discuss which skylights you should use in each room of your house, here are just a few reasons why you should choose MaxLight skylights over other brands.

  • MaxLight skylights are energy rated
  • They come with a unique advanced roof dome
  • Skylight installation is easier
  • MaxLightuses cutting-edge technology
  • Rest assured with seamless leak-proof roof flashing
  • MaxLight features the highest super-reflective anodised tube
  • You have a choice of diffusers and decorative trims
  • They offer an industry-leading 20-year warranty
  • MaxLight are Australian designed, made and owned
  • MaxLight features a unique triple lens diffuser

You can’t go wrong with MaxLightt, as so many of our satisfied customers have already discovered. You can control the light far better with MaxLight, and they’re even energy rated, meaning they are proven to reduce energy costs in your home.

The MaxLight ML250

This skylight features a 250mm tube, hence its name. This is the smallest option in the MaxLight range and should therefore be considered for smaller areas of the home. Ideally, they’re great for lighting rooms up to 18m2. Popular rooms for the MaxLight ML250 include:

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Laundries
  • Walk-in wardrobes

They’re even great for hallways, however, depending on the length of the hallway, you may consider two or more skylights. When choosing the ML250, you also have a range of diffuser options, depending on your requirements. Choose from:

  • Prismax Diffuser – the traditional lens used for most skylights.
  • Warm Diffuser – A matt satin surface that produces warm and soft light.
  • Aurora Diffuser – Transmits and spreads light effectively in every room.
  • Auroramax Diffuser – This Fresnal micro-optic lens is engineered to transmit pure, natural light evenly regardless of the sun’s angle.

The MaxLight ML400

Much like the 250ML, the name here comes from the tube diameter. The MaxLight ML400 features a 400mm diameter tube and diffuser. This is definitely the option for those larger rooms in your house, as it’s capable of spreading light evenly throughout rooms up to 25m2. You should consider the MaxLight ML400 for larger rooms, such as:

  • Lounge rooms
  • Dining Rooms
  • Open, combined living spaces
  • Large kitchens
  • Wide hallways

Once again, you have the same diffuser options, so this skylight can be tailored to suit your needs. However, it’s important to note that the MaxLight ML400 also comes in a Hybrid version. The ML400 Hybrid features a square diffuser, measuring 400mm x 400mm. Not only does it bring in more light, increasing the lighting capacity to rooms up to 28m2, but it also provides a different aesthetic for your room.

Solar Dimming Options

One of the great things about MaxLight skylights is the solar dimming option. This is available in both the ML250 and ML400 models and gives you greater control over the amount of light in your room. Best of all, it won’t cost you a cent in electricity because the dimming function is solar-powered.

A small solar panel is installed on the roof to power the dimmer mechanism. This mechanism sits above the diffuser and is controlled by a remote control. Perhaps the best part is that no additional wiring is required, so you can install the dimmer function yourself without the need for an electrician.

Contact SolarBright For MaxLight Tubular Skylights Today

SolarBright is your local solar and skylight specialist. We’ve got a huge range of skylight options to suit all homes, old and new. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an old one, we’ve got lighting solutions for you. Cut energy costs by flooding your home with beautiful, natural light. Best of all, MaxLight diffusers only let light into your home, not excess heat, so you can stay cool in summer. Contact the team today to get started.

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How Does a Dome Skylight Work? A Skylight Guide

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The term dome skylight is a popular name for a tubular skylight that collects light through a dome on the roof. Skylights are a great way to bring in natural light and add character to your home. There are several main types of skylights so it’s important to know how they work before you purchase. In this guide, we explain important points about skylights to ensure you make the right choice for your home.

Main Types of Skylights

There are different styles of skylights available, and typically we think about three main common categories:

  • Fixed skylights: These are also referred to as ‘roof windows’ because they are essentially just a glass panel in your roof that acts like a window. It lets light in, and you can see through it at night. These are usually best suited for homes with a small roof cavity, or no roof cavity at all (in the case of sheds and garages).

 

  • Tubular or dome skylights: Very popular in the Australian market, tubular skylights feature a access point on the roof, the clear dome. This captures sunlight is captured from all angles. From there, a mirrored tube runs through your roof cavity to the diffuser. This is lens in the ceiling that transfers the light into the room.

