Cellulose Insulation Around Can Lights

Insulation should be kept away from recessed can lights because the insulation does not allow the heat generated by the lights to dissipate.

Cellulose insulation around can lights.

Notice that i said regular insulation such as fiberglass or cellulose insulation not spray foam insulation. Loose fill cellulose is relatively inexpensive yet still has an r value of about 3 5 per inch of thickness compared to fiberglass r value between r3 to r4 per inch. Instead of hanging down from the ceiling like conventional fixtures can lights extend up into the attic so that the only part you see is the front edge of the. How to insulate around can lights.

If i replace those bulbs with leds will that reduce the heat enough so i can insulate around the existing lighting cans. The recessed lights in my house are accessible from the attic but there s no insulation around them because it says on the fixtures that they need to vent the heat generated by incandescent bulbs. Ic or in contact recessed can lights are designed to be installed with regular insulation installed directly beside or on top of them. Installation costs for blown in insulation costs around 2 a square foot where installation costs for batts is around 1 a square foot.

When walls are already finished injecting loose fill cellulose insulation is one of the few ways of adding. How to install cellulose insulation around recessed lighting. When heat builds up in a recessed can light it can. Loose fill cellulose insulation can settle around and conform to most of the obstructions found in walls and attics.

So for an average installation of a single room of 240 square feet blown in insulation of either fiberglass or cellulose will cost between 650 and 670 while the same space insulated using fiberglass. The cans have holes in them so my precious warm air is leaking right out of these areas. Spray foam insulation is an air seal and works a lot better than regular insulation does. I took a look at the insulation around the recessed light cans from the attic and there is none.

I have a ranch home in the kitchen there are recessed lights. After the lights are installed be sure to double down on the amount of insulation above the lights. Here s what you can do to prevent problems if you plan to install recessed lights that are going to protrude in to your attic make sure they re airtight ic rated lights.