Greener lighting/venting options

[JTSmithson]

Was at the MN State Fair yesterday and first of all did the proper thing and ate way too much deep-fried things on sticks. But I also saw this. Looked very interesting and was wondering if anyone has any experience

The other thing that I've seen before but also at the fair yesterday was these Solar powered attic vent. I've seen them at places as common as Costco, but another thing I'm looking at doing to pull heat/moisture out of the attic.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome, positive and negative.

Joe

 

[GarageEnvy]

The solatubes are very popular in my area (central CA). They have far surpassed skylights in number for new installations. Pretty straight forward install on them and they do put out a surprising amount of light. On the attic vent I'd say get a good one. The good one's I've seen are pretty pricey but the cheap ones seem to only last a couple of years. When they are working they are very effective. I plan on adding 2 or 3 of them from natural skylight when the budget permits.

http://www.solaratticfan.com/pages/30_watt.html

 

[Stuart in MN]

In Minnesota you need to be careful with the installation of a Solatube - mainly, if it passes through an insulated ceiling and then through an unheated attic make sure there are no air leaks, and the tube itself may need to be insulated so you don't get water condensation dripping down from it in the winter. I think they are a neat idea, though.

 

[kbs2244]

I am a fan of SolaTube.
As said. it will have to be well installed to avoid condensation problems.
There is senoir housing complex near here with interior wash rooms.
No windows.
It is hard to belive the difference a SolaTube makes.

I am not a fan of the solar powered vents.
IMHO it is over enginnereing.
Too much stuff in a hard to get to place.
If your regular "mushroom" vents are not enough, you just need more.
If you don't want to cut more holes, get one of the wind turbine vents.
Simple, proven, cheap, and they move a lot of air.

 

[Falcon67]

They sell those solar attic vents at Sams, and IIRC they are cheaper than that link. Around $200 I think. We were in there Saturday but I didn't look. Want one for the garage.

 

[JTSmithson]

I am a fan of SolaTube.
As said. it will have to be well installed to avoid condensation problems.
There is senoir housing complex near here with interior wash rooms.
No windows.
It is hard to belive the difference a SolaTube makes.

I am not a fan of the solar powered vents.
IMHO it is over enginnereing.
Too much stuff in a hard to get to place.
If your regular "mushroom" vents are not enough, you just need more.
If you don't want to cut more holes, get one of the wind turbine vents.
Simple, proven, cheap, and they move a lot of air.

the problem is, i don't have any mushroom vents, just straight vents, nothing that is pulling the air out. i'm sure i could put a couple mushrooms up there and problem would be solved, but technology is cool too. i would love to be able to use my big house fan without the worry of condensation building up in the attic and then mold and everything else associated with that mess.

i'm a stickler when it comes to installing, so i think if i spring for a solatube that i'd wrap it with some kind of insulation from keeping warm sun light in the tube away from the different attic elements.

Thanks all!!
Joe

 

[ddawg16]

Yes on the Solatube....

On the attic venting....I think you will get just as much effect going with ridge vents...a lot simpler and still work when the sun goes down.

 

[drmoonshine]

Was at the MN State Fair yesterday and first of all did the proper thing and ate way too much deep-fried things on sticks. But I also saw this. Looked very interesting and was wondering if anyone has any experience

The other thing that I've seen before but also at the fair yesterday was these Solar powered attic vent. I've seen them at places as common as Costco, but another thing I'm looking at doing to pull heat/moisture out of the attic.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome, positive and negative.

Joe

How does it look cloudy days? Other than that it looks like it provide a lot of natural light. Has anyone had the pleasure of seeing them in action?