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Show iskylightube Dear Jim: My kitchen and a hallway are dark and I would like to add some natural lighting. Skylights are too expensive and I can't install them myself. Are the lower-coskylight tube kits a good alternative? -- Paul N. st Dear Paul: Installing a skylight tube is an excel- lent lower-coalternative to a large skylight. If you are an average installing one should be well within your skill level, or the dealer can install it for you. When I first learned about skylight tubes, the concept seemed almost too st simple to be effective. As a -test, I installed one in my garage where I restore h cars. My medium-siz- e dia.) one lights the entire two-cgarage. Skylight tubes ara particularly popular for kitchens because the natural light makes foods look more appetizing than when using artificial light. (13-inc- areas caiiferightenup-darf- c moon often creates a glow in the room. In addition to lower cost and easy installation, a skylight tube is more energy efficient than a large skylight. With its smaller opening in the ceiling, a skylight tube loses less heat. The dead air space inside the reflective tube creates insulation valve to further reduce energy loss. There are two basic types of skylight tubes: rigid and flexible. The rigid type is ideal where, there are few obstructions between the ceiling and the roof. Elbow sections, with an angled end, allow you to create few bends to miss obstructions. Fewer bend produce more light output though. If you must wind the tube around more obstructions, choose one with a flexible tube. You can bend it in any direction, similar to a clothes dryer duct. This is probably the easiest type to install for the beginner. one-pie- ce Venting models that include an exhaust vent fan are ideal for bathrooms too. For light at night, choose a model with an optional built-i- n electric light. Models with a prismatic dome capture more light rays in early morning and evening. Snap-o- n mood diffusers are available to vary the lighting. Write for ( or instantly download at www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 920 buyer's guide of eight skylight tube kit manufacturers listing dome I tube I diffuser materials, diameters, warranties, features, prices, and installation instructions. Please include $3 and a business-siz- e SASE. Write to: James Dulley, The Daily Herald, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 James Dulley Dear Jim: I am installing a new super efficient gas furnace that does not require a chimney. My old furnace and water heater vent into the same chimney. Will that still work with my new fur- Bob J. Dear Bob: New efficient nace? condensing gas furnaces" vent outdoors through a small plastic pipe instead of up the chimney. Although both your old fur- - nace and water heater went into the same chimney, there may be separate flue pipes inside of it. Check with your local inspections department about the proper codes for venting gas appliances in your area. Your furnace contractor should be able to inspect your chimney flues and advise you as to their condition and acceptability. ar Also, eo - , - 4) X! O . the full-spectru- m of natural sunlight on our eyes is thought to help minimize problems with the blues that some people experience each winter. A skylight tube is basih cally a small (10 to dia.) tube with a interior. It has a clear weatherproof dome on top that extends through the roof and a light diffuser on the bottom that mounts in the room ceiling. The diffuser looks like a standard ceiling light fixture. The sunlight enters the dome and bounces back and forth off the reflective interior until it shines out the ceiling diffuser. On a sunny day, its free light output is equivalent to tt many light bulbs. so effective are They that the light from full 22-inc- super-reflecti- 0 . c . r ; s a : w 1 x . I 1 ! ' O 0) i Zf 1877-362-272- 0 ID I mm f "mm i 100-wa- FIRST TIME BUYERS Why rent when you can own? Free list of homes available with no money down, under $900 mnth Free recorded message () im i3i mmm 1051 With Washington Mutual Community Access;" you're closer than ever to owning a home. Get rea3y to move. Because you are about to become a homeowner. Introducing Washington Mutual Community Access" Home Loans. A program built on the idea that everyone deserves a chance to buy a home. You don't need perfect credit. You don't need a large down to apply. payment. All you need to do is call Washington Mutual HOME LOANS THE POWER OF www.WaMuHomeLoans.com Jeff Montgomery 259-172- 1 REM AX PEAKS REALTY Equal Housing Lender. Program subject to change. Certain restrictions apply. We have loan ortices and accept applications in Washington Washington Mutual Bank - ID, OR. UT, WA, and Washington Mutual Bank tsb - ID. MT, UT. Mutual Bank fA - many states YES." y |
