Light-emitting diode, or LED, fixtures serve as an efficient alternative to fluorescent and incandescent lights. LEDs offer a potential energy savings of 82 to 93 percent compared to traditional lighting types, according to the Lighting Design Lab. With their small size and long service life – up to 100,000 hours – LEDs lend themselves to under-cabinet lighting. Before you make the jump to under-cabinet LED lights, however, consider your space and your options.
1. Consider LED push lights for temporary or budget-friendly under-cabinet lighting. Department stores sell these battery-powered puck-shaped lights for under $10, as of 2012. Push lights might not feature the prettiest exterior aesthetics, but they get the job done for casual spaces, such as workshops or offices.
2. Determine how much light you will need. As a point of reference, remember that kitchen counters – often lit by under-cabinet fixtures – need about 4 to 10 watts of power per foot with 5 mm LEDs or about 20 watts per foot with high-power LEDs. For precision lighting, you'll need low-output lamps in tight clusters or evenly-spaced high-output LEDs.
3. Choose between linear LED lights or pucks, both of which cater to under-cabinet and display lighting. One or two LED pucks per cabinet typically provide enough light while linear LED strips must run the length of the cabinet to provide even lighting. Both fixtures last for decades, but must be completely replaced when they exprie. A third option, compact and flexible LED ropes, provide lighting for very tight under-cabinet spaces.
4. Check the CCT rating. This specifies the hue, or color temperature, of the bulb, measured in kelvins. LED lights in the 2,700 to 3,500 kelvin range output a warm tone suited to wood, warm-colored tiles and copper colors. Select cool-hued LEDs in the 3,500- to 5,000-kelvin range for glass shelves, glass tiles, stainless steel or other cool-colored environments.
5. Pick your color. White LEDs provide basic, efficient light for utilitarian purposes, but manufacturers also offer colored LEDs, including red, blue, yellow and green. A soft blue light adds a peaceful glow to the under-cabinet space while strongly colored lights add a dramatic effect to the space, potentially accenting your current décor.
6. Select frosted lenses for uniform, diffuse light or clear lenses for narrow, concentrated distribution.
7. Determine your budget. LED pucks generally sell for under $100 while strip lights retail for about $100 to $200. LED ropes reach prices as high as $900, as of 2012. Different types of LED lights require similar installation procedures, including running cables, wiring light switches and cutting holes in cabinets. If you don't feel qualified to perform the installation, incorporate the cost of professional installation into your budget – the average electrician in 2012 charges about $60 an hour.
