Kitchen Ideas Faqs

Do you leave front porch or backyard lights on at night? Or do you leave a kitchen light on? Do you leave front lights or rear floodlights on at night? What about a light on over the kitchen sink or in the bathroom or something? Just wondering the norm.

Is it against electrical code to have my microwave wired to the same circuit as my kitchen lights? Is it against electrical code to have my microwave wired to the same circuit as my kitchen lights (and possibly more)? I think I recall that major appliances require their own circuit. I know electrical codes can depend a lot on the municipality but is this against general electrical codes?

Kitchen lights (ceiling and under cabinet) with different color temperatures? My kitchen's ceiling lights are warm fluorescent tubes. Is it okay to have under cabinet lights of color temperature different from that of fluorescent, like halogen lights? Or, are there any non-fluorescent under cabinet lights that have the same color temperature of warm fluorescent kitchen light?

What's wrong with my kitchen lights? I have two recessed lights in my kitchen that stopped working. My husband checked the breaker and the light bulbs and that's not the problem. He checked the switch and it's fine. There is juice running to the switch but not to the fixtures. I don't see how it could be the fixtures because they would have had to go out at the same time then months later they came on when we tried the switch then two days later they went out again and they haven't turned on again for months now. We would like to fix this ourselves. Any ideas on what's wrong? We live in Las Vegas, if we had to hire an electrician what's the least expensive way to do so?

Why are the lightbulbs in our kitchen lights always burning out? They are recessed lights and take regular lightbulbs. One switch controls five lights. The other switch controls six and is a dimmer. We replaced them with bulbs like the ones that were originally in them: 60 watt bulbs. We don't leave these lights on a lot but the bulbs only last 2-3 months each -- and they are a pain in a neck to change. What could be wrong? Thanks.

How do I fix the kitchen lights so I don't have to use the switch box? Several of the lights are somehow connected, where there is a small box with switches to control each light through an outlet. Each light can be turned on from a push button switch on the wall, but is controlled from the box (all on or off, dimming, etc.) How can I get rid of this function, and put the regular light switches back on the wall, so they all operate individually? ( I prefer to do this myself rather than hire somebody)

Should I attempt replacing regular kitchen lights with can lights. I've installed regular lights before? and done simple electrical-I have a vaulted ceilings, don't know if that matters. Each light fixture takes 2- 60 watt bulbs right now. I think can lights would give me a brighter result than incandescent.

Kitchen lights keep going on & off and now have gone off completly! Any ideas why? I have a nice set of main lights (4 mini lights) in centre of ceiling that went off for two days i.e switch dont turn them on. Then worked for couple of days... then didnt..then did... now off completly for last 2 weeks. Some one said it could be transformer & will need full new light set. Any ideas whats up with them & how i might fix them?

My kitchen lights and garbage disposal doesn't work yet the fridge,microwave, and outlets have power. HELP there is power from the outlets..toaster works fine. Just the lights and garbage disposal won't work. Please help. Is there an easy and inexpensive way to fix this?

My kitchen lights make my new sink look PINK instead of beige. Is there a "light bulb" / filter I should buy? I know it's a strange question, but what color light might counter the "pink" hue in the sink so it looks the same as it does in natural light. Thanks in advance!!!

What causes the flourescent lights in my kitchen to flicker? The flourescents in my kitchen flicker, dim and eventually brighten again. Lights also constantly 'buzz or murmer' something like that. Sure would appreciate your help....new bulbs do the same thing.

Electricity went out in kitchen. Lights work, but outlets do not.. What should I do? We had just bought a little conventional oven for the kitchen so we can bake chicken. Today I had some chicken baking in the little oven and when I came back to check up on it, it was off. I noticed that our rice cooker wasn't powered on either, come to find out, none of the appliances that required power outlets were not working. Including the refridgerator!!! In our other rooms, everything works fine, the outlets are working. It's just the ones in the kitchen, does anyone know what happened?? And what should I do to fix this? Is it something with the circuit breaker? We turned it off and turned it back on but its still not working.... In the electrical panel, how would you know which breaker is out? Is there something on the breakers that shows which one is blown out or do you have to check them one by one?

Does anyone have any suggestions for buying "canned lights" for a kitchen? We are planning to put in recessed lighting in our kitchen and could sure use some help picking them out and if anyone knows how many are usually used I would love to hear from you. Also, what about the pendant lights you see over so many island?

Is there a wiring problem with the lights in my kitchen? The problem started when we had electric work done in our basement and the electrician needed to do something with the wires in the kitchen above the basement. There are two lightswitches that control two different set of lights, and the one still works fine, but the other switch I have to push up again after it is already up before the lights actually come on. Is this something that I should be worried about it? Is there a wiring problem that could perhaps create a fire hazzard?

The florescent lights in my kitchen flicker when I turn them on? ? It's been like this forever whenever I turn on my kitchen light they flicker but never kick on. I want to fix them but I don't know how. I've replaced the bulbs before but it didn't work. Any ideas on what it could be and how I fix it?

