How to Update Kitchen Island Lighting

When it comes time to update kitchen island lighting, you need to consider whether you want to install the newer incandescent fixtures that use more efficient bulbs, or whether to go with fluorescent ones. There are great advantages using both types.

Incandescent

These have been the standard bulbs for more than a century. For the most part, they are available everywhere and are fairly inexpensive. You can use these with a dimmer switch to control the level of illumination. Incandescent lamps come in a wide range of wattage choices. However, there are some disadvantages, including the fact the fact that they only last for about 750 hours of operation. As an incandescent lamp continues burning, the light begins to take on a yellow color. Furthermore, they are the least efficient of all types of light bulbs.

Halogen

There are new and improved bulbs on the market today, such as halogen lamps which will burn much brighter and last longer (up to 3,000 hours). Halogen lamps are excellent choices for task lighting since they work well when focusing a direct beam of light on a particular spot. However, they tend to emit yellow light when dimmed, and this dimming leads to a shortened life. They get extremely hot and can burn skin when touched.

Xenon

This lamp is similar to halogen ones but doesn't not get as hot and can be handled without getting burned. They also last much longer–20,000 hours-but carry a bigger price tag than halogen or regular incandescent lamps.

Fluorescent

There have been some great strides toward improving fluorescent lighting in the past decade alone. Technological advancements have improved ballast operations and have developed a great variety of color renditions for fluorescent lighting. These lamps have become very energy efficient.

The once heavy magnetic-type ballasts would create an annoying hum that the new solid-state or electronic models do not. Electronic ballasts allow fluorescent lights to be dimmed as well. Due to their increased energy efficiency, three to five times more light output per watt than a standard incandescent lamp, they have become a popular choice, particularly in work areas of the home like a kitchen island. They also last a long time–up to 22,000 hours. They produce far less heat than a standard or halogen lamp. Plus, they don't change color very much when using a dimmer switch. However, it's a good idea to purchase new fixtures if you're installing this type of lighting. The old magnetic ballasts will still produce annoying hums, even operating with new lamps.

Tips to Remember

• Choose incandescent fixtures for accent lighting because fluorescents, by design and operation, are typically used to illuminate large surface areas.
• Although new electronic ballasts can dim fluorescent lighting, greater dimming control is available through use of standard, halogen or xenon lamps.