How many lights in a kitchen?

[Ratter]

Has anybody any ideas how much lighting is needed in a largeish kitchen - about 15' square.

All I know is that we have 3 x D-type fluorescents (16W each) and it's not enough - is there a rule of thumb per square foot or metre?

I am tending towards low voltage halogen lights but again can anybody tell me the pros and cons of the various types or suggest a good website.

I would like to keep the energy usage down, both for green reasons and also because our power bill is high enough already.

There will also be under-cabinet lighting to two sides.

 

[breezer]

personal choice.

how much too dark is it now, or would you like it twiceas bright as it is now?

if so double the amount of lights you have, and as for lecy bill stick with cfl's

 

[Taylortwocities]

Always make sure there is good light over the sink so that you are not working in a shadow when you are doing the washing up. (Come on, you know you love doing it!)

 

[festa]

Hi Ratter

Are you planning recessed spots or something else?

 

[Ratter]

I'm thinking recessed spots at the moment and probably lots of small ones to avoid "puddles of light" but open to suggestions.

But we definitely need something better than the underfed glow-worms we have at the moment!

 

[festa]

recessed SPOTS

O.K with these type of fittings you will get pots of dark spots in places they are fitted and `ONLY` get light in a direct beam downwards.

If i fit spots in a kitchen i take a vertical line from the edge of the worktop/wall unit (whichever protrudes furthest from the wall) and come 6" into the room.That way you will get the best of the light along the worktops.
As its quite a large room to light your going to need a lot of lamps,so think about running a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit just for these lights.

Also keep in mind this work falls under part P.

 

[Ratter]

O.K with these type of fittings you will get pots of dark spots in places they are fitted and `ONLY` get light in a direct beam downwards.

Maybe not then , but what alternatives are there to spread the light about?

Pendants don't seem very practical in a kitchen, but there are obvious advantages (wiring-wise) in just replacing the three units I have with something providing more light.

 

[festa]

Oh the choices are limitless really ratter,you could use something along the lines of these.....

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101858&ts=12294&id=16316

Your local DIY superstore will have a wider range to choose from but directional spot tracks are the idea im tring to get across.

 

[Steve]

see here and here

CFL CU10s might save the day here.