Solatube International Inc., the worldwide leading manufacturer and marketer of Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs), announced the new Thermal Insulation Panel for its commercial product lines, the Solamaster Series and SkyVault Series. This latest innovation will reduce the heat transfer that occurs through surfaces, which is common with fenestration products.
The Thermal Insulation Panel reduces the heat exchange between cold outside air and heated air inside a building or vice versa. By having this thermal barrier in place, energy costs are reduced since less energy is required to maintain a particular interior temperature.
The Thermal Insulation Panel is a ring is composed of two acrylic glazing layers with a one-inch gap. A polycarbonate ring acts as a thermal break and is lined with Solatube’s Spectralight Infinity material for consistent daylight reflectivity. The panel minimizes heat exchange while maximizing light output and is installed at the insulation level of the building.
The Thermal Insulation Panel, paired with Solatube Daylighting Systems, will be superior to current and upcoming energy codes for skylight systems. Per the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the International Green Conservation Code (IgCC), current U-factor ratings for this fenestration category range from 0.76 down to 0.50 BTU/(h ^oF ft²). Independent testing shows that Solatube SkyVault and SolaMaster series systems with the Thermal Insulation Panel installed achieved ratings of 0.43 to 0.25 BTU/(h ^oF ft²), depending on product configuration. These results exceed the anticipated requirement of 0.48.
“With the Thermal Insulation Panel, customers are assured of having the highest performing daylighting system with superior thermal management properties,” reports Neal Digert, Solatube vice president of product enterprise. “This makes an enormous difference for customers striving for maximum energy efficiency and LEED certification, especially when daylighting large volume spaces.”
U-factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping a home or building. The lower the U-factor, the better a product is at minimizing heat exchange. U-factor is particularly important during the winter heating season in colder climates.
For more information visit www.solatube.com/commercial.
About Solatube International
Solatube International, Inc., widely recognized as the daylighting industry innovator, has earned worldwide acclaim for its unrivaled ability to transform interior spaces with natural light. Based in California, the company is the leading manufacturer and marketer of tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) for all types of residential and commercial applications, and it continues to innovate with groundbreaking products that increase energy efficiency and light output, such as the award-winning Smart LED System and the high output SkyVault Series.
For more information about the company and its related products, visit www.solatube.com or call 888-SOLATUBE.