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annac54

Undercabinet replacement lighting

annac54
12 years ago

We are updating our kitchen and thought it might be nice to update the undercabinet lighting. We currently have 6 30 watt fluorescent 36" fixtures. They all work off the same switch, and we don't plan to change that. There are quite a few recessed can lights in the ceiling, so the undercounter lights are not really needed for task lighting, more for general illumination when we don't have the overhead lights on.

We thought that replacing them with LED fixtures might be good, but I have no idea what size/wattage would be appropriate, or what a good brand would be. The lights would not need to be any brighter than what we have, and could even be lower. We don't plan on installing a dimmer. I'm not sure if LED lights have any other color than the bluish lights I've seen in refrigerators, etc.

Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated.

Comments (4)

  • David
    12 years ago

    There are either hardwired or low voltage options. The LED bars do have warm (2700k) to neutral (3500k) to sunlight bright (>4000k)

    You may find the following thread informative

    Here is a link that might be useful: LED UCL DIY

  • annac54
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Thanks, I can see we need to do more research before deciding what to do.

  • Marc12345
    12 years ago

    Since you have florescent tubes I imagine you would be more interested in line voltage options. The line voltage options will have the transformer built in and will allow you to hard wire the lights. Line voltage LED kits will have a transformer built into the unit.

    However they sell a thin electrical box to take the romex to a single outlet that is made for placing underneath cabinets, so if you purchased a low voltage kit you could use that box to take your romex to a plug, then plug the transformer into it, and then run the lights off of the transformer. If your cabinets are next to each other you can use one transformer (if sized appropriately) for all lights. If they're spaced apart you'll have to take into consideration that the low voltage cables aren't typically allowed to be fished in the walls. While low voltage, the current may be quite high so check for codes.

    At my local big box stores they carry mostly low voltage kits. But search online you'll see more options. Kichler is a name that came recommended to me but comes at a price.

  • Jakzof3
    12 years ago

    Use LED under cabinet task lighting..comes in various lengths and are dimmable and are available from kichler...100 for 22 inches...comes in three finishes..our lighting architect chose these for us.