I have low-voltage xenon strips under al of my upper cabinets with the lamps spaced at 6" intervals. I don't notice that they generate any appreciable heat. The lamps themselves are warm when they're on, but they're small. They're certainly not capable of melting chocolate or anything else on the counter below, nor do they heat up the cabinet interiors. If you put your hand very near one of the lamps you can feel some warmth, but once you move your hand a couple of inches away, you can't feel a thing.

My lighting is called Linear Lighting by Sea Gull.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sea Gull Linear Under-cabinet Lighting

I've read posts here that open zenon & halogen fixtures let the heat dissipate more than closed fixtures. However, a LED fixture will produce much less heat than a zenon fixture because of the different technology. My personal opinion is that zenon and halogen run too hot so I won't be putting them in my kitchen.

You also have to consider the color of the light these fixtures produce. Zenon has a yellow tint like incadescent and LED a blue tint. It may make a difference if you're particular about colors like my DH.

wa8b, do you know if yours are "open" or "closed"? Also, do you keep them on for many hours for a decorative effect or just when you are actually working at the counter?

sophie, do I understand it right that you have or going to inslall LED as your undercabinet lighting? Do you know which brand/fixture specifically?

Also, are there any color options with Xenon? I am trying to imitate natural light as much as possible because we don't have windows in the kitchen. I am not sure what the "blue tint" in LED does to the surface it is lighting.

This is exactly what is so confusing about xenon. About half of the people say it is too hot and the other half say it isn't.

Anna,
I was going to install LED but the budget no longer has room for it so I am going with flourescent fixture that uses warm color bulbs.

I have left my xenon UC lamps lit for hours at a time, all day or overnight. There is no detectable heat radiated to the counter tops (soapstone). The bottom of the cabinet gets warm, but not alarmingly so. It may have something to do with the wattage of the bulb + the mounting. At this point in the technology, I still prefer the color of the xenon light.
Casey

Thanks Casey, would you mind telling what kind of xenon you have (strip or not), and what brand?

Annab6.

Mine are open fixtures. Each lamp is rated at 10 watts. The lamp holders attach to a flexible cable and can be spaced as close together or as far apart as you like. Mine are at 6" intervals. The light projected is very even across the countertop. It is not super brilliant, but more than sufficient to evenly illuminate the countertop that would otherwise be shadowed by the upper cabinets. The light is a very pleasant and natural incandescent white color. Excess heat is not something that I've ever had cause to think about. They simply don't give off much heat. The xenon lamps are also dimmable.

I have the under-cabinet lights switched on more than any other lighting in the kitchen. As soon as the sun goes down, the under-cabinet lights go on. When I'm cooking, I also turn on the recessed halogen fixtures that are mounted in the ceiling over the countertops. When I'm done working, the ceiling fixtures usually get dimmed or turned off, but the under-cabinet lights remain on. They remain on until I'm turning out all of the lights in the house at bedtime.

You can see an image of the lamps and fixtures that I have in the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sea Gull Linear xenon lamp & fixture

wa8b, thank you for such detailed description, it is extremely helpful! I feel much better about using xenon now.

Do you have any lighted glass door cabinets? What are you using in those?

I can't speak to the xenon sea gull lights, but I did look at xenon pucks at the big box stores and reject them because they get hot enough (after just a few minutes) to burn your hand if you inadvertently touch them.

Mine are Seagull Linear.
Casey

I have the Lowes brand Pegasus Xenon strips, and they do indeed get hotter than I'd like, although the color of the light is perfect. If you go Xenon, I'd recommend spending the money and getting a higher-end brand that the others are referencing (Sea Gull, Kichler, etc). I suspect that brand makes a big difference here.

(Not that mine are bad, and I got them on such a sale that I really can't complain, but if heat is a concern that's what I'd advise.)

Wa8b: Thanks for the info re undercab lighting. How many lamp holders do you have under your cabs? I realize it all depends on how long your counters are but would like to have some idea of how to space them. For example, I have 24 inch counters on either side of the stove and sink (this is for a cottage). How many do you think I would need? After reading your description this is what I want to use. Thanks very much!

Kulagal - mine are spaced at 6" centered intervals. If you have 24" of width, I'd think you'd need 3 lamp fixtures on either side of the stove and sink.

I bought LED U/C lighting from www.environmentallights.com. I had to spend some time on the phone with the guy figuring out the number and size of strips we needed, but they are installed now and I'm very happy with them.

Never have to worry because they are cool, and I keep flour/spices in the cabinets above.

To those above with the low voltage under cabinet lighting systems,
wa8b, casey, and neverdunn,
Where is your transformer located and did you just hardwire a switch to an outlet to plug the transformer into or wired straight to transformer? And then did you just run the lights from the transformer and did it need to loop back around or just strung out? thanks

I am also confused on understanding these lights.

My GC put outlets in each cab where he is putting undercab lights
and a switch that will work for all.
I noticed a package of lights called Utilitech 120v 6-light xenon accent kit, 3 level touch dimmer. We have never discussed them, I told him that I wanted
undercab lighting and he brought these.

So for those that know, are these good lights? I only have 3 approx. 24" uppers for lighting. I just want to know if I should let him install these or
go get something better?

Thanks so much!
vic