I’m actually really excited to share this with you because I think it’s going to be a game changer for our home and I hope you’ll love them too. My builder recommended the illume Skylight Alternative to me when we were in the planning stages of our new bathroom. We were getting rid of its dated old skylight and installing a new ceiling where we knocked the WC and bathroom together. So we lost a lot of beautiful natural light, which was, frankly, the only good thing the old bathroom had going for it!
With our budget already stretched, we couldn’t afford a new skylight and the old one would have totally ruined the look of the shiny new bathroom, so a “faux” skylight, as I call it, was an option! We also have the dingiest hallway in the world, so it seemed a good time to try and fix the issue of always having lights on along there too.
Enter: illume! Not a skylight, but the simplest way I can sum it up is a solar-powered diffused light that will cost you nothing to run! Before I get into the specifics, take a look at the before and after from our hallway. Because we chose to install an isolation switch so it could be turned on and off (probably unnecessary in hindsight but I was worried it would be so bright it could wake Sebastian in the mornings because he sleeps with his bedroom door open onto the hallway), you can see what it looks like on and off.
illume is the original product of its kind with a patented technology. Unlike a traditional skylight, you can even install an illume to lower levels, basements and attics — the possibilities are endless! illume’s innovative design cuts the cost of your electricity, with no running costs or batteries. Installation is easy and non intrusive. You can even buy the product off the shelf and do it yourself. And because there’s no electrical, you don’t need an an electrician. You don’t need a big hole in your roof either, which people often worry will result in a leaky roof.
Here’s how it works…
Solar Panel: illume is powered by a solar panel positioned on the roof, cutting the cost of your power bill, by reducing the need for electrical lighting or batteries in your home’s dark rooms or spaces.
Transfer Cable: The solar power is transferred to the light panel via a cable, simulating the lighting conditions outside. illume automatically comes to life at sunrise, and its intensity varies during the day depending on sun exposure and cloud cover outside.
illume Light Panel (these come in different sizes, round, rectangular or square): The lighting panel uses Ambient Light Technology (A.L.T), bringing light into the dark areas of your home, creating the feeling of harmony between external and internal lighting conditions.
They’re perfect for rooms with no windows, built-in robes, walk-in pantries and really anywhere with bad natural light. They’re a fraction of the cost of a traditional skylight, you can install them yourself (or contact one of their trusted installers near you), and they cost nothing to run.
I’ll admit I was a little sceptical and worried it would look, well, tacky or too fake! Or that the light would be like what I call hospital light! But I genuinely think they look really good and am planning to get them in our bedrooms now too. We want a traditional skylight in our living room and I do think there are some rooms where it is worth spending the extra money and being able too see the sky, not to mention the benefits of real daylight! For other rooms however, the illumes are ideal and I really do recommend you look into them.
Disclaimer: We were gifted our illume in return for an authentic review.
Comments
Hi Jen, which style of mounting did you choose? Thank you
Flush mount and the premium version. Hope that helps!
Agree totally Jen! We have just installed a 300mm square Illume during our powder room reno. As a room without a window, a light was always needed to be turned on but now natural and diffused light is available whenever the sun is up. It’s going to save on energy but more importantly I love the look and feel in this room now.
Isn’t it magic?! We have the 40cm square in the bathroom and the 120cm long one in the hallway. Definitely considering for all bedrooms now!
I’m wondering about the size of the light in your hallway – I see you went for a large light. Based on design, I too would choose a long rectangle light to go in a long rectangular space. I have a similar space to light. But according to the specs Illume give, I only actually need a small square or round light for the size of the hall area. Do you find your light too bright? Would you choose based on the light output Illume recommend, or the shape that will look best when installed?
All I can say is that mine feels perfect, not too bright, and it’s also aesthetically pleasing to have a long and thin light in a long and thin hallway. I guess it also depends on how dingy your current space is and mine was VERY dingy! Jen
Hi Jen I have a beautiful formal dining room with lovely grass cloth wallpaper however I’ve little natural light in there so the wallpaper doesn’t really shimmer like it should do you think the Illume would make the wallpaper shine? Or should I spend the extra for a proper skylight? Thanks.
I think so, yes! But it’s really more to do with the cost difference (which is significant!), how often you use the room etc.
Hi Jen,
I have a long hallway on the lower level of a 2 storey building, whih does not have direct access to the roof. How do i connect the solar panel to the light panel?
Regards
Helen
I know it’s possible, Helen, let me ask an expert to come back and explain here as an answer. Jen
Hi Helen. I asked Illume and they said:
“There are a couple of options depending on your situation 1. Through the Wall cavity or 2. Using a conduit system externally. If you like to contact us and we can help further. http://www.illume.com.au“
Hi Helen, there are a couple of options depending on your situation
1. Through the Wall cavity or 2. Using a conduit system externally. If you like to contact us and we can help further. http://www.illumeskylights.com.au
How much does it cost with an isolation switch and how the it get connected as they don’t show how’s it’s done in the video clip ?
Depends on the size and model and it is possible to DIY but I got an electrician to do it because of the isolation switch going into a witch with other ‘real’ lights. There’s a lot more info on their website which is linked at the end of the blog post.
So how do you use the light at night. Can you turn on at night
You have a normal light as well for night time 🙂
Hi Leoni,
We have a AC Driver option. This connects your illume to mains power and allows you to use the illume at night. Solar by Day power by Night! Best of both worlds.
Hi Jen, can 1 solarpanel service 3 or more Illume lights, or do you need 1 solar panels for each light?
Thanks
Isabella
Good question, I’m not sure! you’d have to ask them I think. They’re pretty small so I’d guess one each.
Hi Isabella,
Our Apologies, we have just seen your comment. I’m not sure if you have already contacted us. However you can put a number of illume panels on one solar panel, It’s called a Multi system. If you would like to contact us we can help you out further.
Cheers, illume
We have a raked timber ceiling with exposed rafters. What would be the best method to fix illume skylight In family room and kitchen.
Hi Pauline. You’d be best to contact Illume via their website for expert advice!
Hi Jen,
Now that you’ve had the illume for a few years, have you had any problems with them? I’m a bit concerned about the short warranty.
Also, is the light the illume provides different to the light an electric light would provide?
Thanks
Michelle
No issues at all! And yes, it is different to electric light. I’d say more true to filtered daylight but still not the same as that!