Is it difficult to install pot lights (recessed lights) in your kitchen if you don't have attic space above it My kitchen c.1978. It's got a light above the sink and another that's not quite in the middle of the room. If I install the lights, can it be done without wrecking the whole ceiling? Is it something that can be done by a DIY'er? I've installed new fixtures before and have basic knowledge of wiring.

I got really angry when i was standing in the kitchen and the lights went out, what happened? it sounds crazy, but i had so much anger inside of me at that one point and the anger was just filling my head. the next thing i know the kitchen lights where i was standing went out, it was the only lights in the house to go out. I dont really know why that happened, but i was just wondering if that was just a coincident, or was it me that triggered it to happen?

Why do my kitchen can lights keep burning out the bulbs? They are 4" halogens and they are within specified wattage limits. Suckers are 8 bucks a pop. Any suggestions.

How do I remove a GU10 Halogen light bulb from my kitchen spot lights? The bulb is flush with the fixture on each of the 3 spots with no wire poking out and seemingly no means of dismantling. There is no space either side to grip the bulb to turn/pull it so am at a loss of how to get the darned things out! Help!!

My kitchen recessed halogen lights keep going on and off when they are meant to be on - why? Its as if they are overheating, then cooling down. Can I fix it by changing the lights or is it something to do with the voltage? How much will it cost to fix?

Why do my kitchen lights keep burning out..? We have to replace bulbs every week or so, there are 4 light bulbs in the fixture..

How do I split/add a box for my current light (over my kitchen island) to accomodate two pendant lights? The current fixture is attached to one electrical box, but the pendant lights that my wife wants will require two boxes (I assume).

is there a way to estimate number of halogen pot lights and their placement in a kitchen ceiling? we're undergoing a full kitchen reno with a 4 x 7 foot island and want to use pot lights as general illumination

I have removed long strip lights from my kitchen and it has left damaged artex/bare plasterboard.? How can I best cover up or disguise where the old strip lights were? Will new artex be the same colour as the existing? Should I consider repainting the ceiling?

afraid of the dark and turn on room lights to the kitchen to check the light in the refrigerator? Do you have night lights all over the house,and get up to check them.

I have track lighting in my kitchen, but only one bulb turns on. Why won't the other three lights turn on? I tried replacing the bulbs, but they still don't work. I tried replacing the bulbs, but they still don't work. The bulb that works is the one closest to the power inlet.

Why does the city of Santa Monica require that I have flourescent lights in my kitchen? Seriously, I don't get the point. Is it for my safety?

Why does my flourescent kitchen light not want to turn on at first? This has been happening for about 8 months now - when I first turn on the kitchen light switch, the light usually does not turn on at first. Sometimes it lights up dimly, or flickering, but usually not at first. After repeatedly flipping the switch on, off, on, etc, it will turn on eventually. I just replaced one of the tubes a few months ago, so I don't think its the tube itself. Could it be the electronic assembly? I suppose that's about the only other component... Thanks.

I have 2 recess lights in my kitchen,120w reflector flood lights. What option is there to save energy? Can I use those CFL energy star light bulbs that are built in the frame of the light bulb? i have dimmer also.

i recently put in some down lighters and 1 set of my kitchen lights will not turn on? there are no loose / disconnected wires

So you get home from work. Stand in the kitchen, lights out. Pour a skiff of cold water over your head. Nuts? Are you nuts ?

How can I cover a recessed kitchen ceiling loaded with fluorescent lights? Ceiling is approx. 8'x8', recessed about a foot (i.e., 9 ft. high) and has ten 4-ft. fluorescent lights. I'd like to do a grid or something with glass/plastic inserts to cover the fluorescents. Where can I find materials for this?

I'm wiring 4 can ceiling lights in my kitchen, and they will be switch from two 3-way switches? Power is in one of the switch boxes, where it now is a single switch, but am adding 3-way switches, one at the original single switch point and another with the traveler wire between the the two switches. My question is how to wire from the power source and switch to the first of four lights. Do I wire the white wires together and the blacks are the power pigtails to each light or am I thinking that wrong? 3 way switches I understand basics, but not sure how the lights are inter connected . I have rough wired the light outlets from first thru the fourth light with last light outlet having the switch leg going to the 2nd 3 way switch.

I need a houseplant for my kitchen. Very low light and something that doesn't grow very tall. Any ideas? I want to put a plant on my kitchen hutch. There's no natural light....only the kitchen lights. Also, I want something that's low and bushy and won't grow too high (12" or less).

I have a five foot tube light in my kitchen that wont come on? My kitchen light is one of those long five foot lights that normally take a few seconds to come on when u press the switch, Well ours seemed to take ages to come on if at all so we replaced the bulb and it was ok for a couple of weeks but tonight it just wont come on, the ends light up but not the whole thing, does anyone know why this may be? or what we should do? we cant afford an electrician.

when wiring under- counter lights in kitchen, can I spur off sockets, protecting with switched fused spur?

