Beat power rationing with natural light

Pocyline Karani

Lighting, especially sunlight, is important not only in illuminating the spaces we live in but for the proper functioning of our vision. In the wake of the current power rationing, many people have had to resort to other means of lighting such as diesel generators, which are noisy, uneconomical, inefficient and pollute the environment.

Those who have the opportunity to exploit natural lighting are doing so. Other than windows, modern technology avails ideal yet economical means to light up the home.

A light tunnel is a beautiful yet functional option that will not only add a sense of touch to any room but will also bring natural light into your interior, making work and relaxing far more enjoyable.

The beauty of natural light is often underestimated and unappreciated. Natural light is so important that humans would fail to thrive without it. This is so true that countries like Norway report suicide seasons with peaks occurring in late autumn and early winter, the months with long nights.

This dome-mounted tube transmits the sun’s rays to the light diffuser, which leads inside the house. [Photos: Martin Mukangu/STANDARD: Courtesy: Classic Mouldings Ltd]

This is one reason why some people will spend millions of shillings to ensure they allow as much natural light in their working places as well as at home. Lack of proper natural lighting is also associated with tiredness, sluggishness and depression.

How it works

Light tunnels, or the application of skylights, are ecologically beneficial and a big plus to organisations and homes that use electricity for lighting during the day.

Further, it translates into big saves on electricity costs and goes miles towards contributing to efforts of greening the earth and conserving it for future posterity. Light tunnels are modern and eco-friendly solutions that provide great energy saving opportunities.

The application of skylights makes it possible to illuminate all rooms in a house or building including those that have not been fitted with vertical or roof windows. The versatility of light tunnels extend into the night, although they would have to be boosted with an electric light kit to convert it to a source of artificial light.

The quality of light transmitted is not affected by weather conditions as it offers a much higher colour-rendering index than any artificial light source. Dimly lit interiors such as bathrooms, dressing rooms, corridors, staircases or basements can be scary to use at night but with a light tunnel, comfort is enhanced.

Daylight gets into the light-transmitting tube through the dome mounted onto the roof. The sun’s rays are reflected from the walls of the flexible, reflective tube and directed downwards onto the light diffuser. Light is then transferred through the reflective tubing to the space inside the building that requires more light.

A diffuser is installed or fitted onto the ceiling, evenly spreading the light and thereby illuminating the whole interior.

Mirror reflections

The function of the dome is to absorb natural light and direct it to the tube. The other component is the reflective tubule tunnel, which consists of a certain degree of increased reflective co-efficient light transmitter.

The light is dropped into a prismatic and transparent diffuser by way of mirror reflections. The light is restricted by vibration and is sent into the room, brightening up the area while causing no reflexes on smooth surfaces such as computer displays, screens or even glossy walls.

 

 

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