Fluorescent Undercabinet Light -- Warm Tone

14 years ago

I have fluorescent undercabinet lights -- they are T5. I don't like the light that it produces. It's very white -- almost a bluish white. Is there a lightbulb that I can buy that will cast a warmer tone? Thanks.

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Comments (6)

azlighting
14 years ago
Take he bulb out and look at the K number on it. It should be labeled T5, 18W 6500K or 65K or similar.

For a warmer light output, get a lower K factor, something around 3000K to 4500K. I'm thinking you have either 5K or 65K lamp.
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tj_shopper Eng
Original Author
14 years ago
I just checked and it said 4100K. I guess it's not as white as it could be considering there are ones higher in number. Where do you suggest I go to find the lower K factor? Will the big box stores have them? Thanks for your help!
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I have different lengths of T-2's under my cab with warm light bulbs. I LOVE them! I don't notice any difference in the light color because of the size. You wouldn't even know they are under the cabs as you can't see them at all. They look great on at night by themselves. Really pretty! They are hardwired into an on/off switch that I turn on as I enter the kitchen. I told my contractor I wanted T-3's. He wanted me to go halogen as that is what he is used to installing. Doesn't like flourescent. I stuck to my guns but he got me T-2's. I think they are Pegasus but not sure. I didn't want the heat with the halogens, nor the expensive electricity use. Well, I now have a convert. He loves my fluorescent lights! I learned about them from the helpful folks on this website. Contractor, however, won't install plug mold again--had a horrible time with that one, but one out of two isn't bad and I love the look.
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sea_dragon
14 years ago
For warm light, look for 2700 to 3000 K bulbs. They are sometimes labeled as "warm white" or even "kitchen and bath". You should be able to get them at almost any big box store. 4100K bulbs are the horrible "office" white. Anything above that looks too blue. Food looks the best under warmer lighting which is why restaurants use them.
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tj_shopper Eng
Original Author
14 years ago
sea_dragon,

I agree. My lights look horrible. I have warm Venetian Gold granite and a very pretty tumbled marble backsplash. Everytime I open my undercabinet lights, I feel like I'm in the hospital -- not good!

Thanks, I will go and check out the stores this weekend. I just needed to know what to look for. I hate going to these big stores and wander aimlessly down the aisles.
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sea_dragon
14 years ago
Hey TJ,

Be sure to post back and let us know how you make out. One other thing to look for on bulbs it the CRI rating (Color Rendering Index). This is a measurement of how accurate colors look under a bulb. The higher the CRI, the better. Some of the newer tube fluorescent bulbs have a rating of 92 which is very good.

Those 4100K "office" bulbs are usually rated in the low 80s or even lower.

Good luck!
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tj_shopper Eng
Original Author
14 years ago
I went to three big box stores today (Home Depot, Lowes and Menards). All three stores have just one type of T5 bulbs and they are 3000K or more. The CRI rating was in the low 50's. How disappointing! They had more selection for the T8 bulbs. I was tempted to buy the 3000K bulb but each store didn't have enough. I didn't want to play the scavenger hunt thing where I would go to all the stores and piecemeal them. I'd rather buy all of them at the same store and the same make -- some were Phillips and others were Sylvania. They range about $6 per 12 inch bulb.

Does anyone know of a good website where I can order them on-line? Thanks! I was hoping I had better news to report.
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Fluorescent Undercabinet Light -- Warm Tone

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azlighting

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Fluorescent Undercabinet Light -- Warm Tone

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azlighting

tj_shopper EngOriginal Author

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sea_dragon

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sea_dragon

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