Trying to install a kitchen light. Not sure which wire is positve and which is negative? Its a very old fixture over the kitchen sink. The pre existing fixture was an old shop light. When I removed it the wires were not connected. I have 3 old wires... 2 are the same color and the third is red. I tested the wires with one of those little pen probes and the red wire is hot and one of the same colored wires is hot. The new fixtures has a black and white color with the ground. Is the old red wire to match with the new white wire?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Where do I get replacement plastic covering for my Kitchen light? I have a dropped ceiling fluorescent light in my kitchen that is irregularly shaped and consists of 4 plastic opaque panels - similar to light coverings inside commercial buildings. The panels have become cracked and I would like to replace them but I'm not sure where I can get replacements, especially since they probably have to be custom cut. Where can I find these?

Is it possible to rewire a double florescent kitchen light using the same wiring, to plug into a outlet? I have a florescent kitchen light thats connected with the typical white, black and uninsulated copper ground wire. I have a vacation timer i want to hook up to it, but you have to plug whatever you want to be timed into this vacation timer. Is it possible to cut the original wiring cable, and install a 3 pronged plug on the orignal cableso it will plug in and work?

one light switch runs light in kitchen and fan in livingroom how can i but in a two switch? I have a small house with a kitchen light and ceiling fan in the living room ran from the same light switch, i would love to run the fan without the light in the kitchen having to be one. is this possible? inside the switch there are bare wires and two black that are wired to the switch and two white that are twisted together. can anyone helpl

In a kitchen can you have a light hanging down from the ceiling? electrical regulations on kitchen lights

How difficult is it to replace an electronic ballast in a kitchen light fixture? I have a strange electrical problem. Our kitchen light went out, and after several weeks, suddenly came back on. It remained functional for several weeks, then went back out again. During this time it would intermittently go out for several minutes, and come back on. Both of the bulbs were very dark so we replaced them, to no avail. Everyone we spoke to advised us to buy a new fixture, as the ballast would be more expensive to replace. Oddly enough, I ordered a new, electronic ballast from the manufacturer (Sunpark Electronics) for $6.50. The fixture sells at Home Depot for $85. Can anyone tell me if they think a new ballast will resolve the problem? I'm also curious to know why the electricians & diy'ers were so certain the ballast would cost more than a new fixture. Admittedly, I haven't tested anything as I am respectful of something I know very little about, and quite frankly...it scares me! Thanks in advance.

My kitchen light and/or dimmer switch does not work.? I replaced the bulbs in my kitchen light w/ the new flourescent kind. Unbeknownst to me, you're not supposed to use these with a dimmer switch. I heard a pop from the light, and it went out. I replaced the bulbs w/ regular ones and replaced the dimmer switch. As soon as I turned on the power, it made a popping noise and it won't work again. Please help.

Explain why the kitchen light becames a bit dimmer when a toaster is turned on? Explain why the kitchen light becames a bit dimmer when a toaster is turned on?

Help with changing a kitchen light? Just bought a new light fitting for my kitchen. It has an earth from the block to the light fitting however the wiring in my cieling rose doesnt contain an earth wire. Is it safe to wire this without the earth. the light has double brown / live, double blue / neutral and earth. The wirung in the cieling has double brown / live, double blue / neutral but no earth.

my kitchen lights have been going on when i need them to without me doing anything.? i was making dinner tonight and my kitchen lights went on by there self. my computer goes on by itself also. what do you think is going on?

How many pendant lights should I hang over my small kitchen island? I have a small island its 26 inches wide and 42 inches long. i picked up a pendant light the kind that is colored glass and kind of longish in shape . Its 5-3/4 " W x 73 " H. Is one enough or do I need more, and if I need more how do I space them? those are the assembled dimensions that are printed on the box. its not that big the box is 16 inch by 7 inch

Im having recessed can lights installed in my kitchen. How far apart do we space them?

Can I add lights to kitchen units after they've been fitted or do they have to be done at the time of fitting?

Need to fix fluorescent kitchen lights- fixtures not lighting up completely. Any ideas? I bought new bulbs for my 2 kitchen lights thinking my bulbs were burned out but they're still not working right. I have a round fluorescent light fixture as well as a fixture that contains 6 very long lights. I turn the switch on & it turns on but very very faintly like it's not getting enough power or something. Is this something I can fix myself or should I call an electrician? I don't have too much experience with this stuff but do have a little bit of general knowledge. Any ideas anyone?

A Fire got in my oven fan and the lights wont work in my kitchen and the breaker keeps blowing what happened?

Changing a Florescent Kitchen light to a ceiling fan? I am looking for a do it yourself site that has a great description on how to remove an old florescent light (the type that are in a kitchen) and change it into a celing fan. I have tried to look at various website and nothing seems to have this information!

What type of battery powered led puck lights are most reliable/brightest for under cabinet in our kitchen? so far i seen some lights made by sylvania, but one downside is that you have to rip them off to change the battery and they might not re-stick. and I also seen these: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100496342

What is the proper size for kitchen island light? I am remodeling my kitchen and I will be having a 4 foot by 6 foot kitchen island. I would like to to have 2 or 3 light across pendant lighting installed above it. What is the rule for how big (height and width) it should be? Also, how many inches above the island should the lighting be? I also would like to know has wide the lighting should be to go over a 6 foot island that will have a bar.

Im having recessed can lights installed in my kitchen. How many sq ft will each light cover?