LED under cabinet lights are the most convenient and practical application available for homeowners. You can understand by the name that these are lighting fixtures installed under the cabinets and are primarily used inside the kitchen area. The cabinet lighting illuminates the space directly below the cabinets.
Kitchen lighting is an essential component of the cooking area where it helps read recipes and cook food. They not only improve the illumination but also improve the design aesthetics of your kitchen space. In addition, they are helpful when reselling the property as they improve the house’s interiors.
The under cabinet LED lighting has several advantages attached to it. The primary advantage is they are very resourceful and efficient. The under counter lighting is installed directly into the cabinet, which is already there inside the kitchen. The lights are cost-effective and save a lot of energy in comparison to the fluorescent and halogen components. Let’s discuss the features of LED under cabinet lights and traditional fixtures like fluorescent and halogen.
The downside of fluorescent and halogen lights
These are old lighting fixtures used inside the kitchen space in the 90s and early 2000. The downside of both fixtures are –
Fluorescent
- Continuous switch OFF and ON degrades the lifespan of the fluorescent fixture.
- The light contains harmful gases and is dangerous if broken. Disposal is a challenge.
Halogen
- The lifespan of halogen bulbs is poor in comparison with LED under cabinet lights.
- Out of the total power consumption, only 10% of it used in actual lighting. Heat dissipation is an issue with halogen bulbs.
The benefits of LED under cabinet lights
- The lights are energy-efficient and have a ridiculously longer lifespan when compared to h alogen and fluorescent light fixtures. They are operational for more than 50,000 hours.
- The product is certified under ETL and Energy Star standards, making them rebate eligible in many states.
Advantages of under cabinet illumination
The under cabinet lights make efficient use of lights. It directs the light where it is needed and covers most of the area.
The kitchen under cabinet lighting is aesthetically pleasing and creates an ambiance of opulence inside the kitchen area.
They emit less heat when compared to the traditional fixtures. As a result, the under lights are much more energy-efficient and provide perfect lighting in the interiors.
The LED lights have a higher level of CRI (color rendering index), showing the actual colors of the objects. One can also use optional dimmers for under cabinet light sources for better dimming function when no one is present in the kitchen space.
Types of LED under cabinet lights
Traditional linear fixtures
They are the most popular choice for lighting purposes. They are used to illuminate areas like countertops, stoves, and the sink area.
Compared to the traditional fluorescent and halogen lights, LED removes dark shadows from the kitchen space and provides illumination.
They emit the light evenly across the length and width of the kitchen space. As a result, the operating cost is low, and the fixtures are long-lasting.
Most of the linear fixtures have two installation options – Plug-in and hardware installation.
LED puck lights
They are a favorite among designers. The puck lights are compact and small. They can deliver ample brightness to the kitchen area and are energy-efficient.
The puck lights go perfect with the open shelves ad glass cabinets. They are surface-mounted or recessed as per requirement.
The puck light creates a directed look required inside the kitchen area and can operate in low voltage.
Therefore, the United States states
LED Strip lights
The strip lights can create functional detail lighting, which is perfect for the under cabinets. After installation, they can be seen like small dots shining brightly on the countertop and give a consistent look.
The strip lights are compact and customizable. They can be cut at the desired length and allows custom installation, which sets with the kitchen decor.
They are flexible and can be used in the long run. In addition, the lights have higher IP ratings, saving them from dust, accidental spill, and moisture presence inside the kitchen space.
The color temperature of light is mentioned in Kelvin (K). The Kelvin range between 2700K to 3400K is considered warm, and 5000K is for “cool” temperature. Therefore, the mentioned color temperature brings a feeling of comfort and warmth inside the kitchen space.