skip to main content

Heating & Air Conditioning

Insulation around recessed lighting

13 years ago

I do not know why my elec. did not put IC lights in but they are non-IC recessed lights. Then the spray foam put in a wide berth of foam more than 3 inches around the can. Am I wasting my time thinking of adding insulation with foam board to and batt to "close the gaps around the can?

Would it be worth it? Would I really be saving that much?

Thanks,

Bryan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

baymee
13 years ago
If you follow the clearances by code, go ahead and fill it in. I don't think your savings will amount to much.
dedtired
13 years ago
I had huge amounts of cold air coming in through recessed cans. Fortunately all was IC rated, so I had cellulose blown in that space. Made a big difference but there had been no insulation at all there before. Do you feel cold air coming in the can? If so, I would add insulation. Looks like you are pretty well set already.
Related Discussions
Recessed lighting w/contact w/ insulated ducting
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks for the re dim4fun. Your IC rating clarification is more helpful than IC document pics which simply show fiberglass in contact with the fixture. Thermal cutoff on the Halo is 194 F which surely won't be an issue with fiberglass, a bit concerning with paper backed foil. If this covering of the duct failed, it would not be a good thing in the humid Houston climate. btw - Sorry for the repost of this issue. I'm a newbie here and did not realize posts might not be shown in chronological order. I'm trying to figure out how to delete the second post!!
...See More
Recessed light in low roofed nook & insulation concerns
Q
Comments (3)
What type of foam and how many inches will be applied to the roof deck? If the space above the light fixture is larger than the planned thickness of the foam, then there should not be a problem. Even if it were a little smaller the foam will form a good seal. A little less foam in a small area is not going to have much of an impact in my opinion. It would be interesting to see how the foam is applied in the tight space around the fixture. I guess the installer has a wand to get into tight spaces. What is the purpose of the strapping across the joists? Is to create an air gap for ventilation? I don't like to see that wire sitting on top of the joists. The electrician was too lazy to run the wire through the joists. It would very easy to pierce the wire after the ceiling is installed if you ever wanted to hang something from the ceiling. It is unlikely to happen, but a bad installation practice.
...See More
Recessed lighting, insulation removed can I reinstall insulation first
Q
Comments (3)
Yes you can retrofit, if you have clearance. I installed a pot light near the edge of the house (hip roof) and it came close to not fitting. I agree with ICAT cans. Otherwise you would have to get in the attic and spray foam around the entire can to make it air tight (leave electric box accessible). Having air tight pot lights in an unconditioned attic is very important. Not important if the pot lights are between floors in the conditioned space.
...See More
Best insulated recessed light to go in attic
Q
Comments (4)
You should not put true recessed lighting in a ceiling that is right below the attic. The new LED disk lights do not have the problems that traditional recessed lighting does. https://structuretech1.com/recessed-lights-are-evil/
...See More
brickeyee
13 years ago
"Fortunately all was IC rated, so I had cellulose blown in that space."

Cellulose and fiberglass are not very effective at stopping air leaks.

One way to spot leaks in either is to look for the dirty spots that dust in the moving air has left on the insulation.
homebound
13 years ago
That would drive me nuts and I'd probably swap them out or secure some insulation behind them without touching the housing.

Just wondering - is it possible to make those lights air-tight by taping off any adjustment holes & grooves in the can with aluminum tape?

Also, could rock wool insulation be used if it were in contact with those hot cans? Would that be a fire hazard or not?
homebound
13 years ago
I retract my consideration of rockwool against the light. Dumb. Sorry about that.
brickeyee
13 years ago
"I retract my consideration of rockwool against the light."

It is not the thermal insulation that is the problem, but the electrical insulation on the wires and sockets.

One of the requirements for IC light is a temperature sensor that shuts the light off if it overheats.

They are normally simple bi-metallic strip switches.

I cannot tell you how many time I have had complaints of can lights blinking on and off after the owner installs larger than rated bulbs.
The extra heat raises the temperature enough for the thermostat to shut the lights off, then back on when they cool, then off when they heat up, then on...
energy_rater_la
13 years ago
go to cooper lighting with the model number of the IC Halo brand light you have installed.
purchase an air tight insert that installs from inside of the house. This is a reflective baffle insert that seals the air leakage from the attic.
use a cfl.
then insulate with conventional insulation.
the insert will stop the air flow, the insulation can be in contact with the can. it is the air leakage through the insulation that causes it to not perform.
best of luck.
dedtired
13 years ago
Ecomech -- it is against the rules of this forum to promote your own business.

As for air coming through the cellulose, it has not been a problem. We had a huge windstorm the other night, so I put my hand up to the recessed can lights and could not feel any air at all. It felt pretty much the same temperature up there as in the rest of the room. There must be a good foot of cellulose above the lights, if not more, so unless the wind were to blow it aside, I don't see how it could blow through. It is "dense packed." I'm far from an expert, but just reporting on my first-hand observation.
energy_rater_la
13 years ago
housebound, IC can's can't be externally sealed with foil tape. this is why there are products that safely retrofit these lights.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Cool Your House (and Costs) With the Right Insulation

By Buckminster Green LLC

Insulation offers one of the best paybacks on your investment in your house. Here are some types to discuss with your contractor

LIGHTING Get Your Home's Recessed Lighting Right

By Elements of Style

Learn the formula for how much light a room needs plus how to space downlights, use dimmers and more

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

WINDOW TREATMENTS Easy Green: 9 Low-Cost Ways to Insulate Windows and Doors

By Laura Gaskill

Block drafts to boost both warmth and energy savings with these inexpensive but effective insulating strategies

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Natural and Recycled Materials

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Consider sheep’s wool, denim, cork, cellulose and more for an ecofriendly insulation choice

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Get a Recessed or Wall-Mounted Medicine Cabinet?

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right bathroom medicine cabinet and get it installed

LIGHTING Recessed Lighting 101

By Lisa Frederick

Looking to brighten a drab, dim space? Recessed lighting may be your answer. Here's what you need to know

BATHROOM DESIGN Recess Time: Boost Your Bathroom Storage With a Niche

By Tiffany Carboni

Carve out space behind the drywall to add shelves or cabinets, giving you more room for bathroom essentials and extras

MATERIALS Woodipedia: Maple Is a Marvel Around the House

By Marci Crestani

A heavy hardwood with lots of potential, maple appeals to modern sensibilities and won't break your budget

Sponsored

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

233 Reviews

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

More Discussions

Mount range hood to wall or ceiling?

19

A/c making humming sound

4

Typical charge to install fuse

34

Replace rusted swamp cooler panels with aluminum sheeting?

2

is this leak due to condensation?

23