Solar Tubes vs. Conventional Fluorescent

The objective: The objective is to test whether solar tubes produce more light than traditional florescent & incandescent lights. I want to determine which is most cost effective.

Methods/Materials

One Conventional Incandescent Light Bulb, One Florescent Light Bulb, One 11-Centimeter Diameter Drier Duct, Two Simple Light Fixtures Tree, Large Storage Boxes(same size), Box Cutter, and Light Meter. Make three test boxes the same size. Label them: 1. Incandescent Light Bulb, 2. Florescent Light Bulb, or 3. Solar tube. Cut a 10-centimeter hole in each. Put the appropriate light source in each box. Test each light source on three different days and in three different parts of the box (top, middle,& low) using a light meter. Measure both filtered and unfiltered light, in lumens. The different light sources three different days using the light meter. Write down the observation and the results.

Results

My results show that the Solar Tube produced the least light, the least heat, and was the most cost effective for a long-term setting(2+ years). Also, my results show that the incandescent light produced the middle amount of light, the most amount of heat, and was the least cost effective. Last, my florescent light produced the most light( for it's wattage), the middle amount of heat, and was least cost effective.

Conclusions/Discussion

I have found that each light source is suited for it's own particular function. The solar tube made no heat but the least about of light. this was the most cost effective for a long-term project. I found that the florescent light made the most light. This was the most efficient for all the time usage. Last was the incandescent light bulb and it made the most heat, the middle amount of light, and was most efficient if you were to use it very rarely.

This project compared and contrasted Solar tubes and Incandescent & Florescent Light Bulbs.