 

  • Solar skylights: Rather than a traditional skylight design, solar skylights feature an LED light powered by a small solar panel on your roof. Versions are available with a battery, which allows you to enjoy free lighting day and night.

The type you choose depends on the available space in and on your roof, and of course, personal preference.

 

 How Does a Tubular Dome Skylight Work?

We’re going to talk about the MaxLight skylight, the Australian made tubular (dome) skylight manufactured here at SolarBright. This innovative design ensures quality natural light spills into your home without the additional heat that comes from some skylight varieties.

First, sunlight is captured from all angles via the clear dome installed on your roof. The sunlight then passes through a highly mirrored, anodised aluminium tube. The light bounces down through this tube, amplifying it until it reaches a triple-lens diffuser that’s installed in the ceiling. The diffuser spreads the sunlight throughout the room, giving you free, natural light.

To find out more, check out this MaxLight Skylight video.

Are Skylights Suitable for all Homes?

Yes, skylights are suitable for most homes. This dependant on your roof design which can limited the options you can choose. Fortunately, tubular skylights are suitable for almost every home, if there is space for the metal tube that runs from your external roof to your internal ceiling.

MaxLight tubular skylights can be installed in almost any room, and they don’t have to be located directly above a specific area of the home. The tube section of a tubular skylight can be manipulated to an extent, so you can enjoy light where you need it.

In those situations where a tubular dome skylight cannot be installed there is always the option of installing an LED solar skylight.

Tubular Dome Skylight Energy Efficiency

While tubular skylights are great for providing natural light, there are other benefits too. Since a high-quality tubular skylight installation reduces the need for artificial light, you’ll start saving money on electricity costs straight away.

More importantly the MaxLight tubular is energy rated. In summer a MaxLight dome skylight gives you plenty of natural light but won’t let in the heat. In contrast heat transfer through the glass is an issue with roof window type skylights and needs to be managed carefully.

If you are considering a roof type of skylight our advice is to install a remote-controlled blind on the skylight. These cost several hundred dollars per skylight. However it is the only way the to help alleviate heat transfer into the room on hot days.

Installation Advantages of Tubular Skylights

Ease of installation is major advantage of a dome skylight advantage.  A skilled installer only takes a couple of hours per skylight. Some tiles need be removed, or a hole cut in a metal roof to install the leak proof flashing. The dome attaches to this flashing as well as the reflective metal tube that transfers the light downwards.

A hole is cut in the ceiling to take the diffuser (lens). The metal tube is attached to this just above the ceiling.

Installing a MaxLight skylight only takes a couple of hours.

With a traditional style window skylight, a hole bigger enough to take the window needs to be opened in the roof. This needs to be framed to the right size to take the skylight. A hole the size of the skylight needs to cut and framed in the ceiling. Then an open light well, needs to be constructed from the room up through the roof cavity to the window in the roof. This light well needs to be framed up and then plastered to match the ceiling. After plastering it needs to be painted.

This involves the use of several different trades and takes some days. This can be spread over a couple weeks depending on tradie availability. It is much more expensive the installing a MaxLight tubular skylight.

Solar-Powered MaxBeam24

Thanks to SolarBright, you can now get a skylight that works both day and night. The MaxBeam24 system consists of a solar panel, battery, and a ring of LED lights inside your skylight tube. During the day, your skylight works as normal letting in sunlight while the solar panel collects energy to store in the battery. When the sun goes down, you can access solar power from the battery to power the ring of LED lights in the tube near your diffuser.

This system is completely independent of the power grid, so you can access free, solar-powered lighting 24 hours a day with a MaxLight and MaxBeam skylight installation.

 

Looking for the Best Skylights?

When you want high-quality skylight solutions for your home, look no further than SolarBright. Our MaxLight skylights feature cutting-edge technology that fills your home with natural light. We can even include the MaxBeam24 solar-powered lighting solution for evenings.

With these innovative lighting solutions, you can cut energy costs and enjoy beautiful, natural light in your home all day. To find out more, check out our MaxLight Skylights today.