can lights

[lazydays]

We have fluorescent lights in our kitchen and my wife dislikes them. A co-worker replaced hers with what she describes as "expensive" can light that cost approximately $50/each. I'm trying to find out what makes them special. Any suggestions here on what to buy for new can lights?

[lafinfil]

Sounds like they are LED can lights

http://www.lowes.com/pd_78215-3-70644_0_...Id=3334616&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-LightingCeilingFans-_-RecessedLighting-_-3334616+&%22cagpspn=pla%22

the one posted is an remodel insert light - you still need to have the recessed can installed.

[3d]

lafinfil wrote:
Sounds like they are LED can lights

http://www.lowes.com/pd_78215-3-70644_0_...Id=3334616&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-LightingCeilingFans-_-RecessedLighting-_-3334616+&%22cagpspn=pla%22

the one posted is an remodel insert light - you still need to have the recessed can installed.

Those are the same exact ones we have in our kitchen and hallway. LOVE THEM. Great light.

[NewtonMP2100]

so you are looking for a nice set of cans......or a nice set of headlights......???

[deckeda]

Yikes. My basement has twelve 75wPAR30 halogen can lights. I think each puts out 1000 or so lumens. There are 2 switchable groups of 4 and two more groups of 2 (4 switches).

Do the LED equivalents really only provide about half the light?

Our lights got put in 10 years ago. Spent some time picking them out for both lumens and quality of light. $7.50 apiece I think for the bulbs and I thought THAT was expensive. None have burned out because we're rarely downstairs. We want to start using the basement more and so are concerned about electricity usage, but 650 lumens per bulb AND $40-$50 apiece won't work for us.

[LyleH]

Are the fluorescent tubes you currently have the Kitchen and Bathroom kind? These are not nearly as harsh a color temperature as the cool-white, etc. Try ones in the 3000 k range. LyleH

[Carm]

It depends on if you have access to your attic above the kitchen or if you are willing to rip out your sheetrock/drywall to install cans. And of course an electrician.

[davester]

Deckeda, I highly recommend that you try buying one LED can light to try out. Lumen-equivalency is often way off base. In particular, I recommend that you try the Ecosmart 6" LED can light insert from Home Depot. This is actually a rebranded Cree LED, which is much higher quality than those from Sylvania or most of the other brands. Also note that the Ecosmart is only about $32 and can be had for under $30 if you buy in bulk. They use less than 10 watts per bulb and they essentially never burn out. They are only rated at 600 lumens, but in a lot of the incandescent bulbs many of those lumens are wasted due to poor reflector design. I have a bunch of these in our basement studio and they put out a beautiful light and are completely dimmable.

Cree does make a 90 watt equivalent to the CR6 but I don't think Home Depot sells it. You can get it here: http://www.polar-ray.com/Cree-CR6-800L-_p_399.html . Unfortunately, it costs about $55 each, though your payback will probably be fairly quick if you are going to use the room a lot.

Lazydays, the $30 price is only for the bulb and trim. If you don't have cans already installed in your kitchen you'll have to buy the fitting (cheap, only about $20 each) and then have to have them installed (expensive and involved.

[3d]

deckeda wrote:
Yikes. My basement has twelve 75wPAR30 halogen can lights. I think each puts out 1000 or so lumens. There are 2 switchable groups of 4 and two more groups of 2 (4 switches).

Do the LED equivalents really only provide about half the light?

For blinding brightness and bang for the buck, you can't beat halogens. I specifically didn't want blindingly bright halogens for the kitchen. I wanted "pleasantly bright light". I can't give you scientific numbers or data but I can give you a pretty accurate layman's opinion: For a 10x20 galley kitchen 6 of the LED can lights lafinfil linked to is more than enough for a "pleasantly bright light". I work in the creative field and am aware of lighting and temps, etc. It's a very nice pleasant light. Hope this helps.

[davester]

3d wrote: For blinding brightness and bang for the buck, you can't beat halogens.

I take issue with the bang for the buck part of that sentence. The most expensive part of a light bulb is the electricity cost. In that regard, halogens are almost as bad as incandescents (note that technically a halogen "is" an incandescent).