Welcome to our comprehensive guide to OFF-GRID lighting for DesignerS
Making sure your lighting is as efficient as possible takes on even more importance in off-grid systems due to expensive battery banks that should not be overdischarged and the winter double-whammy of more hours of darkness combined with a reduced solar resource.
For off-grid homes, the lighting focus will likely be more on efficiency than light quality, but you don’t have to compromise—much. As my old FLs and CFLs burn out or get dim at my off-grid home, I am slowly phasing in LED lamps. So far, I’m satisfied. The cost of LED lighting is still high, but not as high as the cost of a new battery bank or adding PV modules.
Because most modern inverters provide a nearly pure sine-wave output, FLs, CFLs, and LEDs or dimmers usually work well. However, modified wave inverters used in smaller or older off-grid installations can cause problems with these newer lighting technologies. Expect an efficiency loss of 10% to 20%—as with any appliance that has inductive or capacitive elements (ballasts, motors, computers, etc.)—and the possibility of flickering or audibly buzzing lamps.
In very small off-grid systems such as for cabins, RVs, tractor-trailers, and boats, DC lighting can make sense, though only with LED fixtures and lamps. (DC CFLs are available, but are expensive, difficult to find, and very sensitive to voltage drop in DC wiring, which shortens their life drastically.) A bonus with DC lighting is that because an inverter is not necessary, it is more efficient. The problems with premature LED burnout have been solved with the latest DC LED products, which use efficient power electronics to provide a constant voltage to the lamp no matter what the battery bank voltage, with built-in energy-saving dimming capability.
Features to Look for:
1. Voltage
In regards to voltage, there are two main types of under cabinet lighting; normal (line) voltage (120V) lighting and low voltage (12V or 24V) lighting. There is no significant difference in energy savings, light quality and life span between high voltage and low voltage under cabinet lighting.
2. Wiring
There are two basic types of wiring used with under cabinet lighting; hard-wire and simple plug in. Hard-wiring involves connecting the lights directly to the existing wiring in the house. Power is drawn directly from a power source. Plug in draws power from a power outlet, often a wall socket.
3. Dimming Capability
We highly recommend that you get lighting with a dimming capability. While this may mean incurring extra cost for the dimmers, it gives you much more control over the lighting. One benefit for this is saving energy. When you do not need the bright light, dimming it can save some energy.
4. Fixture Lenses
Fixture lenses are important in creating a uniform light distribution, minimizing bright reflections on the counter and reducing glare. Halogen and xenon lighting fixtures can be especially glaring making it necessary to include lenses in your purchase.
5. Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency has become an all-important part of residential lighting. If you are looking for the most energy efficient under cabinet lighting option, LED is the place to go. Some LED fixtures use as little as 5 watts while still emitting adequate illumination. An added advantage is that LED lights are easy to dim, adding to their energy-saving capability. They also produce very little to almost no heat.
6. Heat Output
We have already talked a little about heat output under ‘energy efficiency’. To recap, fluorescent, and LED lighting are best when it comes to heat output. They are cool to the touch. This is especially important in a kitchen where certain foods or food ingredients could be sensitive to heat.
7. Ease of Installation
If you are planning to do some DIY installation, you need to consider how easy it is to install a certain type of under cabinet lighting. LED strips and ropes are the easiest to install. Puck lights can be a bit more challenging.
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How to install under OFF-GRID LED lighting
Seeing that they are the most popular option for homeowners, we have provided a brief overview on how to install LED under cabinet lighting. Note that this is a general overview, different types and brands of LED lighting may have different variations of installation.
Strip lights
The first step is choosing the right LED strip lights. The most important thing to check is the brightness. If you plan to use the light for illumination, the brighter the better. On the other hand, if it is for decoration, you can do with less intensive LED strips. To be safe, get the bright options and then install a dimmer for more control.
Installing an LED strip is fairly easy and straightforward. You just need to measure the length of your cabinet along where you plan to install the lights and then cut off the same length from your LED strip. You will need extra low-voltage wires if you plan to connect a dimmer to the strip.
Most strip lights come with an adhesive back with a protective cover on top. This should be enough for most types of cabinets. For rougher cabinet surfaces such as concrete, an extra adhesive can be used. Some strip lights attach to the cabinet using screwed-in clips.
Once you have set up the strip, plug it into a power outlet and switch it on. If it requires hardwiring, you are better off leaving the installation to a trained technician.
Puck lights
When installing LED puck lights under your cabinet, aim for a spacing of 8 to 12 inches. For surface mounted puck lights, you need to drill small holes first. Be careful not to drill all the way through the cabinet. Remove the mounting cap off the light and use it to mark hole positions on the underside of the cabinet before drilling. Then, install the mounting cap, securing it with screws. Twist the light onto the cap.
For recessed puck lights, you will need to cut through the cabinet underside using a hole saw. Secure the mounting cap with screws and twist the puck light in. The power hub connecting all the puck lights to the power outlet also needs to be mounted underneath the cabinet.
For both puck and strip lights, it is a good idea to install them closer to the front face of the cabinet. This hides them from sight, creating a more aesthetic look. Additionally, it prevents any glare from reaching someone else in direct line of the light.
Types of Off-Grid Lighting
Form and Function
Under cabinet lighting is important for the practical lighting needs it meets and the aesthetics it brings to a room. With great advances in lighting technology made over the last decade or so, homeowners have plenty of great options to choose from when it comes to under cabinet lighting. Hopefully, the above guide has helped you decide what kind of under cabinet lighting is perfect for you.