Insulation Around Recessed Lighting In Attic

In order to cover your recessed light cans with insulation you need to have ic rated insulation contact cans installed regardless of the type of light installed in the can.

Insulation around recessed lighting in attic.

Pushing the insulation away is not an effective solution since it creates air passages in the building envelope and wastes energy. Safest insulation around recessed lighting rock wool also called mineral slag or mineral wool is the safest least flammable insulation option around recessed cans. How to insulate around can lights. Up in the attic clean the ceiling surface around each fixture slit the cover to accommodate the electrical cable and place the cover over the fixture.

Turn off the lights and leave them off for at least 10 minutes before you touch them. Place a stepladder under one the lights climb it and remove the bulb. If you are using incandescent bulbs the cans can get hot. The box should be sized so that there is at least an inch of air between the ic fixture and the box.

Smartcap attic recessed light cover is a pre assembled easy to install fire rated recessed light cover that simply unfolds into a perfect cap over non ic rated attic light fixtures requiring a 3 gap between fixture and insulation. Insulating around recessed lighting. Rather keep that insulation in the attic and other areas away from recessed cans and use a different less flammable option around recessed lighting fixtures. Apply the sealant around the cable and along the edge of the cover where it rests on the ceiling.

It s best to build an air tight box out of rigid foam insulation with the seams sealed with contractors tape. Look for a label marked ic inside the. Since you mentioned your cans have holes in them they are most definitely not ic rated. Once this has been installed from the attic side it s possible to spray foam over the box.

You can stem the flow of air and money by air sealing your light fixtures from the inside with just a roll of painter s tape a can of spray foam insulation and a tube of painter s caulk. Make your next attic insulation project that much easier by adding a smartcap attic recessed light cover to your list of hard working insulation accessories. Stuff a little insulation into the gap of the ic rated cans between the can and the ceiling drywall to prevent heat from flowing into the attic from the room below. Now it will be safe to heap insulation onto that spot.

If you have recessed light fixtures in your home you may also have a significant volume of conditioned air escaping into your attic.